The correct answer is that the SCP requires MFA for all IAM users and roles for any AWS API call. This is because the SCP uses a Deny effect on all actions when the condition key `aws:MultiFactorAuthPresent` is false, meaning any API call made without MFA is immediately blocked, effectively mandating MFA for every operation, including console logins and CLI commands. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how service control policies apply to all principals in an account except the root user, which is immune to SCPs. A common trap is assuming the policy only affects IAM users, but it applies to roles and federated users as well, or confusing Deny with Allow—remember, SCPs are deny lists by default. Memory tip: think of the SCP as a bouncer checking ID at every door; if MFA isn’t shown, no entry is allowed for anyone.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions for organizational complexity. 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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
All IAM users and roles must use MFA for any AWS API call.
Option B is correct because the SCP denies all actions if MFA is not present. This effectively requires MFA for all API calls, including console login and CLI. Option A is wrong because it applies to all principals, not just IAM users. Option C is wrong because the SCP denies, not allows. Option D is wrong because it does not require MFA for root user only; it affects all principals, except root user is not affected by SCPs.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
All IAM users must use MFA to access the console, but API calls are not affected.
Why it's wrong here
The SCP applies to all actions, including API calls.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — This question tests Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: All IAM users and roles must use MFA for any AWS API call. — Option B is correct because the SCP denies all actions if MFA is not present. This effectively requires MFA for all API calls, including console login and CLI. Option A is wrong because it applies to all principals, not just IAM users. Option C is wrong because the SCP denies, not allows. Option D is wrong because it does not require MFA for root user only; it affects all principals, except root user is not affected by SCPs.
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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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.
Question Discussion
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