The answer is to add a Global Secondary Index with a different partition key and adjust the read capacity units. Adding a GSI with a different partition key distributes read traffic across new physical partitions, directly addressing high latency caused by hot keys on the original user_id partition key. This spreads the read load, while increasing read capacity units provides the necessary throughput to handle peak demand. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DynamoDB’s partition-based architecture and the distinction between design-level fixes (like GSI key choice) and operational scaling. A common trap is confusing a sort key change with a partition key change—altering the sort key does not redistribute reads across partitions and would require a new table. Remember the mnemonic: “GSI for distribution, RCU for throughput” to quickly recall the two correct levers for improving DynamoDB read performance during high latency.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. 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 uses Amazon DynamoDB for a gaming application. The table has a partition key of 'user_id' and a sort key of 'game_id'. The application experiences high latency during peak hours. Which TWO actions would improve read performance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the read capacity units for the table.
Options B and C are correct. Adding a Global Secondary Index with a different partition key can distribute reads across partitions. Adjusting read capacity units increases throughput. Option A is wrong because changing the sort key would require a new table. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) improves read performance but is not a capacity change. Option E is wrong because table replication is for disaster recovery.
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.
✗
Use DynamoDB global tables to replicate data to another region.
Why it's wrong here
Global tables improve availability, not read latency in the same region.
✓
Increase the read capacity units for the table.
Why this is correct
More read capacity reduces throttling and latency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for the table.
Why it's wrong here
DAX improves read performance but is not a capacity adjustment.
✗
Change the table's sort key to a more evenly distributed attribute.
Why it's wrong here
Changing sort key requires recreating the table.
✓
Add a Global Secondary Index with a different partition key.
Why this is correct
GSI allows querying on different attributes and distributes load.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the read capacity units for the table. — Options B and C are correct. Adding a Global Secondary Index with a different partition key can distribute reads across partitions. Adjusting read capacity units increases throughput. Option A is wrong because changing the sort key would require a new table. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) improves read performance but is not a capacity change. Option E is wrong because table replication is for disaster recovery.
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.
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Question Discussion
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