- A
Use an automation document to update the SSM Agent and schedule it via a cron job on each instance.
Why wrong: Manual scheduling on each instance is not scalable.
- B
Enable the 'Auto-update SSM Agent' option in the EC2 launch settings for all instances.
Why wrong: This option is not available in launch settings; auto-update is a feature of the agent itself.
- C
Configure AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to update the SSM Agent.
Why wrong: Patch Manager updates OS patches, not the SSM Agent.
- D
Create an AWS Systems Manager State Manager association that runs the AWS-UpdateSSMAgent document on the instances.
State Manager ensures compliance and automatic updates.
Question 596 of 1,733
PAS-C01 Technology Practice Question
This PAS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of technology. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 uses AWS Systems Manager to run automation documents on their SAP EC2 instances. Recently, some automation runbooks have failed because the EC2 instances did not have the required SSM Agent version. The operations team wants to ensure all existing and future instances automatically have the latest SSM Agent. Which solution meets this requirement?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an AWS Systems Manager State Manager association that runs the AWS-UpdateSSMAgent document on the instances.
Option D is correct because AWS Systems Manager State Manager can enforce a desired state configuration on EC2 instances. By creating an association that runs the `AWS-UpdateSSMAgent` document on a schedule, State Manager ensures that both existing and future instances (when configured with the appropriate instance profile and tags) automatically update to the latest SSM Agent version, regardless of the instance's lifecycle.
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 automation document to update the SSM Agent and schedule it via a cron job on each instance.
Why it's wrong here
Manual scheduling on each instance is not scalable.
- ✗
Enable the 'Auto-update SSM Agent' option in the EC2 launch settings for all instances.
Why it's wrong here
This option is not available in launch settings; auto-update is a feature of the agent itself.
- ✗
Configure AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to update the SSM Agent.
Why it's wrong here
Patch Manager updates OS patches, not the SSM Agent.
- ✓
Create an AWS Systems Manager State Manager association that runs the AWS-UpdateSSMAgent document on the instances.
Why this is correct
State Manager ensures compliance and automatic updates.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Patch Manager's OS patching capabilities with SSM Agent updates, or assume a non-existent EC2 launch setting exists, leading them to choose options that sound plausible but are technically incorrect.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
State Manager associations use a configuration document (such as `AWS-UpdateSSMAgent`) and can be targeted to instances based on tags, resource groups, or instance IDs. The association can be set to run on a schedule (e.g., every 30 minutes) or on a one-time basis, and it automatically applies to new instances that match the target criteria. Under the hood, State Manager uses the SSM Agent's own update mechanism, which downloads and installs the latest agent version from the AWS Systems Manager service endpoint, ensuring compliance without manual intervention.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
Technology — This question tests Technology — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an AWS Systems Manager State Manager association that runs the AWS-UpdateSSMAgent document on the instances. — Option D is correct because AWS Systems Manager State Manager can enforce a desired state configuration on EC2 instances. By creating an association that runs the `AWS-UpdateSSMAgent` document on a schedule, State Manager ensures that both existing and future instances (when configured with the appropriate instance profile and tags) automatically update to the latest SSM Agent version, regardless of the instance's lifecycle.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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