The answer is to define the AWS::Serverless::Function resource in the template, along with packaging the application using the AWS SAM CLI and uploading the artifact to an Amazon S3 bucket. These three steps form the core workflow for deploying a serverless application using CloudFormation and SAM because the AWS::Serverless::Function resource is a shorthand for generating the underlying Lambda function, IAM role, and event source mappings, while the SAM CLI handles the packaging and uploading of the code bundle to S3 before CloudFormation can reference it. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the SAM deployment pipeline versus manual CloudFormation resource definitions, and a common trap is confusing prerequisites like having an IAM role already created with an actual deployment step. Remember the mnemonic "Define, Package, Upload" to recall that you must define the serverless resource in the template, package the application locally, and upload the artifact to S3—skipping any optional components like VPC configuration.
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.
Which THREE steps are required to deploy a serverless application using AWS CloudFormation? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the AWS::Serverless::Transform to enable SAM
Options A, C, and E are correct. Option B is incorrect because it is not a step; it is a prerequisite. Option D is incorrect because a VPC is optional.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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::Serverless::Transform to enable SAM
Why this is correct
The SAM transform is required to use serverless resources.
VPC is optional; not required for all serverless apps.
✗
Create an S3 bucket for the deployment artifact
Why it's wrong here
The bucket is used to upload artifacts, but it is not defined in the template.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the AWS::Serverless::Transform to enable SAM — Options A, C, and E are correct. Option B is incorrect because it is not a step; it is a prerequisite. Option D is incorrect because a VPC is optional.
What should I do if I get this SOA-C02 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SOA-C02 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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