The answer is to enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for write capacity. This is the correct solution because Auto Scaling dynamically adjusts the provisioned write capacity units based on actual traffic patterns, automatically increasing throughput during peak hours to prevent write throttling and scaling down during off-peak times to control costs. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to balance performance and cost with provisioned capacity, often presenting traps like suggesting DAX (which only caches reads) or increasing read capacity (which does nothing for writes). A common memory tip is to remember that Auto Scaling is the "set and forget" solution for predictable workloads, whereas on-demand is the premium option for unpredictable spikes. Think of it as a thermostat: Auto Scaling adjusts the temperature (capacity) to keep the room (your table) comfortable, while on-demand just blasts the AC full power regardless of cost.
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 provisioned capacity for a critical workload. They notice that write requests are being throttled during peak hours. The table has a partition key of 'user_id' and a sort key of 'timestamp'. The access pattern is evenly distributed. What should a solutions architect do to reduce throttling?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for write capacity.
Option D is correct because DynamoDB Auto Scaling adjusts capacity based on actual usage, reducing throttling. Option A is wrong because changing to on-demand is a valid solution but may be more expensive; Auto Scaling is more cost-effective if usage is predictable. Option B is wrong because DAX is a cache for reads, not writes. Option C is wrong because increasing read capacity doesn't help write throttling.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Increase the read capacity units for the table.
Why it's wrong here
Read capacity does not affect write throttling.
✗
Add a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster in front of the table.
Why it's wrong here
DAX caches reads, not writes.
✗
Switch the table to DynamoDB On-Demand capacity mode.
Why it's wrong here
On-demand is simpler but can be more expensive than well-configured provisioned capacity with Auto Scaling.
✓
Enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for write capacity.
Why this is correct
Auto Scaling dynamically adjusts write capacity to handle peak loads.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable DynamoDB Auto Scaling for write capacity. — Option D is correct because DynamoDB Auto Scaling adjusts capacity based on actual usage, reducing throttling. Option A is wrong because changing to on-demand is a valid solution but may be more expensive; Auto Scaling is more cost-effective if usage is predictable. Option B is wrong because DAX is a cache for reads, not writes. Option C is wrong because increasing read capacity doesn't help write throttling.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SAP-C02 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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?
hard
✓ A.A sudden spike in write traffic exceeds the table's burst capacity
B.The table is using DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for writes
C.The write workload exceeds the table's provisioned write capacity
D.The table has auto scaling disabled
Why A: 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.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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