The answer is to increase the function memory to 512 MB or higher, which directly enables Lambda cost optimization by increasing memory. This works because AWS Lambda allocates CPU and network bandwidth proportionally to memory, so a higher memory setting dramatically reduces execution time for compute-bound tasks—often lowering total cost despite the higher per-GB-second rate, as you pay only for actual compute time. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding that Lambda cost is a function of both memory and duration; a common trap is assuming more memory always raises cost, when in fact faster execution can yield net savings. Pair this with enabling reserved concurrency to prevent cold starts and ensure consistent performance for large files. Memory tip: think “more memory, less time, lower bill”—the faster your function finishes, the less you pay overall.
SOA-C02 Cost and Performance Optimization Practice Question
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of cost and performance optimization. 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 SysOps administrator is optimizing an AWS Lambda function that processes data from an S3 bucket. The function currently runs with 128 MB memory and a 5-second timeout. The function experiences timeouts for large files. The administrator wants to improve performance and reduce cost. Which TWO actions should they take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable provisioned concurrency to reduce cold starts.
Options A and D are correct because increasing memory often reduces execution time and cost due to faster processing, and enabling reserved concurrency prevents cold starts and ensures capacity. Option B is wrong because increasing timeout alone does not improve performance and may increase cost. Option C is wrong because provisioning more functions does not affect a single function's performance. Option E is wrong because moving to S3 Standard-IA is for storage cost, not compute.
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.
✗
Increase the function timeout to 15 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
Longer timeout does not speed up processing; it only allows longer runs.
✓
Enable provisioned concurrency to reduce cold starts.
Why this is correct
Provisioned concurrency reduces latency, improving performance for the function.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the S3 event notification to use S3 Standard-IA for the input files.
Why it's wrong here
Storage class does not affect Lambda performance.
✗
Create multiple Lambda functions to process different files concurrently.
Why it's wrong here
This does not help a single large file; it could increase concurrency but not per-function performance.
✓
Increase the function memory to 512 MB or higher.
Why this is correct
More memory often correlates with more CPU, reducing execution time and overall cost.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
Cost and Performance Optimization — This question tests Cost and Performance Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable provisioned concurrency to reduce cold starts. — Options A and D are correct because increasing memory often reduces execution time and cost due to faster processing, and enabling reserved concurrency prevents cold starts and ensures capacity. Option B is wrong because increasing timeout alone does not improve performance and may increase cost. Option C is wrong because provisioning more functions does not affect a single function's performance. Option E is wrong because moving to S3 Standard-IA is for storage cost, not compute.
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.
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 →
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 SysOps administrator reviews the Lambda invocation metrics for a function. The function processes data from an S3 bucket and is triggered by S3 events. The cost for this function is higher than expected. What should the administrator do to reduce costs?
easy
A.Set a reserved concurrency limit to cap the number of concurrent executions.
B.Change the function to be invoked on a schedule instead of by S3 events.
✓ C.Increase the function's memory allocation to reduce execution time.
D.Reduce the function's memory allocation to lower cost per invocation.
Why C: The correct answer is B. The function has very high invocations during peak hours (12:00-14:00). Increasing memory reduces execution time, which can lower total cost because Lambda pricing is based on compute time. Option A is wrong because reducing memory increases duration and may increase cost. Option C is wrong because the function is already triggered by events; changing to scheduled invocation may not meet requirements. Option D is wrong because concurrency limit does not reduce total invocations.
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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.
Question Discussion
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