The answer is to use an Amazon SQS queue to buffer events from S3 before processing by Lambda and to configure DynamoDB with on-demand capacity. This combination ensures the serverless pipeline can handle burst traffic without data loss because SQS decouples the S3 event notification from the Lambda function, acting as a durable buffer that absorbs spikes in upload volume, while DynamoDB on-demand mode automatically scales write capacity to prevent throttling during sudden load. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of decoupling patterns and capacity management under unpredictable traffic—a common trap is to overcomplicate with Lambda timeouts or DynamoDB Streams, which address execution limits or change capture, not burst absorption. For a quick memory tip, think “Queue the burst, scale the DB”: SQS holds the flood, on-demand DynamoDB drinks it dry.
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.
A company is building a serverless data processing pipeline using AWS Lambda, Amazon DynamoDB, and Amazon S3. The pipeline processes JSON files uploaded to an S3 bucket, transforms the data, and writes results to DynamoDB. The company wants to ensure the pipeline can handle bursts of traffic without data loss. Which TWO design decisions should the solutions architect make?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure DynamoDB with on-demand capacity mode.
Options A and C are correct. Using an SQS queue between S3 and Lambda decouples the processing and provides a buffer to handle bursts. Configuring DynamoDB with on-demand capacity handles sudden increases in writes without throttling. Option B is incorrect because Lambda function timeout does not prevent data loss; it only limits execution time. Option D is incorrect because DynamoDB Streams are for change capture, not for handling bursts. Option E is incorrect because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for faster uploads, not for burst handling.
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.
✓
Configure DynamoDB with on-demand capacity mode.
Why this is correct
On-demand capacity automatically scales to handle bursts without throttling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use an Amazon SQS queue to buffer events from S3 before processing by Lambda.
Why this is correct
SQS decouples and buffers messages, preventing loss during traffic bursts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the Lambda function timeout to 15 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout does not prevent data loss; it only allows longer execution.
✗
Use DynamoDB Streams to capture changes and process in batches.
Why it's wrong here
Streams are for change data capture, not for handling burst traffic.
✗
Enable S3 Transfer Acceleration on the bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Acceleration speeds up uploads, not processing.
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 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
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.
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: Configure DynamoDB with on-demand capacity mode. — Options A and C are correct. Using an SQS queue between S3 and Lambda decouples the processing and provides a buffer to handle bursts. Configuring DynamoDB with on-demand capacity handles sudden increases in writes without throttling. Option B is incorrect because Lambda function timeout does not prevent data loss; it only limits execution time. Option D is incorrect because DynamoDB Streams are for change capture, not for handling bursts. Option E is incorrect because S3 Transfer Acceleration is for faster uploads, not for burst handling.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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