- A
Use AWS DMS with a full load only, without ongoing replication, and schedule a cutover window.
Why wrong: Without ongoing replication, changes after the full load are not replicated, causing data loss or extended downtime.
- B
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication from the source MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance.
This approach minimizes downtime by continuously replicating changes until cutover.
- C
Set up an Amazon Aurora MySQL DB cluster and use AWS DMS with the on-premises MySQL database as the source and the Aurora cluster as the target, enabling ongoing replication.
This allows continuous replication and leverages Aurora's performance and compatibility.
- D
Take a full database dump using mysqldump and import it into an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance during a planned maintenance window.
Why wrong: This causes significant downtime during the export/import process.
- E
Create an Amazon RDS for MySQL read replica from the on-premises database.
Why wrong: RDS read replica does not support replication from an on-premises database; it only works within AWS.
Quick Answer
The answer is to set up an Amazon Aurora MySQL DB cluster and use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from the on-premises MySQL database as the source. This approach is correct because AWS DMS’s ongoing replication (change data capture) continuously synchronizes changes, including the complex stored procedure that runs hourly and takes 10 minutes, allowing you to cut over with minimal downtime. On the AWS Certified SAP on AWS Specialty PAS-C01 exam, this tests your understanding of minimizing database migration downtime by leveraging DMS’s continuous sync rather than a one-time bulk load—a common trap is assuming stored procedures block replication, but DMS captures them as transactional changes. Remember the memory tip: “DMS keeps the beat, so your stored procedure doesn’t skip a beat.”
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 legacy on-premises application to AWS. The application uses a MySQL database with a complex stored procedure that runs every hour and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The company wants to minimize downtime during migration. Which TWO approaches should the company use to migrate the database?
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 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
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication from the source MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance.
Option B is correct because AWS DMS with ongoing replication allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon RDS for MySQL, minimizing downtime during migration. The complex stored procedure that runs hourly and takes 10 minutes is handled seamlessly as DMS captures ongoing changes, enabling a controlled cutover with minimal disruption.
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 AWS DMS with a full load only, without ongoing replication, and schedule a cutover window.
Why it's wrong here
Without ongoing replication, changes after the full load are not replicated, causing data loss or extended downtime.
- ✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication from the source MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance.
Why this is correct
This approach minimizes downtime by continuously replicating changes until cutover.
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.
- ✓
Set up an Amazon Aurora MySQL DB cluster and use AWS DMS with the on-premises MySQL database as the source and the Aurora cluster as the target, enabling ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
This allows continuous replication and leverages Aurora's performance and compatibility.
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.
- ✗
Take a full database dump using mysqldump and import it into an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance during a planned maintenance window.
Why it's wrong here
This causes significant downtime during the export/import process.
- ✗
Create an Amazon RDS for MySQL read replica from the on-premises database.
Why it's wrong here
RDS read replica does not support replication from an on-premises database; it only works within AWS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume mysqldump or a full-load-only DMS task is sufficient for minimizing downtime, overlooking the need for ongoing replication to handle continuous changes during the migration window.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS DMS uses change data capture (CDC) to read the MySQL binary logs (binlog) in row-based format, capturing ongoing transactions without locking the source database for extended periods. The stored procedure's execution is captured as a series of row changes, ensuring that even complex logic is replicated accurately. In a real-world scenario, if the stored procedure modifies large volumes of data, DMS may need additional tuning of the task settings (e.g., MaxFullLoadSubTasks) to avoid lag during the hourly run.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PAS-C01 question test?
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 from the source MySQL database to an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance. — Option B is correct because AWS DMS with ongoing replication allows continuous synchronization from the source MySQL database to Amazon RDS for MySQL, minimizing downtime during migration. The complex stored procedure that runs hourly and takes 10 minutes is handled seamlessly as DMS captures ongoing changes, enabling a controlled cutover with minimal disruption.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on PAS-C01
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is migrating a custom CRM application to AWS. The application uses a PostgreSQL database. Which migration approach minimizes downtime?
easy- ✓ A.Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication (CDC).
- B.Use AWS Backup to create a snapshot and restore to RDS.
- C.Take a full backup of the source database, restore to RDS for PostgreSQL, and then cut over.
- D.Use pg_dump to export the database and pg_restore to import into RDS.
Why A: Option B is correct because DMS with CDC enables near-zero downtime. Option A is incorrect because it requires downtime. Option C is incorrect because it adds complexity. Option D is incorrect because AWS Backup is for backups, not migration.
Variation 2. A company is migrating a monolithic application to AWS. The application has a relational database with complex queries and requires low-latency read replicas. Which database migration strategy minimizes downtime and supports heterogeneous migrations?
medium- A.Use AWS Backup to take a full backup and restore to Amazon RDS.
- B.Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) to convert the schema and perform a homogeneous migration.
- C.Use Amazon Redshift Spectrum to query the data in place.
- ✓ D.Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Why D: Option C is correct because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) supports heterogeneous migrations (e.g., Oracle to Aurora) and can minimize downtime using ongoing replication. Option A is wrong because it is for homogeneous migrations. Option B is wrong because it is a backup/restore tool, not a live migration service. Option D is wrong because it is for data warehouse workloads, not transactional databases.
Variation 3. A company is moving their SAP Business One application from an on-premises data center to AWS. The application runs on Windows Server and uses Microsoft SQL Server. They want to use Amazon EC2 for the application and Amazon RDS for SQL Server for the database. They have already used AWS SCT to assess the database schema and found that it is compatible. What should they do next to migrate the database with minimal downtime?
easy- A.Export the database to flat files and upload to S3, then import into RDS
- B.Use AWS SCT to convert the schema and then use AWS DMS
- ✓ C.Use AWS DMS to perform a full load and then enable ongoing replication
- D.Take a full backup of the on-premises SQL Server, upload it to Amazon S3, and restore to RDS
Why C: Option B is correct because AWS DMS can perform a full load and then continuously replicate changes to minimize downtime. Option A is wrong because copying the backup to S3 and restoring to RDS would require downtime during the restore. Option C is wrong because they already assessed compatibility with SCT. Option D is wrong because manual export/import requires downtime.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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