- A
Increase the desired capacity of the Auto Scaling group before patching.
Why wrong: This adds capacity but does not gracefully handle connection draining.
- B
Stop all instances at the same time to apply patches consistently.
Why wrong: Stopping all instances simultaneously causes downtime.
- C
Perform a rolling update using a batch size of 50% with a pause time.
Rolling update ensures that only a portion of instances are replaced at a time.
- D
Use an Auto Scaling lifecycle hook to wait for a custom action before terminating instances.
Lifecycle hooks allow draining connections before termination.
- E
Use Amazon Inspector to automatically patch instances.
Why wrong: Inspector identifies vulnerabilities but does not patch.
Question 1,205 of 1,746
SAP-C02 Rolling update 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. A key principle to apply: rolling update. 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 critical application on EC2 instances in an Auto Scaling group. They want to ensure that during a patching cycle, the application remains available and no requests are dropped. Which TWO strategies should they implement? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Perform a rolling update using a batch size of 50% with a pause time.
Option C (rolling update with a batch size of 50% and pause time) is correct because it gradually replaces instances, allowing the application to remain available during patching. Option D (lifecycle hook for custom action before termination) is correct because it can drain connections gracefully before an instance is terminated. Option A is wrong because increasing desired capacity does not guarantee no dropped requests during patching and may cause additional cost. Option B is wrong because stopping all instances simultaneously causes downtime. Option E is wrong because Amazon Inspector only identifies vulnerabilities but does not apply patches.
Key principle: Rolling update
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the desired capacity of the Auto Scaling group before patching.
Why it's wrong here
This adds capacity but does not gracefully handle connection draining.
- ✗
Stop all instances at the same time to apply patches consistently.
Why it's wrong here
Stopping all instances simultaneously causes downtime.
- ✓
Perform a rolling update using a batch size of 50% with a pause time.
Why this is correct
Rolling update ensures that only a portion of instances are replaced at a time.
Related concept
Rolling update
- ✓
Use an Auto Scaling lifecycle hook to wait for a custom action before terminating instances.
Why this is correct
Lifecycle hooks allow draining connections before termination.
Related concept
Rolling update
- ✗
Use Amazon Inspector to automatically patch instances.
Why it's wrong here
Inspector identifies vulnerabilities but does not patch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse rolling updates with blue/green deployments or think lifecycle hooks are only for instance launch, not termination.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Rolling update
- Auto Scaling lifecycle hook
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
Rolling update
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.
Review rolling update, then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Rolling update.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Perform a rolling update using a batch size of 50% with a pause time. — Option C (rolling update with a batch size of 50% and pause time) is correct because it gradually replaces instances, allowing the application to remain available during patching. Option D (lifecycle hook for custom action before termination) is correct because it can drain connections gracefully before an instance is terminated. Option A is wrong because increasing desired capacity does not guarantee no dropped requests during patching and may cause additional cost. Option B is wrong because stopping all instances simultaneously causes downtime. Option E is wrong because Amazon Inspector only identifies vulnerabilities but does not apply patches.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Review rolling update, then practise related SAP-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Rolling update
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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