- A
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and use AWS Batch with Fargate launch type to process files in parallel.
Why wrong: AWS Batch with Fargate has limits on concurrent jobs and is less cost-effective for long-running jobs.
- B
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and use AWS Lambda functions triggered by S3 events to process each file.
Why wrong: Lambda has a 15-minute timeout; file processing may exceed that.
- C
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and configure a single EC2 instance to poll S3 for new files and process them sequentially.
Why wrong: Single instance does not improve throughput; still sequential.
- D
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, configure an S3 event notification to publish messages to an Amazon SQS queue, and use an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances to process messages from the queue.
SQS decouples and scales processing; Auto Scaling based on queue depth improves throughput.
Quick Answer
The correct architecture uses AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, Amazon S3, SQS, and an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances. This solution works because S3 event notifications can publish file arrival messages directly to an SQS queue, decoupling ingestion from processing, while the Auto Scaling group scales EC2 instances based on queue depth to handle hundreds of thousands of files within the 4-hour window. On the SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of decoupled, event-driven batch processing migration patterns, where the key trap is choosing a single EC2 instance (which doesn't improve throughput) or AWS Lambda (which has a 15-minute timeout unsuitable for multi-MB files). The exam often presents AWS Batch with Fargate as a distractor, but for long-running file processing, EC2-based auto scaling with SQS provides better cost control and scalability. Memory tip: think "SFTP to S3, SQS to scale" — the queue depth drives the scaling decision, not the file count alone.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 is migrating a large-scale batch processing system from on-premises to AWS. The system processes hundreds of thousands of files daily, each file being a few MB in size. The files are received via SFTP and need to be processed within 4 hours. The company wants to use AWS services to build a fully managed, scalable, and cost-effective solution. The current on-premises system uses a single server with a scheduled task that processes files sequentially. The migration should improve throughput and reduce processing time. Which architecture should the company implement?
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 AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, configure an S3 event notification to publish messages to an Amazon SQS queue, and use an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances to process messages from the queue.
Option B is correct because AWS Transfer Family provides managed SFTP, and an S3 event notification can trigger a Lambda function that submits jobs to an SQS queue. The SQS queue acts as a buffer, and an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances (or a Spot Fleet) processes the messages, scaling based on queue depth. This provides high throughput and cost optimization. Option A is wrong because a single EC2 instance does not improve throughput over on-premises. Option C is wrong because AWS Batch with Fargate launch type is limited by concurrent job count and may not be cost-effective for long-running jobs. Option D is wrong because Lambda has a 15-minute timeout and is not suitable for processing files that may take longer.
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 AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and use AWS Batch with Fargate launch type to process files in parallel.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Batch with Fargate has limits on concurrent jobs and is less cost-effective for long-running jobs.
- ✗
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and use AWS Lambda functions triggered by S3 events to process each file.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda has a 15-minute timeout; file processing may exceed that.
- ✗
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, and configure a single EC2 instance to poll S3 for new files and process them sequentially.
Why it's wrong here
Single instance does not improve throughput; still sequential.
- ✓
Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, configure an S3 event notification to publish messages to an Amazon SQS queue, and use an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances to process messages from the queue.
Why this is correct
SQS decouples and scales processing; Auto Scaling based on queue depth improves throughput.
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.
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Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Transfer Family for SFTP, store files in Amazon S3, configure an S3 event notification to publish messages to an Amazon SQS queue, and use an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances to process messages from the queue. — Option B is correct because AWS Transfer Family provides managed SFTP, and an S3 event notification can trigger a Lambda function that submits jobs to an SQS queue. The SQS queue acts as a buffer, and an Auto Scaling group of EC2 instances (or a Spot Fleet) processes the messages, scaling based on queue depth. This provides high throughput and cost optimization. Option A is wrong because a single EC2 instance does not improve throughput over on-premises. Option C is wrong because AWS Batch with Fargate launch type is limited by concurrent job count and may not be cost-effective for long-running jobs. Option D is wrong because Lambda has a 15-minute timeout and is not suitable for processing files that may take longer.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
8 more ways this is tested on SAP-C02
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 is migrating a large-scale batch processing system from on-premises to AWS. The system runs millions of short-lived jobs each day. The company wants to minimize operational overhead and cost. Which AWS compute service should the company use?
medium- A.Amazon EC2 with Spot Fleet
- B.Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate
- C.AWS Lambda
- ✓ D.AWS Batch
Why D: Option B is correct because AWS Batch is designed for batch computing, automatically provisions resources based on job volume, and can use Spot Instances for cost savings. Option A is wrong because EC2 with Spot Fleet requires more manual management. Option C is wrong because Lambda has a 15-minute timeout and is not suitable for long-running batch jobs. Option D is wrong because ECS with Fargate is for containers, but AWS Batch is more specialized for batch workloads.
