The correct three steps are using AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema, AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication via Change Data Capture (CDC), and setting up a read replica from the source MySQL database to offload read traffic. This combination enables a live migration with minimal downtime because CDC captures incremental changes from the source while the full load runs, and the read replica reduces performance impact on the production database. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of heterogeneous migrations and the specific tools required for zero-downtime transitions—a common trap is choosing RDS for MySQL instead of Aurora, which fails the “modernize” requirement. Remember the mnemonic “SCT, DMS, Replica” to recall the three pillars: Schema conversion, Data migration with CDC, and Read replica for load reduction.
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 e-commerce platform to AWS. The platform uses a MySQL database with a 2 TB dataset. They want to modernize to Amazon Aurora MySQL with minimal downtime. Which THREE steps should they take? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the existing schema to Aurora MySQL
The migration to Aurora MySQL with minimal downtime involves: using AWS SCT to convert the schema (A), using AWS DMS for ongoing replication with CDC (B), and setting up a read replica from the source to reduce load (C). Option D (DynamoDB) is a different database. Option E (RDS for MySQL) does not modernize to Aurora.
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 Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the existing schema to Aurora MySQL
Why this is correct
SCT helps convert schema for Aurora compatibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Set up an Aurora Replica from the source MySQL instance
Why this is correct
Aurora Replica can be used to offload read traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon RDS for MySQL instead of Aurora
Why it's wrong here
RDS for MySQL is not a modernization to Aurora.
✗
Migrate the database to Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is NoSQL, not a relational database.
✓
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication using Change Data Capture (CDC)
Why this is correct
CDC keeps the target in sync until cutover.
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
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.
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.
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 Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the existing schema to Aurora MySQL — The migration to Aurora MySQL with minimal downtime involves: using AWS SCT to convert the schema (A), using AWS DMS for ongoing replication with CDC (B), and setting up a read replica from the source to reduce load (C). Option D (DynamoDB) is a different database. Option E (RDS for MySQL) does not modernize to Aurora.
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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