The correct answer is to enable cluster mode on the ElastiCache Redis cluster, which distributes data across multiple shards to reduce load on Redis without changing application code. This works because cluster mode partitions the dataset using hash slots, allowing each shard to handle a subset of keys and operations, thereby spreading CPU utilization across nodes rather than concentrating it on a single primary node. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of scaling strategies for stateful services under traffic spikes, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose read replicas—but replicas only offload read traffic, not write or CPU load on the primary. A common memory tip is to think “shard the load, not just the reads”—cluster mode is for distributing write and CPU pressure, while replicas are for read scaling.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing 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 company runs a web application on EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer. The application stores session state in an Amazon ElastiCache Redis cluster. During a traffic spike, the Redis cluster's CPU utilization reaches 90%, causing increased latency. The company wants to reduce the load on Redis without changing the application code. Which solution should the company implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable cluster mode on the ElastiCache Redis cluster to distribute data across multiple shards.
Option A is correct because enabling ElastiCache for Redis cluster mode allows data to be distributed across multiple shards, reducing CPU load per node. Option B is wrong because read replicas are for read-heavy workloads, not for reducing CPU load on the primary. Option C is wrong because a larger node type may help but is less cost-effective than sharding. Option D is wrong because ElastiCache does not support Lambda extensions.
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.
✓
Enable cluster mode on the ElastiCache Redis cluster to distribute data across multiple shards.
Why this is correct
Cluster mode partitions data across shards, reducing CPU utilization per shard.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon ElastiCache Global Datastore to distribute traffic across regions.
Why it's wrong here
Global Datastore is for disaster recovery, not for reducing CPU load.
✗
Add read replicas to the Redis cluster to offload read traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas help with read scaling, but the CPU issue may be due to writes.
✗
Upgrade to a larger Redis node type with more vCPUs.
Why it's wrong here
Vertical scaling is an option but may not be as cost-effective as sharding.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Enable cluster mode on the ElastiCache Redis cluster to distribute data across multiple shards. — Option A is correct because enabling ElastiCache for Redis cluster mode allows data to be distributed across multiple shards, reducing CPU load per node. Option B is wrong because read replicas are for read-heavy workloads, not for reducing CPU load on the primary. Option C is wrong because a larger node type may help but is less cost-effective than sharding. Option D is wrong because ElastiCache does not support Lambda extensions.
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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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
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