- A
Create a new launch configuration each time a new AMI is released and associate it with the Auto Scaling group.
Why wrong: Launch configurations do not support dynamic AMI IDs; they are immutable.
- B
Use AWS CloudFormation to update the stack with the new AMI ID and then manually trigger a rolling update.
Why wrong: This still requires manual steps and does not automatically use the latest AMI.
- C
Manually update the AMI ID in the EC2 Auto Scaling group configuration every time a new AMI is released.
Why wrong: Manual updates are error-prone and not scalable.
- D
Use an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store.
This allows automatic retrieval of the latest AMI ID at launch time.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 media company runs a video transcoding pipeline on AWS using Amazon EC2 Spot Instances. The pipeline uses a custom AMI with pre-installed software. The operations team notices that the latest AMI is not always used when new instances launch, causing inconsistent transcoding results. What should the team do to ensure that all new Spot Instances use the latest AMI?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"always"Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
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
Use an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store.
Option D is correct because using an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store ensures that new instances automatically use the most recent AMI without manual intervention. Option A is incorrect because launch configurations are immutable and cannot reference dynamic parameters like SSM Parameter Store; they require creating a new launch configuration each time the AMI changes. Option B is incorrect because CloudFormation updates require manual initiation and do not automatically track the latest AMI. Option C is incorrect because manually updating the AMI ID in the Auto Scaling group configuration is error-prone and not automated.
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.
- ✗
Create a new launch configuration each time a new AMI is released and associate it with the Auto Scaling group.
Why it's wrong here
Launch configurations do not support dynamic AMI IDs; they are immutable.
- ✗
Use AWS CloudFormation to update the stack with the new AMI ID and then manually trigger a rolling update.
Why it's wrong here
This still requires manual steps and does not automatically use the latest AMI.
- ✗
Manually update the AMI ID in the EC2 Auto Scaling group configuration every time a new AMI is released.
Why it's wrong here
Manual updates are error-prone and not scalable.
- ✓
Use an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store.
Why this is correct
This allows automatic retrieval of the latest AMI ID at launch time.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
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 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.
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 — 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: Use an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store. — Option D is correct because using an EC2 Auto Scaling group with a launch template that dynamically references the latest AMI ID from AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store ensures that new instances automatically use the most recent AMI without manual intervention. Option A is incorrect because launch configurations are immutable and cannot reference dynamic parameters like SSM Parameter Store; they require creating a new launch configuration each time the AMI changes. Option B is incorrect because CloudFormation updates require manual initiation and do not automatically track the latest AMI. Option C is incorrect because manually updating the AMI ID in the Auto Scaling group configuration is error-prone and not automated.
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: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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