- A
Configure S3 Event Notifications to send an event to an Amazon SQS queue, which is polled by an AWS Lambda function
S3 event to SQS decouples the upload from processing. Lambda polls SQS and can process messages asynchronously; Lambda can run up to 15 minutes.
- B
Configure S3 Event Notifications to publish a message to an Amazon SNS topic, which triggers an AWS Lambda function
Why wrong: SNS can trigger Lambda, but if processing takes up to 15 minutes, it's still subject to Lambda timeout; also SNS does not provide a queue for decoupling.
- C
Configure S3 Event Notifications to invoke an AWS Lambda function synchronously
Why wrong: Lambda synchronous invocation would time out if processing takes more than 15 minutes (Lambda max timeout is 15 minutes).
- D
Use Amazon EventBridge to capture S3 events and trigger an AWS Step Functions workflow
Why wrong: EventBridge and Step Functions can be used, but the simplest and most direct way is S3 event to SQS to Lambda, as Step Functions adds complexity.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
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 serverless application that processes images uploaded to an S3 bucket. The processing must be asynchronous and can take up to 15 minutes per image. Which AWS service should be used to trigger the processing?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure S3 Event Notifications to send an event to an Amazon SQS queue, which is polled by an AWS Lambda function
S3 Event Notifications can trigger an SQS queue, which then invokes a Lambda function asynchronously. Option A (Lambda synchronous invocation) would block and time out. Option B (SNS) is for pub/sub messaging but not ideal for long-running tasks. Option D (Step Functions) can orchestrate but is not the direct trigger for S3 events.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Configure S3 Event Notifications to send an event to an Amazon SQS queue, which is polled by an AWS Lambda function
Why this is correct
S3 event to SQS decouples the upload from processing. Lambda polls SQS and can process messages asynchronously; Lambda can run up to 15 minutes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure S3 Event Notifications to publish a message to an Amazon SNS topic, which triggers an AWS Lambda function
Why it's wrong here
SNS can trigger Lambda, but if processing takes up to 15 minutes, it's still subject to Lambda timeout; also SNS does not provide a queue for decoupling.
- ✗
Configure S3 Event Notifications to invoke an AWS Lambda function synchronously
Why it's wrong here
Lambda synchronous invocation would time out if processing takes more than 15 minutes (Lambda max timeout is 15 minutes).
- ✗
Use Amazon EventBridge to capture S3 events and trigger an AWS Step Functions workflow
Why it's wrong here
EventBridge and Step Functions can be used, but the simplest and most direct way is S3 event to SQS to Lambda, as Step Functions adds complexity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure S3 Event Notifications to send an event to an Amazon SQS queue, which is polled by an AWS Lambda function — S3 Event Notifications can trigger an SQS queue, which then invokes a Lambda function asynchronously. Option A (Lambda synchronous invocation) would block and time out. Option B (SNS) is for pub/sub messaging but not ideal for long-running tasks. Option D (Step Functions) can orchestrate but is not the direct trigger for S3 events.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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