Quick Answer
The correct answer is Amazon EFS, as it provides a fully managed, shared file system designed for low-latency access from multiple EC2 instances simultaneously within the same AWS Region. This works because EFS uses a distributed NFSv4 protocol that scales throughput and IOPS automatically as your dataset grows, ensuring consistent performance even when the dataset is updated frequently. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between block, file, and object storage for shared workloads—a common trap is confusing EBS Multi-Attach (which is limited to a few instances and specific volume types) with EFS’s native multi-instance access. Remember that EBS is a block device for a single instance, S3 is object storage without file-locking semantics, and S3 Glacier is purely archival. A simple memory tip: if you need a shared file system for multiple EC2 instances with low latency, think “EFS for Every File System.”
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is designing a new application that requires low-latency access to a shared dataset across multiple EC2 instances in the same AWS Region. The dataset is updated frequently. Which storage solution should the company use?
Amazon S3
Why wrong: S3 is object storage, not a file system, and may have higher latency.
Amazon EBS with Provisioned IOPS
Why wrong: EBS volumes cannot be shared across multiple EC2 instances (except Multi-Attach, which is limited).
Amazon S3 Glacier
Why wrong: Glacier is for archival storage, not for active use.
Amazon EFS
EFS is a scalable file system that can be mounted on multiple EC2 instances.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon EFS
Option C is correct because Amazon EFS provides a shared file system with low latency and is accessible from multiple EC2 instances. Option A is wrong because EBS volumes can only be attached to one instance at a time (unless using Multi-Attach, which has limitations). Option B is wrong because S3 is object storage, not file storage. Option D is wrong because S3 Glacier is for archival.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not a file system, and may have higher latency.
Amazon EBS with Provisioned IOPS
Why it's wrong here
EBS volumes cannot be shared across multiple EC2 instances (except Multi-Attach, which is limited).
Amazon S3 Glacier
Why it's wrong here
Glacier is for archival storage, not for active use.
Amazon EFS
Why this is correct
EFS is a scalable file system that can be mounted on multiple EC2 instances.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Amazon EFS — Option C is correct because Amazon EFS provides a shared file system with low latency and is accessible from multiple EC2 instances. Option A is wrong because EBS volumes can only be attached to one instance at a time (unless using Multi-Attach, which has limitations). Option B is wrong because S3 is object storage, not file storage. Option D is wrong because S3 Glacier is for archival.
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SAP-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SAP-C02 exam.
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