The correct answer is to rehost (lift-and-shift) the Windows SQL Server application to Amazon EC2. This strategy is ideal because it moves the monolithic application as-is to AWS, requiring no code changes or database refactoring, which directly aligns with the company’s goal of minimizing re-architecting effort and migration time. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your ability to select the appropriate migration strategy based on business constraints—specifically, when speed and minimal risk outweigh long-term optimization. A common trap is confusing rehost with replatform; remember that replatform (like moving SQL Server to Amazon RDS) still involves minor changes, while rehost keeps everything identical. For this exam, if the question emphasizes “no changes” and “fastest path,” always default to EC2 rehost. Memory tip: “Lift it as-is, skip the fizz” — rehost means no re-platforming, no refactoring, just a straight lift to EC2.
SAP-C02 Practice Question: Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of accelerate workload migration and modernization. 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 is migrating a monolithic e-commerce application to AWS. The application currently runs on a single on-premises server running Windows Server and SQL Server. The company wants to minimize re-architecting effort and time to migrate. Which migration strategy should the company use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Rehost the application on Amazon EC2 Windows instances with SQL Server
Option C is correct: Rehost (lift-and-shift) involves moving the application as-is to AWS, minimizing changes and time. Option A (Refactor) requires significant re-architecting. Option B (Replatform) involves some optimization but still requires changes. Option D (Retire) is not applicable as the application is needed.
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.
✗
Retire the application and replace it with a SaaS solution
Why it's wrong here
Retiring is not appropriate as the application is needed and not being replaced.
✗
Refactor the application to use microservices on Amazon ECS
Why it's wrong here
Refactoring requires significant re-architecting, increasing effort and time.
✓
Rehost the application on Amazon EC2 Windows instances with SQL Server
Why this is correct
Rehosting moves the application as-is, minimizing effort and time.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Replatform the application to use Amazon RDS for SQL Server
Why it's wrong here
Replatforming involves changes like moving to RDS, which still requires effort.
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.
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: Rehost the application on Amazon EC2 Windows instances with SQL Server — Option C is correct: Rehost (lift-and-shift) involves moving the application as-is to AWS, minimizing changes and time. Option A (Refactor) requires significant re-architecting. Option B (Replatform) involves some optimization but still requires changes. Option D (Retire) is not applicable as the application is needed.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A retail company is migrating its on-premises e-commerce application to AWS. The application currently runs on a single server with a MySQL database. The company wants to minimize operational overhead and improve scalability. Which migration strategy should be used?
easy
A.Re-platform the application to use AWS Elastic Beanstalk and Amazon RDS.
B.Repurchase a new SaaS-based e-commerce solution.
C.Refactor the application as microservices on Amazon ECS with Amazon Aurora Serverless.
✓ D.Rehost the application on Amazon EC2 and use Amazon RDS for MySQL.
Why D: Option A is correct because lift-and-shift (rehosting) is the fastest way to migrate with minimal changes, reducing operational overhead. Option B is wrong because refactoring takes more time. Option C is wrong because re-platforming still requires modifications. Option D is wrong because repurchasing would involve changing the application.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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.
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