- A
No, because there is an explicit deny elsewhere.
Why wrong: Explicit deny not mentioned.
- B
Yes, because s3:* allows all actions.
Why wrong: Resource restriction limits the action.
- C
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
ListBucket requires bucket-level ARN.
- D
Yes, because the user has permission to access objects.
Why wrong: ListBucket is not an object-level action.
Question 1,420 of 1,748
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.
An IAM policy has the following statement: {"Effect":"Allow","Action":"s3:*","Resource":"arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"}. A user with this policy tries to perform s3:ListBucket on 'my-bucket'. Will the request succeed?
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
✓
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
The policy grants permission for s3:* actions only on objects within the bucket (arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*). The s3:ListBucket action is a bucket-level operation that requires permission on the bucket resource itself (arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket). Since the policy does not allow any actions on the bucket resource, the request is denied. Therefore, option C is correct: the request fails because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself. Option A is incorrect because there is no explicit deny; the failure is due to lack of an allow statement. Option B is incorrect because s3:* is restricted to objects only, not the bucket. Option D is incorrect because ListBucket is not an object-level action.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
No, because there is an explicit deny elsewhere.
Why it's wrong here
Explicit deny not mentioned.
- ✗
Yes, because s3:* allows all actions.
Why it's wrong here
Resource restriction limits the action.
- ✓
No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself.
Why this is correct
ListBucket requires bucket-level ARN.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Yes, because the user has permission to access objects.
Why it's wrong here
ListBucket is not an object-level action.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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Identity and Access Management — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SCS-C02 question test?
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: No, because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself. — The policy grants permission for s3:* actions only on objects within the bucket (arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*). The s3:ListBucket action is a bucket-level operation that requires permission on the bucket resource itself (arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket). Since the policy does not allow any actions on the bucket resource, the request is denied. Therefore, option C is correct: the request fails because the resource ARN does not include the bucket itself. Option A is incorrect because there is no explicit deny; the failure is due to lack of an allow statement. Option B is incorrect because s3:* is restricted to objects only, not the bucket. Option D is incorrect because ListBucket is not an object-level action.
What should I do if I get this SCS-C02 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SCS-C02 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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