The answer is AWS Compute Optimizer, as it is the dedicated service for generating EC2 rightsizing recommendations based on historical utilization data. It works by analyzing CloudWatch metrics for CPU, memory, network I/O, and storage over a lookback period, then applying machine learning to identify underutilized instances and suggest specific downsizing options that reduce cost without compromising performance. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between cost-optimization tools; a common trap is confusing Compute Optimizer with AWS Trusted Advisor, which provides general cost checks but lacks the granular, ML-driven rightsizing recommendations for EC2. Remember the memory tip: “Compute Optimizer computes the right size,” linking its name directly to its function of optimizing compute resource sizing based on actual usage patterns.
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 wants to identify underutilized Amazon EC2 instances that could be downsized to reduce costs. The administrator needs a tool that provides recommendations based on historical utilization data. Which AWS service should the administrator use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Compute Optimizer
AWS Compute Optimizer is the correct service because it analyzes historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) for EC2 instances and generates specific downsizing recommendations to reduce cost without sacrificing performance. It uses machine learning to identify underutilized resources and provides actionable guidance, making it the ideal tool for this use case.
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.
✗
AWS Trusted Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Trusted Advisor has cost optimization checks but is less granular than Compute Optimizer for instance right-sizing.
✓
AWS Compute Optimizer
Why this is correct
Compute Optimizer provides specific recommendations to downsize or terminate underutilized EC2 instances based on usage patterns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
AWS Cost Explorer
Why it's wrong here
Cost Explorer focuses on cost and usage analysis, not on right-sizing recommendations.
✗
AWS Budgets
Why it's wrong here
Budgets are used to set spending limits and alerts, not for analyzing resource utilization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse AWS Trusted Advisor's idle instance check with Compute Optimizer's detailed, ML-driven downsizing recommendations, but Trusted Advisor only flags instances with low average CPU utilization (e.g., below 10%) without considering memory, network, or storage patterns.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Compute Optimizer ingests CloudWatch metrics (e.g., CPU utilization at 5-minute intervals, memory utilization via custom metrics) and applies ML models trained on millions of AWS workloads to recommend optimal instance families (e.g., moving from m5.large to t3.medium). It also considers resource-specific constraints like network throughput and EBS bandwidth, ensuring recommendations are safe for production workloads. The service supports overprovisioned and underprovisioned findings, with a confidence score for each recommendation.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: AWS Compute Optimizer — AWS Compute Optimizer is the correct service because it analyzes historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) for EC2 instances and generates specific downsizing recommendations to reduce cost without sacrificing performance. It uses machine learning to identify underutilized resources and provides actionable guidance, making it the ideal tool for this use case.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. A SysOps administrator wants to identify Amazon EC2 instances that are underutilized to reduce costs. The administrator needs recommendations for rightsizing instances based on historical CPU and memory usage. Which AWS service provides these recommendations?
easy
A.AWS Cost Explorer
B.AWS Trusted Advisor
✓ C.AWS Compute Optimizer
D.AWS CloudTrail
Why C: AWS Compute Optimizer is the correct service because it analyzes historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, I/O, and network throughput) from Amazon CloudWatch and generates rightsizing recommendations for EC2 instances. It uses machine learning to identify underutilized instances and suggests instance types that better match workload requirements, directly addressing the need to reduce costs through rightsizing.
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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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