- A
Manual scaling
Why wrong: Manual scaling is not automated.
- B
Scheduled scaling policy
Why wrong: Scheduled scaling is for predictable patterns, not spikes.
- C
Simple scaling policy
Why wrong: Simple scaling has cooldown periods that may not react quickly to spikes.
- D
Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70%
Target tracking adjusts capacity to maintain target, with built-in cooldown to avoid oscillation.
Question 1,242 of 1,546
Target Tracking Scaling Policy for CPU Spikes
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of reliability and business continuity. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 company is running a critical application on EC2 instances in an Auto Scaling group. The application experiences occasional CPU spikes. The SysOps administrator needs to configure a scaling policy that reacts quickly to increased load but avoids unnecessary scaling actions due to short bursts. Which scaling policy type should be used?
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
✓
Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70%
Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70% is correct because it dynamically adjusts the Auto Scaling group's desired capacity to maintain a specified metric (CPU utilization) at the target value. It uses a built-in algorithm that reacts quickly to sustained load increases while smoothing out short bursts by applying a cooldown and proportional control logic, preventing unnecessary scaling actions from transient spikes.
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.
- ✗
Manual scaling
Why it's wrong here
Manual scaling is not automated.
- ✗
Scheduled scaling policy
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled scaling is for predictable patterns, not spikes.
- ✗
Simple scaling policy
Why it's wrong here
Simple scaling has cooldown periods that may not react quickly to spikes.
- ✓
Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70%
Why this is correct
Target tracking adjusts capacity to maintain target, with built-in cooldown to avoid oscillation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose simple scaling (Option C) thinking it reacts quickly, but they overlook that simple scaling lacks the smoothing and proportional control needed to avoid unnecessary actions from short bursts, which is the exact requirement in the question.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Target tracking scaling uses a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller-like algorithm that continuously calculates the required capacity to keep the metric near the target, applying a cooldown that prevents flapping. Under the hood, AWS CloudWatch metrics are aggregated over a 5-minute period for the scaling decision, but the policy can also use a 'disaggregated' approach for faster response. In real-world scenarios, this avoids the 'thrashing' seen with simple scaling when CPU spikes from cron jobs or short-lived batch processes trigger unnecessary scale-outs.
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 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
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.
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Reliability and Business Continuity — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SOA-C02 question test?
Reliability and Business Continuity — This question tests Reliability and Business Continuity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70% — Target tracking scaling policy with a CPU utilization target of 70% is correct because it dynamically adjusts the Auto Scaling group's desired capacity to maintain a specified metric (CPU utilization) at the target value. It uses a built-in algorithm that reacts quickly to sustained load increases while smoothing out short bursts by applying a cooldown and proportional control logic, preventing unnecessary scaling actions from transient spikes.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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