The correct answer is to rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN). This strategy, also known as lift-and-shift, is ideal when the goal is to migrate a monolithic application to AWS with minimal changes, as it moves the existing web server, application server, and MySQL database from a single EC2 instance to the cloud without altering the architecture or code. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish rehosting from replatforming or refactoring—common traps include suggesting Amazon RDS for the database, which would require configuration changes and thus violate the “minimal changes” constraint. A key memory tip: if the question emphasizes “minimize changes” and “as-is,” think “lift-and-shift” and immediately rule out any service that modifies the database layer or application logic.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
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 monolithic application to AWS. The application consists of a web server, an application server, and a MySQL database. The web server and application server run on the same EC2 instance. The company wants to minimize changes during migration. Which migration strategy should the architect recommend?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN)
Rehosting (lift-and-shift) moves the application as-is to EC2, requiring minimal changes. Replatforming would involve changes like using RDS. Refactoring would require code changes. Retiring is not applicable as the application is still needed.
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.
✗
Refactor the application into microservices on Amazon ECS
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring requires significant code changes, which is not minimal.
✗
Replatform by migrating the database to Amazon RDS
Why it's wrong here
Replatforming would introduce a change to the database, which may not be minimal.
✓
Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN)
Why this is correct
Rehosting moves the application with minimal changes, which aligns with the requirement to minimize changes.
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.
✗
Retire the application and replace it with a SaaS solution
Why it's wrong here
Retiring is not appropriate as the application is still needed.
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 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
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.
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (AWS MGN) — Rehosting (lift-and-shift) moves the application as-is to EC2, requiring minimal changes. Replatforming would involve changes like using RDS. Refactoring would require code changes. Retiring is not applicable as the application is still needed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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