The answer is t3.large. This is correct because the CloudFormation template uses a condition with the Fn::If intrinsic function to evaluate the EnvType parameter, and when EnvType is set to 'prod', the condition resolves to true, selecting the instance type from the true branch—t3.large. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how CloudFormation conditions dynamically control resource properties based on parameter inputs, a common pattern for environment-specific deployments. A frequent trap is assuming the false branch (t2.micro) applies, but the condition logic explicitly checks for equality to 'prod'. Remember the memory tip: "Prod picks the premium—t3.large for production, t2.micro for everything else."
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A company uses AWS CloudFormation to deploy an EC2 instance. The template uses a condition to select the instance type based on the environment. The company deploys the stack with the parameter EnvType set to 'prod'. What will be the instance type of the created EC2 instance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
t3.large
The condition in the CloudFormation template evaluates to true when EnvType equals 'prod', so the EC2 instance is created with the instance type specified in the condition's true branch, which is t3.large. The template uses a condition like 'If(Equals(EnvType, 'prod'), t3.large, t2.micro)', and since the parameter is set to 'prod', the Fn::If intrinsic function returns 't3.large'.
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.
✓
t3.large
Why this is correct
The condition IsProduction is true, so Fn::If returns t3.large.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The instance type will be determined at runtime.
Why it's wrong here
The template explicitly sets the instance type based on the condition.
✗
The instance will not be created because the condition is false.
Why it's wrong here
The condition is used for instance type selection, not for resource creation.
✗
t2.micro
Why it's wrong here
t2.micro is returned only when EnvType is not prod.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse a false condition with skipping resource creation, but in this case the condition is used only to select a property value, not to conditionally create the resource itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFormation conditions are evaluated during stack operations using the Fn::If intrinsic function, which returns one of two values based on the condition's boolean result. The condition itself is defined in the Conditions section and can use functions like Fn::Equals, Fn::Not, or Fn::And. In this scenario, the condition likely checks if the EnvType parameter equals 'prod', and the Fn::If in the InstanceType property selects t3.large for the true branch and t2.micro for the false branch.
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
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: t3.large — The condition in the CloudFormation template evaluates to true when EnvType equals 'prod', so the EC2 instance is created with the instance type specified in the condition's true branch, which is t3.large. The template uses a condition like 'If(Equals(EnvType, 'prod'), t3.large, t2.micro)', and since the parameter is set to 'prod', the Fn::If intrinsic function returns 't3.large'.
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.
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 →
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.
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.