Quick Answer
The answer is that the output indicates the alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK. This is correct because the `describe-alarm-history` output shows two sequential state transition datapoints: the first at `2021-03-15T10:30:00Z` records `oldState` OK and `newState` ALARM, and the second at `2021-03-15T10:35:00Z` records `oldState` ALARM and `newState` OK, confirming a full ALARM-to-OK cycle. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this tests your ability to interpret CloudWatch alarm history output and distinguish between a single state change and a complete transition cycle. A common trap is focusing only on the latest timestamp and missing the earlier ALARM entry, which would lead you to incorrectly assume the alarm simply remained in OK. Remember the memory tip: “Two timestamps tell the tale—first the trouble, then the bail.”
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging, and remediation. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A SysOps administrator runs the command shown to investigate a CloudWatch alarm named 'HighCPU'. What does the output indicate?
The alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK.
The history shows transition to ALARM then to OK.
The alarm was deleted and recreated.
Why wrong: There is no indication of deletion.
The alarm is currently in INSUFFICIENT_DATA state.
Why wrong: The last state is OK, not INSUFFICIENT_DATA.
The alarm never entered the ALARM state.
Why wrong: It did enter ALARM at 10:25.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK.
The output shows two state transition datapoints: one at timestamp 2021-03-15T10:30:00Z with 'oldState' OK and 'newState' ALARM, and another at 2021-03-15T10:35:00Z with 'oldState' ALARM and 'newState' OK. This sequence confirms the alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK, which is exactly what the describe-alarm-history command reveals when an alarm has experienced a full ALARM-to-OK cycle.
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.
The alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK.
Why this is correct
The history shows transition to ALARM then to OK.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The alarm was deleted and recreated.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of deletion.
The alarm is currently in INSUFFICIENT_DATA state.
Why it's wrong here
The last state is OK, not INSUFFICIENT_DATA.
The alarm never entered the ALARM state.
Why it's wrong here
It did enter ALARM at 10:25.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may misinterpret the two datapoints as separate unrelated events rather than recognizing them as a complete ALARM-to-OK cycle, leading them to incorrectly choose that the alarm never entered ALARM state or that it was recreated.
Detailed technical explanation
The describe-alarm-history API returns state transitions stored in CloudWatch, each with a timestamp, oldState, and newState. The alarm's state machine transitions are: OK -> ALARM (when a breach occurs), ALARM -> OK (when the metric returns to a non-breaching value), and any state -> INSUFFICIENT_DATA (when data is missing). In real-world scenarios, an alarm that briefly spikes into ALARM and then recovers is common for bursty workloads, and understanding the history helps distinguish transient issues from persistent problems.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SOA-C02 questions
1,546 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SOA-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Reliability and Business Continuity.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Networking and Content Delivery.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to Cost and Performance Optimization.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to SOA-C02 fundamentals.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to SOA-C02 scenario.
Practise SOA-C02 questions linked to SOA-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — This question tests Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK. — The output shows two state transition datapoints: one at timestamp 2021-03-15T10:30:00Z with 'oldState' OK and 'newState' ALARM, and another at 2021-03-15T10:35:00Z with 'oldState' ALARM and 'newState' OK. This sequence confirms the alarm entered the ALARM state and then returned to OK, which is exactly what the describe-alarm-history command reveals when an alarm has experienced a full ALARM-to-OK cycle.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.