- A
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why wrong: RDS is a relational database service.
- B
Amazon ElastiCache
Why wrong: ElastiCache is a caching service, not a primary database.
- C
Amazon Aurora
Why wrong: Aurora is a relational database, not NoSQL.
- D
Amazon DynamoDB
DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database with low latency and auto-scaling.
Question 682 of 1,746
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new solutions. 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 designing a new application that requires a fully managed NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency. The application needs to handle sudden spikes in read traffic without manual intervention. Which AWS service should the company choose?
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
✓
Amazon DynamoDB
Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL key-value and document database that delivers single-digit millisecond latency at any scale. It supports auto-scaling of read/write capacity based on traffic patterns, enabling the application to handle sudden spikes in read traffic without manual intervention.
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.
- ✗
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
RDS is a relational database service.
- ✗
Amazon ElastiCache
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is a caching service, not a primary database.
- ✗
Amazon Aurora
Why it's wrong here
Aurora is a relational database, not NoSQL.
- ✓
Amazon DynamoDB
Why this is correct
DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database with low latency and auto-scaling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Amazon ElastiCache (a caching layer) with a primary NoSQL database, or assume that Amazon Aurora's MySQL compatibility makes it a NoSQL option, when in fact DynamoDB is the only fully managed NoSQL service among the choices that meets the latency and auto-scaling requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB achieves single-digit millisecond latency through its SSD-backed storage and distributed architecture, where data is automatically partitioned across multiple nodes using consistent hashing. Its on-demand capacity mode can instantly absorb thousands of requests per second without capacity planning, making it ideal for unpredictable workloads like viral social media features or flash sales.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Design for New Solutions — This question tests Design for New Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon DynamoDB — Amazon DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL key-value and document database that delivers single-digit millisecond latency at any scale. It supports auto-scaling of read/write capacity based on traffic patterns, enabling the application to handle sudden spikes in read traffic without manual intervention.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
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