- A
Amazon DynamoDB with global tables
Why wrong: DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not relational, and global tables provide multi-region replication, not read replicas.
- B
Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas
Aurora provides Multi-AZ with automatic failover and up to 15 Aurora Replicas for read scaling.
- C
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with replication groups
Why wrong: ElastiCache is an in-memory cache, not a relational database.
- D
Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ and Read Replicas
RDS for MySQL supports Multi-AZ for failover and Read Replicas for read scaling.
Question 1,446 of 1,746
Relational DB with Read Replicas and Multi-AZ: Aurora vs RDS
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of design for new 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 is deploying a web application on AWS. The application requires a relational database with read replicas for scaling read queries. The database must support automatic failover and be Multi-AZ. Which database solution meets these requirements?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas
Both Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas (Option B) and Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ and Read Replicas (Option D) meet the requirements of a relational database with read replicas for scaling read queries, automatic failover, and Multi-AZ. Aurora offers tighter integration because Aurora Replicas serve both as read replicas and failover targets, while RDS for MySQL uses separate read replicas and a Multi-AZ standby for failover; nevertheless, both solutions satisfy the stated requirements.
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.
- ✗
Amazon DynamoDB with global tables
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not relational, and global tables provide multi-region replication, not read replicas.
- ✓
Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas
Why this is correct
Aurora provides Multi-AZ with automatic failover and up to 15 Aurora Replicas for read scaling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with replication groups
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is an in-memory cache, not a relational database.
- ✓
Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ and Read Replicas
Why this is correct
RDS for MySQL supports Multi-AZ for failover and Read Replicas for read scaling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap is that some may think only Aurora works because it combines read replicas and failover, but RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ and separate Read Replicas also meets the requirements; both are correct answers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Aurora Replicas share the same underlying storage volume as the primary instance, so there is no replication lag from copying data; instead, they read from the same distributed storage fleet. During failover, Aurora automatically promotes one of the Aurora Replicas to the primary instance by updating the DNS record, and the storage remains intact because it is decoupled from compute. This contrasts with RDS for MySQL Read Replicas, which use asynchronous replication and can have lag, and Multi-AZ failover in RDS for MySQL uses a standby in a different AZ that cannot serve reads until promoted.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
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: Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas — Both Amazon Aurora with Multi-AZ and Aurora Replicas (Option B) and Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ and Read Replicas (Option D) meet the requirements of a relational database with read replicas for scaling read queries, automatic failover, and Multi-AZ. Aurora offers tighter integration because Aurora Replicas serve both as read replicas and failover targets, while RDS for MySQL uses separate read replicas and a Multi-AZ standby for failover; nevertheless, both solutions satisfy the stated requirements.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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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