The correct approach is to use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication, also known as change data capture (CDC). This method minimizes downtime because DMS first performs a full load of the 500 GB MySQL database while the source remains fully operational, then continuously captures and applies incremental changes from the source to the target RDS instance. When you are ready to cut over, the target is nearly synchronized, reducing the downtime window to just seconds. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of live migration strategies versus offline methods; a common trap is choosing a simple one-time full load, which would require taking the source offline for hours. Remember the memory tip: “Full load first, then CDC—downtime is history.”
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. 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 migrating a web application from an on-premises data center to AWS. The application uses a MySQL database that is 500 GB in size. The company wants to minimize downtime during the migration. Which approach should the company use?
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 AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) allows you to perform a live migration with minimal downtime. You can start a full load of the 500 GB MySQL database while the source remains operational, then enable CDC to replicate ongoing changes until you cut over to the target RDS instance, reducing the downtime window to seconds.
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 an RDS read replica and promote it
Why it's wrong here
RDS read replica requires an existing RDS instance; not suitable for initial migration.
✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
Why this is correct
DMS migrates data while changes are replicated, minimizing downtime.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Stop the database, take a mysqldump, and restore to RDS
Why it's wrong here
Requires substantial downtime during dump and restore.
✗
Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to migrate the schema and data
Why it's wrong here
SCT converts schema; data migration still needs a separate tool like DMS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS DMS with AWS SCT, assuming SCT handles data migration, when in fact SCT only converts schema and code, while DMS is the service that performs the actual data migration with minimal downtime via CDC.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DMS uses a replication instance to connect to the source MySQL database and capture changes via MySQL binary logs (binlog) in row-based replication format. The full load phase uses parallel table loading and LOB handling optimizations, while CDC continuously applies transactions to the target, ensuring near-zero downtime during cutover. For a 500 GB database, the full load may take several hours, but CDC keeps the target synchronized so the final switch can be completed in minutes.
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.
Migration — This question tests Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication — AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication (change data capture, CDC) allows you to perform a live migration with minimal downtime. You can start a full load of the 500 GB MySQL database while the source remains operational, then enable CDC to replicate ongoing changes until you cut over to the target RDS instance, reducing the downtime window to seconds.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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