Variation 2. A company is migrating a large-scale batch processing workload from on-premises to AWS. The workload runs on a schedule and processes data files from an FTP server. The company wants to use AWS services that are serverless and event-driven to reduce operational overhead. The data files will be uploaded to an Amazon S3 bucket. Which solution meets these requirements?
hard- A.Use Amazon S3 Event Notifications to invoke an AWS Batch job that processes the file
- ✓ B.Use Amazon S3 Event Notifications to invoke an AWS Lambda function that processes the file
- C.Use AWS Glue to crawl the S3 bucket and run an ETL job on a schedule
- D.Use Amazon S3 Event Notifications to start an AWS Step Functions workflow that runs processing on Amazon EC2
Why B: Option D is correct: S3 events can trigger Lambda, which processes the file. Option A (AWS Batch) is not serverless in the sense of event-driven; it requires compute resources. Option B (Step Functions) is for orchestrating workflows, not direct processing. Option C (Glue) is for ETL, not general batch processing.
Variation 3. A company is migrating a batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs a Java application that processes files from an S3 bucket. The company wants to minimize operational overhead. Which AWS service should the company use to run the Java application?
medium- A.Amazon EC2
- B.Amazon ECS with EC2 launch type
- C.AWS Batch
- ✓ D.AWS Lambda
Why D: Option B is correct because AWS Lambda can run Java code triggered by S3 events, with no servers to manage. Option A is wrong because Amazon ECS requires cluster management. Option C is wrong because Amazon EC2 requires instance management. Option D is wrong because AWS Batch is for batch jobs but still requires compute resources.
Variation 4. A company is migrating a large-scale batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs on a schedule and processes terabytes of data. The migration must be cost-effective. Which AWS service is best suited for this workload?
hard- A.Amazon EMR
- B.AWS Lambda
- ✓ C.AWS Batch
- D.Amazon EC2 with Auto Scaling
Why C: Option C is correct because AWS Batch is designed for batch computing and can automatically provision the optimal quantity and type of compute resources. Option A is wrong because Lambda has a 15-minute timeout and limited memory. Option B is wrong because EMR is optimized for big data frameworks like Spark, not general batch. Option D is wrong because EC2 requires manual management of instances.
Variation 5. A company is migrating a batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs nightly and takes approximately 2 hours on a single on-premises server. The company wants to reduce the processing time to under 30 minutes. Which THREE steps should the solutions architect recommend?
hard- ✓ A.Split the workload into smaller batches and run them in parallel on multiple EC2 instances.
- ✓ B.Use a larger, compute-optimized EC2 instance type.
- C.Use EBS io2 volumes with high IOPS for the instance.
- D.Use EC2 Spot Instances to reduce cost.
- ✓ E.Use AWS Batch with multiple compute environments to orchestrate parallel processing.
Why A: Using a larger instance (compute optimized) can speed up processing. Parallel processing by splitting the workload across multiple EC2 instances reduces time. Using a distributed processing framework like AWS Batch with multiple compute environments enables parallel execution. EBS io2 volumes improve I/O but may not reduce time by 75%. Spot Instances can reduce cost but not processing time directly.
Variation 6. A company is migrating a batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs on a schedule and processes large files stored on a network file system. The company wants to use a serverless architecture to reduce costs. Which combination of AWS services should the company use?
medium- A.AWS Step Functions, Amazon EMR, and Amazon EFS.
- B.Amazon CloudWatch Events, AWS Lambda, and Amazon Kinesis Data Firehose.
- ✓ C.AWS Step Functions, AWS Lambda, and Amazon S3.
- D.Amazon CloudWatch Events, Amazon EC2, and Amazon EBS.
Why C: Option A is correct because AWS Step Functions can orchestrate the workflow, Lambda can process files, and S3 can store the files. Option B is wrong because EMR is not serverless. Option C is wrong because EC2 is not serverless. Option D is wrong because Kinesis is for streaming.
Variation 7. A company is migrating a batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs on a schedule and processes large files stored on a network file system. The company wants to use serverless services. Which TWO services should the company use? (Choose TWO.)
easy- A.Amazon EMR
- B.Amazon EC2
- ✓ C.Amazon S3
- D.Amazon EFS
- ✓ E.AWS Lambda
Why C: Options B and D are correct. Option B: AWS Lambda can process events. Option D: Amazon S3 can store files. Option A is wrong because EC2 is not serverless. Option C is wrong because EFS is not serverless. Option E is wrong because EMR is not serverless.
Variation 8. A company is migrating a batch processing workload to AWS. The workload runs on a scheduled basis and processes large files from an on-premises NFS share. The company wants to use AWS services to replace the on-premises server and minimize operational overhead. Which solution is MOST suitable?
medium- A.Use AWS Lambda to directly read from the NFS share over VPN and process the files.
- ✓ B.Mount the on-premises NFS share to Amazon EFS using AWS Direct Connect, and use AWS Batch with AWS Fargate to process the files.
- C.Use AWS Snowball Edge to transfer files to Amazon S3 and then process with EC2 instances.
- D.Use AWS DataSync to copy files to Amazon S3 and trigger an AWS Lambda function to process.
Why B: Option C is correct because AWS Batch with Fargate is serverless and integrates with EFS, which can be mounted to replace NFS. Option A is wrong because Snowball is not for ongoing processing. Option B is wrong because DataSync does not process data. Option D is wrong because Lambda has execution time limits and file size limits.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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