Quick Answer
The answer is AWS Application Migration Service because it is purpose-built for lift-and-shift migration, enabling you to rehost on-premises workloads to AWS with minimal downtime while supporting heterogeneous operating systems and middleware. This service continuously replicates source servers and automates cutover, allowing you to migrate 50 different applications without refactoring, and its pay-as-you-go model aligns with the company’s cost requirements. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between migration tools and deployment automation—a common trap is confusing AWS Application Migration Service with AWS CloudFormation, which standardizes infrastructure as code but does not handle the actual migration of running applications. Remember that Application Migration Service is the modern, fully managed replacement for the deprecated Server Migration Service, so if you see “minimize downtime” and “heterogeneous environments” in a lift-and-shift scenario, think AWS MGN (the service’s former name) for a smooth memory anchor.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. 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 migrating 50 on-premises web applications to AWS. Each application has a different OS and middleware. The migration must minimize downtime and use a pay-as-you-go model. Which AWS service should the company use to standardize the deployment of these applications?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not application migration.
AWS Application Migration Service
Application Migration Service automates lift-and-shift for applications.
AWS Server Migration Service
Why wrong: Server Migration Service is deprecated; Application Migration Service is the current recommended service.
AWS Database Migration Service
Why wrong: DMS is for database migration only.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS Application Migration Service
Option C is correct because AWS Application Migration Service automates lift-and-shift migration of applications from on-premises to AWS, minimizing downtime and supporting heterogeneous environments. Option A is wrong because AWS CloudFormation is for infrastructure as code, not for migrating applications. Option B is wrong because AWS Database Migration Service is for databases, not general applications. Option D is wrong because AWS Server Migration Service is deprecated and replaced by Application Migration Service.
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.
AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CloudFormation is for infrastructure provisioning, not application migration.
AWS Application Migration Service
Why this is correct
Application Migration Service automates lift-and-shift for applications.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
AWS Server Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
Server Migration Service is deprecated; Application Migration Service is the current recommended service.
AWS Database Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
DMS is for database migration only.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS Application Migration Service — Option C is correct because AWS Application Migration Service automates lift-and-shift migration of applications from on-premises to AWS, minimizing downtime and supporting heterogeneous environments. Option A is wrong because AWS CloudFormation is for infrastructure as code, not for migrating applications. Option B is wrong because AWS Database Migration Service is for databases, not general applications. Option D is wrong because AWS Server Migration Service is deprecated and replaced by Application Migration Service.
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.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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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