Quick Answer
The correct choice is AWS CloudFormation with the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM), as this combination provides a declarative infrastructure as code framework specifically optimized for serverless resources like Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB. SAM extends CloudFormation by offering shorthand syntax and built-in best practices for defining serverless applications, enabling fully automated and repeatable deployments. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between services that manage infrastructure versus those that deploy code or run platforms—a common trap is confusing Elastic Beanstalk (which abstracts EC2) with serverless IaC. Remember that SAM is essentially CloudFormation “for serverless,” so when you see Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB together, think SAM. A handy memory tip: SAM stands for Serverless Application Model, and it always works inside a CloudFormation template.
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. 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 wants to deploy a serverless application using AWS Lambda functions, Amazon API Gateway, and Amazon DynamoDB. The deployment must be automated and repeatable. Which AWS service should the administrator use to define and manage this infrastructure as code?
AWS CodeDeploy
Why wrong: CodeDeploy deploys code to existing instances, not infrastructure.
AWS OpsWorks
Why wrong: OpsWorks is for configuration management, not serverless.
AWS Elastic Beanstalk
Why wrong: Elastic Beanstalk is for traditional web apps, not serverless.
AWS CloudFormation with the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM)
SAM is ideal for defining serverless resources as code.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CloudFormation with the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM)
AWS CloudFormation or the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM) are the best choices for infrastructure as code. SAM is an extension of CloudFormation specifically for serverless applications. Option B is wrong because Elastic Beanstalk is for web applications on EC2, not serverless. Option C is wrong because OpsWorks is for Chef/Puppet. Option D is wrong because CodeDeploy is for deploying code, not infrastructure.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS CodeDeploy
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy deploys code to existing instances, not infrastructure.
AWS OpsWorks
Why it's wrong here
OpsWorks is for configuration management, not serverless.
AWS Elastic Beanstalk
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk is for traditional web apps, not serverless.
AWS CloudFormation with the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM)
Why this is correct
SAM is ideal for defining serverless resources as code.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CloudFormation with the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM) — AWS CloudFormation or the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM) are the best choices for infrastructure as code. SAM is an extension of CloudFormation specifically for serverless applications. Option B is wrong because Elastic Beanstalk is for web applications on EC2, not serverless. Option C is wrong because OpsWorks is for Chef/Puppet. Option D is wrong because CodeDeploy is for deploying code, not infrastructure.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 wants to automate the creation of an AWS Lambda function and its associated IAM role using infrastructure as code. Which AWS service should be used?
easyWhy A: AWS CloudFormation is the correct service because it allows you to define both the Lambda function and its IAM role as infrastructure as code using a template (JSON or YAML). CloudFormation handles the creation, updating, and deletion of these resources in an orderly, repeatable manner, ensuring the IAM role is created before the Lambda function due to dependency management.
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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