- A
Use the AWS CLI to run a command on each instance to install the desired Node.js version.
Why wrong: Elastic Beanstalk manages instances; manual CLI commands are not recommended and would be overwritten during scaling.
- B
Use the Elastic Beanstalk console to change the platform version after the environment is created.
Why wrong: Platform version cannot be changed after environment creation; you must create a new environment.
- C
Set an environment property 'NODE_VERSION' to the desired version.
Why wrong: Environment properties do not control the Node.js version; they are available to the application as environment variables.
- D
Include a configuration file in the .ebextensions folder that specifies the desired Node.js version.
.ebextensions files can modify the platform version or install additional packages.
Quick Answer
The answer is to include a configuration file in the .ebextensions folder that specifies the desired Node.js version. This works because Elastic Beanstalk processes .ebextensions configuration files during instance provisioning, allowing you to override the default platform runtime by executing commands or setting environment variables that install a specific Node.js version. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Elastic Beanstalk customization versus platform management—a common trap is confusing environment properties (which only set key-value pairs for your app) with platform-level runtime configuration. Remember that .ebextensions files are the only way to modify the underlying software stack without rebuilding the environment; changing the platform version after creation is not supported. Memory tip: think of .ebextensions as the "last mile" customization layer—it runs after the platform is set, so you can pin any Node.js version you need.
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. 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 company uses AWS Elastic Beanstalk to deploy a Node.js application. The application requires a specific version of Node.js that is not the default version provided by the Elastic Beanstalk platform. How can the administrator ensure that the correct Node.js version is installed on the environment's EC2 instances?
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
Include a configuration file in the .ebextensions folder that specifies the desired Node.js version.
Elastic Beanstalk allows customization via configuration files in the .ebextensions folder. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the environment properties are for environment variables, not platform settings. Option C is wrong because you cannot change the platform version after environment creation; you would need to create a new environment. Option D is wrong because the AWS CLI is not used for instance-level configuration.
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 the AWS CLI to run a command on each instance to install the desired Node.js version.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk manages instances; manual CLI commands are not recommended and would be overwritten during scaling.
- ✗
Use the Elastic Beanstalk console to change the platform version after the environment is created.
Why it's wrong here
Platform version cannot be changed after environment creation; you must create a new environment.
- ✗
Set an environment property 'NODE_VERSION' to the desired version.
Why it's wrong here
Environment properties do not control the Node.js version; they are available to the application as environment variables.
- ✓
Include a configuration file in the .ebextensions folder that specifies the desired Node.js version.
Why this is correct
.ebextensions files can modify the platform version or install additional packages.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Elastic Beanstalk manages instances; manual CLI commands are not recommended and would be overwritten during scaling.
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 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 SOA-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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Include a configuration file in the .ebextensions folder that specifies the desired Node.js version. — Elastic Beanstalk allows customization via configuration files in the .ebextensions folder. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the environment properties are for environment variables, not platform settings. Option C is wrong because you cannot change the platform version after environment creation; you would need to create a new environment. Option D is wrong because the AWS CLI is not used for instance-level configuration.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SOA-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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SOA-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 SOA-C02 exam.
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