Quick Answer
The answer is the rehost strategy, also known as lift-and-shift, using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and Amazon EC2. This is correct because the 7 Rs migration strategy’s rehost option is explicitly designed for scenarios requiring no code changes, as it moves the application as-is to the cloud while preserving its existing architecture and dependencies. For the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to match migration strategies to strict constraints like compliance-driven code freezes and tight three-month timelines, where rehost’s speed and minimal disruption are critical. A common trap is confusing rehost with replatforming, which may involve minor optimizations that violate a no-code-change mandate. Remember the memory tip: “No code, no time, rehost is fine.”
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 critical application to AWS using the 7 Rs migration strategy. The application is tightly coupled with legacy infrastructure and has compliance requirements that prevent any code changes. The migration must be completed in 3 months. Which strategy is most appropriate?
Retain the application on-premises and use AWS Storage Gateway for backup.
Why wrong: Does not migrate the application.
Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and Amazon EC2.
No code changes needed, fast migration.
Replatform to use Amazon RDS for MySQL.
Why wrong: May require code changes to the database layer.
Refactor into microservices on Amazon ECS.
Why wrong: Requires significant code changes and time.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and Amazon EC2.
Option B is correct because rehosting (lift-and-shift) meets the no-code-change requirement and can be done quickly. Option A is wrong because replatforming may require changes. Option C is wrong because refactoring requires code changes. Option D is wrong because retaining the application on-premises does not meet the migration goal.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Retain the application on-premises and use AWS Storage Gateway for backup.
Why it's wrong here
Does not migrate the application.
Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and Amazon EC2.
Why this is correct
No code changes needed, fast migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Replatform to use Amazon RDS for MySQL.
Why it's wrong here
May require code changes to the database layer.
Refactor into microservices on Amazon ECS.
Why it's wrong here
Requires significant code changes and time.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — This question tests Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Rehost using AWS Application Migration Service (MGN) and Amazon EC2. — Option B is correct because rehosting (lift-and-shift) meets the no-code-change requirement and can be done quickly. Option A is wrong because replatforming may require changes. Option C is wrong because refactoring requires code changes. Option D is wrong because retaining the application on-premises does not meet the migration goal.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 company is migrating a critical application to AWS using the 7 Rs migration strategy. The application has a monolithic architecture and runs on a single large on-premises server. The business wants to reduce operational overhead but cannot afford any downtime. Which strategy should the solutions architect recommend?
hardWhy A: Rehost (lift-and-shift) moves the application as-is to minimize risk and downtime. Replatforming would require changes that could introduce downtime. Refactor/Re-architect would be too invasive. Retire is not applicable as the application is critical.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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