The answer is to create one or more RDS read replicas and direct read queries to the replica endpoint. This solution improves RDS read performance with minimal application changes because read replicas offload SELECT traffic from the primary Multi-AZ DB instance, allowing complex joins and read-heavy workloads to scale horizontally without altering the database schema or query logic. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to use read replicas versus caching or database migration—a common trap is choosing ElastiCache, which requires application code changes, or DynamoDB, which demands a full re-architecture. Remember the key distinction: read replicas handle read scaling with zero application changes if you simply point read traffic to a separate endpoint, whereas caching or NoSQL solutions typically require rewriting queries or data access patterns. A useful memory tip is “Replicas for reads, caching for speed”—if the goal is offloading existing queries without touching code, replicas are the immediate fit.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 runs a critical database on an RDS for MySQL Multi-AZ DB instance. The database is experiencing high read latency. The application is read-heavy and uses many complex joins. The company needs to improve read performance with minimal application changes. Which solution is MOST appropriate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create one or more RDS read replicas and direct read queries to the replica endpoint.
Option C is correct because setting up RDS read replicas offloads read traffic from the primary instance, and can be done with zero application changes if the application uses a separate endpoint. Option A is wrong because increasing instance size is a vertical scaling approach but may not help with complex joins. Option B is wrong because ElastiCache requires application code changes. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB is a different database and would require significant application rework.
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.
✗
Migrate the database to Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables.
Why it's wrong here
Major rearchitecture.
✓
Create one or more RDS read replicas and direct read queries to the replica endpoint.
Why this is correct
Offloads reads, minimal changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement Amazon ElastiCache in front of the database to cache query results.
Why it's wrong here
Requires application changes.
✗
Increase the DB instance class to a larger size with more vCPUs.
Why it's wrong here
May not address read-heavy pattern efficiently.
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 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
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 — 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: Create one or more RDS read replicas and direct read queries to the replica endpoint. — Option C is correct because setting up RDS read replicas offloads read traffic from the primary instance, and can be done with zero application changes if the application uses a separate endpoint. Option A is wrong because increasing instance size is a vertical scaling approach but may not help with complex joins. Option B is wrong because ElastiCache requires application code changes. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB is a different database and would require significant application rework.
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.
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Question Discussion
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