The answer is that the policy resource must be set to the specific user ARN, not a wildcard. The `iam:ChangePassword` action is a resource-level permission that requires the ARN of the user whose password is being changed, typically expressed as `arn:aws:iam::*:user/${aws:username}`. Using a wildcard `"*"` for the resource causes the API call to fail because AWS interprets it as an attempt to change any user's password, which is not allowed without explicit user-level targeting. On the AWS Certified Security Specialty SCS-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of IAM policy resource constraints for user-specific actions, a common trap where candidates assume a broad resource works for all identity-based actions. Remember that `ChangePassword` is unique—it must reference the individual user, unlike `GetAccountPasswordPolicy` which can use a wildcard. A helpful memory tip: "Change your own password, not everyone's—use the user ARN, not the star."
SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
A security engineer is analyzing an IAM policy that is attached to a group. The policy is intended to allow users to manage their own credentials. However, users are reporting that they cannot change their password. The policy is:
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy resource is set to "*", but ChangePassword requires the resource to be the specific user ARN.
Option B is correct: the ChangePassword action requires the resource ARN to be the user's own ARN. With a wildcard, it fails. Option A is false. Option C is false; the action is correct. Option D is false.
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.
✗
The policy does not include the iam:UpdateLoginProfile action.
Why it's wrong here
ChangePassword is the correct action for console password change.
✗
The policy should be attached to the user instead of the group.
Why it's wrong here
Group attachment is fine.
✗
The policy is missing the iam:CreateLoginProfile action.
Why it's wrong here
Not needed for password change.
✓
The policy resource is set to "*", but ChangePassword requires the resource to be the specific user ARN.
Why this is correct
IAM enforces that ChangePassword must be scoped to the user's own ARN.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
Identify which SCS-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.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy resource is set to "*", but ChangePassword requires the resource to be the specific user ARN. — Option B is correct: the ChangePassword action requires the resource ARN to be the user's own ARN. With a wildcard, it fails. Option A is false. Option C is false; the action is correct. Option D is false.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SCS-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.
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This SCS-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 SCS-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
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