SCS-C02 Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This SCS-C02 practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
An IAM user reports that they are unable to launch an EC2 instance in a specific VPC. The user has an IAM policy that allows ec2:RunInstances for all resources. The VPC has a network ACL that allows all inbound and outbound traffic. What is the most likely cause of the failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The IAM policy does not grant permission to use the subnet.
Option D is correct because the user needs to specify a subnet when launching an instance, and the IAM policy may not grant permission for the specific subnet if it has a condition. However, the more likely cause is that the user does not have permission to use the subnet resource. Option A is wrong because the VPC is not a resource that requires IAM permissions for the instance launch; the instance is launched into a subnet. Option B is wrong because security groups do not affect the ability to launch instances. Option C is wrong because network ACLs do not affect the ability to launch instances.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 IAM policy does not grant permission to use the VPC.
Why it's wrong here
The VPC itself is not a resource that requires IAM permission for launching instances.
✗
The security group associated with the instance is blocking the launch.
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not block instance launches; they control traffic after launch.
✓
The IAM policy does not grant permission to use the subnet.
Why this is correct
Launching an instance requires permission for the subnet resource, and the policy may not include it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Network ACLs do not affect the ability to launch instances.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The IAM policy does not grant permission to use the subnet. — Option D is correct because the user needs to specify a subnet when launching an instance, and the IAM policy may not grant permission for the specific subnet if it has a condition. However, the more likely cause is that the user does not have permission to use the subnet resource. Option A is wrong because the VPC is not a resource that requires IAM permissions for the instance launch; the instance is launched into a subnet. Option B is wrong because security groups do not affect the ability to launch instances. Option C is wrong because network ACLs do not affect the ability to launch instances.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SCS-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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