- A
A sudden spike in write traffic exceeds the table's burst capacity
On-demand tables have a throughput limit based on previous traffic; spikes beyond that cause throttling.
- B
The table is using DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for writes
Why wrong: DAX is a cache for reads, not writes.
- C
The write workload exceeds the table's provisioned write capacity
Why wrong: On-demand does not use provisioned capacity.
- D
The table has auto scaling disabled
Why wrong: On-demand automatically scales.
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 with on-demand capacity. They notice that a specific table frequently exceeds the write throughput limit and experiences throttling. The table has a partition key with high cardinality. What is the MOST likely cause of throttling?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
A sudden spike in write traffic exceeds the table's burst capacity
Option B is correct because on-demand DynamoDB tables can still throttle if traffic exceeds the previous peak by more than double. The table might have a hot partition despite high cardinality if the workload is skewed. Option A is wrong because on-demand can handle sudden increases, but within limits. Option C is wrong because provisioned capacity is not used. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is for reads, not writes.
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.
- ✓
A sudden spike in write traffic exceeds the table's burst capacity
Why this is correct
On-demand tables have a throughput limit based on previous traffic; spikes beyond that cause throttling.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The table is using DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for writes
Why it's wrong here
DAX is a cache for reads, not writes.
- ✗
The write workload exceeds the table's provisioned write capacity
Why it's wrong here
On-demand does not use provisioned capacity.
- ✗
The table has auto scaling disabled
Why it's wrong here
On-demand automatically scales.
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.
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Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
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: A sudden spike in write traffic exceeds the table's burst capacity — Option B is correct because on-demand DynamoDB tables can still throttle if traffic exceeds the previous peak by more than double. The table might have a hot partition despite high cardinality if the workload is skewed. Option A is wrong because on-demand can handle sudden increases, but within limits. Option C is wrong because provisioned capacity is not used. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is for reads, not writes.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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