The answer is to set up continuous replication using AWS DMS and perform a cutover. This approach minimizes downtime by keeping the self-managed MySQL instance on EC2 synchronized with the target Multi-AZ RDS instance in real time, allowing you to switch traffic with only a brief pause during the final cutover. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of high availability MySQL migration strategies, where DMS continuous replication is the key mechanism to achieve near-zero downtime while preserving data consistency. A common trap is confusing read replicas with DMS replication—read replicas are for read scaling, not cross-environment migration—or assuming EBS replication is suitable for database migration, which it is not. Remember the memory tip: DMS for migration, Multi-AZ for HA, and cutover for the final flip.
PAS-C01 Migration Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of migration. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An organization is migrating a multi-tier application to AWS. The web tier runs on EC2 instances behind an Application Load Balancer. The database tier uses a self-managed MySQL instance on EC2. To achieve high availability, they plan to use Multi-AZ deployment. Which migration step should they prioritize to ensure minimal downtime?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set up continuous replication using DMS and perform a cutover
Setting up read replicas and then failing over during cutover reduces downtime. Option D is correct. Option A is wrong because launching in one AZ defeats HA purpose. Option B is wrong because EBS replication is not appropriate for database. Option C is wrong because DMS continuous replication is needed.
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.
✓
Set up continuous replication using DMS and perform a cutover
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure Amazon EBS snapshots for the database volume
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots are for backup, not for ongoing replication.
✗
Use AWS DMS for one-time full load only
Why it's wrong here
One-time load does not allow cutover with zero downtime.
✗
Launch the database in a single Availability Zone first
Why it's wrong here
Single AZ does not provide high availability.
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 PAS-C01 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.
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: Set up continuous replication using DMS and perform a cutover — Setting up read replicas and then failing over during cutover reduces downtime. Option D is correct. Option A is wrong because launching in one AZ defeats HA purpose. Option B is wrong because EBS replication is not appropriate for database. Option C is wrong because DMS continuous replication is needed.
What should I do if I get this PAS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which PAS-C01 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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This PAS-C01 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 PAS-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
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