Quick Answer
The answer is Amazon RDS, as it provides a fully managed relational database service that handles provisioning, patching, backup, and failover, directly addressing the need to minimize operational overhead. This is correct because RDS abstracts the underlying infrastructure management, allowing you to focus on data and queries rather than OS patching or hardware maintenance, which aligns with the search intent for managed relational database options to minimize operational overhead. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between fully managed services and self-managed alternatives; a common trap is choosing EC2 for database hosting, which requires significant operational effort. Remember the memory tip: “RDS removes the DBA’s daily grind” — if you see a need to reduce admin work, RDS is the go-to, while EC2 is only for custom configurations that demand full control.
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 a legacy application to AWS. The application requires a relational database. The company wants to minimize operational overhead. Which TWO options should the company consider? (Choose two.)
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 Database Migration Service
Why wrong: Migration service, not a database.
Amazon Aurora
Managed relational database with MySQL/PostgreSQL compatibility.
Amazon S3
Why wrong: Object storage, not relational database.
Amazon RDS
Managed relational database service.
Amazon EC2 with self-managed database
Why wrong: High operational overhead.
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 Aurora
Options A and B are correct because both are fully managed database services. Option C (EC2) requires self-management. Option D (DMS) is a migration tool. Option E (S3) is object storage.
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 Database Migration Service
Why it's wrong here
Migration service, not a database.
Amazon Aurora
Why this is correct
Managed relational database with MySQL/PostgreSQL compatibility.
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.
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Object storage, not relational database.
Amazon RDS
Why this is correct
Managed relational database service.
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.
Amazon EC2 with self-managed database
Why it's wrong here
High operational overhead.
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.
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: Amazon Aurora — Options A and B are correct because both are fully managed database services. Option C (EC2) requires self-management. Option D (DMS) is a migration tool. Option E (S3) is object storage.
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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