The correct answer is that the policy allows launching any number of t3.micro instances, which can increase costs if many instances are launched. This is because the IAM policy restricts the instance type to t3.micro for cost control, but it imposes no limit on the count of instances, so a user could spin up dozens or hundreds of these low-cost instances, driving up total spend. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how IAM policies can enforce instance type restrictions without addressing resource quantity, a common trap where candidates assume a cheap instance type automatically guarantees cost optimization. The key insight is that cost control requires both type and count limitations, not just type alone. Memory tip: “Type limits cost per unit, but count limits total cost—don’t forget the throttle.”
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 attached the IAM policy shown to a user. The user needs to launch EC2 instances for a cost-sensitive project. What is the impact of this policy on cost optimization?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy allows launching any number of t3.micro instances, potentially increasing costs if many instances are launched.
The correct answer is B. The policy allows running instances only of type t3.micro, which is a low-cost instance. However, it does not restrict the number of instances, so a user could launch many instances, increasing costs. Option A is wrong because the policy restricts instance type. Option C is wrong because t3.micro is a small instance, not a large one. Option D is wrong because the policy does allow running instances with a condition.
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.
✓
The policy allows launching any number of t3.micro instances, potentially increasing costs if many instances are launched.
Why this is correct
No limit on instance count can lead to cost overrun.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy is too restrictive because it only allows t3.micro instances, which may not be sufficient for production workloads.
Why it's wrong here
The question is about cost optimization, not sufficiency.
✗
The policy does not allow launching any instances because the condition is on RunInstances.
Why it's wrong here
The condition allows t3.micro instances.
✗
The policy ensures cost control by allowing only t3.micro instances, which are the cheapest.
Why it's wrong here
It allows any number of t3.micro instances, which could lead to high aggregate costs.
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: The policy allows launching any number of t3.micro instances, potentially increasing costs if many instances are launched. — The correct answer is B. The policy allows running instances only of type t3.micro, which is a low-cost instance. However, it does not restrict the number of instances, so a user could launch many instances, increasing costs. Option A is wrong because the policy restricts instance type. Option C is wrong because t3.micro is a small instance, not a large one. Option D is wrong because the policy does allow running instances with a condition.
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.
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Question Discussion
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