The correct answer is to use a FIFO SQS queue and configure the Lambda function with reserved concurrency. This combination directly addresses both requirements: FIFO queues guarantee strict message ordering by design, while reserved concurrency prevents Lambda from throttling by allocating a fixed pool of execution slots exclusively for this function, ensuring messages are never sent to the dead-letter queue due to service limits. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Lambda’s concurrency models interact with SQS queue types—a common trap is confusing reserved concurrency (which prevents throttling) with provisioned concurrency (which pre-warms instances but doesn’t solve ordering). Remember the memory tip: “FIFO for flow, reserved for reliability”—if you need order and no throttling, you must lock in both the queue type and the concurrency cap.
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 designing a serverless application using AWS Lambda functions that process messages from an Amazon SQS queue. The Lambda function sometimes experiences throttling, causing messages to be sent to the dead-letter queue (DLQ). The company wants to minimize throttling and ensure that messages are processed in order. What should the solutions architect do?
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
✓
Use a FIFO SQS queue and configure the Lambda function with reserved concurrency.
Option B is correct. To process messages in order, you need a FIFO queue. Lambda with reserved concurrency ensures it doesn't throttle. Option A is incorrect because standard queues do not guarantee order. Option C is incorrect because increasing batch size does not prevent throttling; reserved concurrency does. Option D is incorrect because provisioned concurrency is for Lambda functions, not queues.
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.
✗
Use a standard SQS queue and configure a Lambda function with a higher concurrency limit.
Why it's wrong here
Standard queues do not guarantee ordering.
✗
Use an SQS FIFO queue with provisioned concurrency on the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
Provisioned concurrency is for Lambda, but for SQS-triggered functions, reserved concurrency is appropriate.
✗
Increase the batch size in the Lambda event source mapping and use a standard queue.
Why it's wrong here
Larger batch size does not prevent throttling and does not guarantee order.
✓
Use a FIFO SQS queue and configure the Lambda function with reserved concurrency.
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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: Use a FIFO SQS queue and configure the Lambda function with reserved concurrency. — Option B is correct. To process messages in order, you need a FIFO queue. Lambda with reserved concurrency ensures it doesn't throttle. Option A is incorrect because standard queues do not guarantee order. Option C is incorrect because increasing batch size does not prevent throttling; reserved concurrency does. Option D is incorrect because provisioned concurrency is for Lambda functions, not queues.
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.
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Question Discussion
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