The correct answer combines Amazon Timestream for time-series data with SQL queries and Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics on data stored in S3. Timestream is purpose-built for time-series workloads, automatically tiering recent data into a low-latency memory store for the first 7 days while moving older data to a cost-optimized magnetic store, all while supporting standard SQL queries. Kinesis Data Analytics enables real-time SQL analysis on streaming data that can be persisted in S3, meeting both the low-latency requirement for recent data and the 90-day retention need. On the SAP-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish specialized time-series services from general-purpose databases; a common trap is choosing DynamoDB with TTL, which lacks complex SQL support, or Redshift, which introduces latency for recent data without continuous streaming ingestion. Memory tip: think “Timestream for time, Kinesis for stream” to recall the two SQL-capable, low-latency options for recent time-series data.
SAP-C02 Design for New Solutions Practice Question
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 designing a new solution to store and analyze large volumes of IoT sensor data. The data is time-series and must be retained for 90 days. The company needs to run complex SQL queries on the data and expects low latency for the most recent 7 days of data. Which TWO solutions meet these requirements? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics to analyze data in real-time and store results in S3.
Amazon Timestream is a time-series database that supports SQL queries and automatically tiers data. Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics + S3 can also provide SQL querying on streaming data stored in S3. Option A and Option D are correct. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB TTL is not for complex SQL. Option C is wrong because RDS is not optimized for time-series scale. Option E is wrong because Redshift is not low-latency for recent data without streaming.
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 Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics to analyze data in real-time and store results in S3.
Why this is correct
Kinesis Data Analytics can run SQL on streaming data and store results.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with TimescaleDB extension.
Why it's wrong here
Not as scalable as Timestream for IoT scale.
✗
Use Amazon Redshift with automated snapshot retention of 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
Redshift is not low-latency for recent data without streaming.
✓
Use Amazon Timestream for storing time-series data and run SQL queries.
Why this is correct
Timestream is purpose-built for time-series and supports SQL.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Amazon DynamoDB with TTL to expire data after 90 days and use PartiQL for queries.
Why it's wrong here
PartiQL is limited; DynamoDB is not optimal for time-series analytics.
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: Use Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics to analyze data in real-time and store results in S3. — Amazon Timestream is a time-series database that supports SQL queries and automatically tiers data. Amazon Kinesis Data Analytics + S3 can also provide SQL querying on streaming data stored in S3. Option A and Option D are correct. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB TTL is not for complex SQL. Option C is wrong because RDS is not optimized for time-series scale. Option E is wrong because Redshift is not low-latency for recent data without streaming.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.