This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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 CloudFormation stack output is as above. The company wants to use the SQS queue URL in another stack. Which intrinsic function should be used to reference the queue URL in the second stack?
Fn::ImportValue
ImportValue imports exported output values from other stacks.
Fn::GetAtt
Why wrong: GetAtt retrieves attributes of resources in the same stack.
Fn::Sub
Why wrong: Sub is for string substitution, not cross-stack references.
Fn::Ref
Why wrong: Ref returns the resource ID, not cross-stack outputs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Fn::ImportValue
A is correct because Fn::ImportValue is the only intrinsic function that can reference a cross-stack output value exported via the Export field in a CloudFormation stack. Since the SQS queue URL is an output from one stack and needs to be used in another stack, Fn::ImportValue is required to import the exported value by name.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Fn::ImportValue
Why this is correct
ImportValue imports exported output values from other stacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Fn::GetAtt
Why it's wrong here
GetAtt retrieves attributes of resources in the same stack.
Fn::Sub
Why it's wrong here
Sub is for string substitution, not cross-stack references.
Fn::Ref
Why it's wrong here
Ref returns the resource ID, not cross-stack outputs.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Fn::GetAtt or Fn::Ref with cross-stack references, but those functions only work within the same stack, while Fn::ImportValue is specifically designed for cross-stack value sharing.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Ref returns the resource ID, not cross-stack outputs.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Fn::ImportValue works by looking up the value associated with the Export name in the CloudFormation registry. The Export field must be defined in the source stack's output, and the imported value is resolved at stack creation or update time. A subtle behavior is that if the exported value changes, any stack importing it must be updated, and cross-stack references can create circular dependencies if not carefully managed.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Fn::ImportValue — A is correct because Fn::ImportValue is the only intrinsic function that can reference a cross-stack output value exported via the Export field in a CloudFormation stack. Since the SQS queue URL is an output from one stack and needs to be used in another stack, Fn::ImportValue is required to import the exported value by name.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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