Quick Answer
The correct answer is that the IAM role used by CloudFormation lacks the ec2:RunInstances permission. When CloudFormation creates a stack, it assumes an IAM role to make API calls on your behalf; if that role’s policy does not explicitly grant the ec2:RunInstances action, the service returns an “unauthorized” error referencing the assumed-role ARN. This scenario tests your understanding of how CloudFormation’s service-linked permissions differ from user-level permissions—a common trap on the SAP-C02 exam is confusing the error’s source (the role, not the user’s session) or misattributing it to a missing S3 bucket or region mismatch. The key insight is that CloudFormation itself is the actor, so the role it assumes must have the required resource-level permissions. Memory tip: think “CFN role = service proxy”—if the role can’t do it, the stack can’t launch it.
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 company is using AWS CloudFormation to manage infrastructure. The stack creation fails with the error 'Resource handler returned message: 'User: arn:aws:sts::123456789012:assumed-role/Admin/MySession is not authorized to perform: ec2:RunInstances'. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The IAM role used by CloudFormation does not have ec2:RunInstances permission.
The error clearly states the role is not authorized.
The region specified in the template is disabled.
Why wrong: Regions are not disabled by default.
The CloudFormation template has a syntax error.
Why wrong: Syntax errors produce different messages.
The AWS account is not subscribed to EC2 service.
Why wrong: All accounts have EC2 access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The IAM role used by CloudFormation does not have ec2:RunInstances permission.
Option C is correct because the IAM role assumed by CloudFormation lacks the necessary permissions. Option A is wrong because the error is about the user/role, not AWS. Option B is wrong because the error does not mention S3. Option D is wrong because the region is specified in the template.
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.
The IAM role used by CloudFormation does not have ec2:RunInstances permission.
Why this is correct
The error clearly states the role is not authorized.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The region specified in the template is disabled.
Why it's wrong here
Regions are not disabled by default.
The CloudFormation template has a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
Syntax errors produce different messages.
The AWS account is not subscribed to EC2 service.
Why it's wrong here
All accounts have EC2 access.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SAP-C02 questions
1,746 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SAP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Design for New Solutions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 S3 lifecycle policy questions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 RDS Multi-AZ questions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 IAM policy.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 Route 53 failover questions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 CloudFront.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 NAT gateway questions.
Practise SAP-C02 questions linked to SAA-C03 VPC endpoint questions.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The IAM role used by CloudFormation does not have ec2:RunInstances permission. — Option C is correct because the IAM role assumed by CloudFormation lacks the necessary permissions. Option A is wrong because the error is about the user/role, not AWS. Option B is wrong because the error does not mention S3. Option D is wrong because the region is specified in the template.
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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.