- A
Create a cross-Region read replica of the primary RDS instance in the secondary Region
RDS cross-Region read replicas provide automated asynchronous replication to another Region, meeting the DR requirement cost-effectively.
- B
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
Why wrong: DMS is typically used for one-time migrations or ongoing replication, but it requires additional setup and cost for continuous synchronization; RDS Read Replicas are simpler and more cost-effective.
- C
Set up a cron job on an EC2 instance to export the database and import it into the secondary Region
Why wrong: This method is manual, error-prone, and not automated or cost-effective for continuous replication.
- D
Enable Multi-AZ on the primary RDS instance and configure a read replica in the secondary Region
Why wrong: Multi-AZ is for high availability within a Region, not cross-Region replication; you can create a cross-Region read replica directly without Multi-AZ.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a cross-Region read replica of the primary RDS instance in the secondary Region. This solution is the most cost-effective and automated because Amazon RDS handles the asynchronous replication of data from the primary database to a read replica in another Region, eliminating the need for custom scripts or separate infrastructure. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of disaster recovery patterns versus high availability: a common trap is confusing Multi-AZ (which provides failover within a single Region) with cross-Region read replicas (which support geographic redundancy). Remember that Multi-AZ is for availability, while cross-Region read replicas are for disaster recovery and read scaling. A useful memory tip is "Multi-AZ for AZ, cross-Region for Region"—if the requirement spans Regions, think read replicas.
SOA-C02 Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation Practice Question
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 needs to deploy a web application across multiple AWS Regions for disaster recovery. The application uses Amazon RDS for MySQL and requires a secondary database in a different Region. What is the MOST cost-effective and automated solution to keep the databases synchronized?
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
Create a cross-Region read replica of the primary RDS instance in the secondary Region
Option C is correct because Amazon RDS Cross-Region Read Replicas automatically replicate data from the primary database to a secondary Region, providing a cost-effective solution without needing separate infrastructure. Option A is wrong because it requires manual scripting and is not fully automated. Option B is wrong because it uses RDS Multi-AZ, which is for high availability within a single Region, not cross-Region. Option D is wrong because it uses a custom replication solution that is not managed by AWS.
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.
- ✓
Create a cross-Region read replica of the primary RDS instance in the secondary Region
Why this is correct
RDS cross-Region read replicas provide automated asynchronous replication to another Region, meeting the DR requirement cost-effectively.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication
Why it's wrong here
DMS is typically used for one-time migrations or ongoing replication, but it requires additional setup and cost for continuous synchronization; RDS Read Replicas are simpler and more cost-effective.
- ✗
Set up a cron job on an EC2 instance to export the database and import it into the secondary Region
Why it's wrong here
This method is manual, error-prone, and not automated or cost-effective for continuous replication.
- ✗
Enable Multi-AZ on the primary RDS instance and configure a read replica in the secondary Region
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ is for high availability within a Region, not cross-Region replication; you can create a cross-Region read replica directly without Multi-AZ.
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.
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Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — study guide chapter
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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: Create a cross-Region read replica of the primary RDS instance in the secondary Region — Option C is correct because Amazon RDS Cross-Region Read Replicas automatically replicate data from the primary database to a secondary Region, providing a cost-effective solution without needing separate infrastructure. Option A is wrong because it requires manual scripting and is not fully automated. Option B is wrong because it uses RDS Multi-AZ, which is for high availability within a single Region, not cross-Region. Option D is wrong because it uses a custom replication solution that is not managed by AWS.
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
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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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