CV0-004 Operations and Support Practice Question
A cloud administrator wants to choose an auto-scaling policy that can respond to changing demand patterns. Which TWO policy types support dynamic adjustments based on real-time metrics? (Choose TWO)
⚠ Common exam trap
CV0-004 often tests the distinction between reactive policies (target tracking, step scaling) and proactive policies (predictive, scheduled), tricking candidates into selecting predictive scaling when the question emphasizes real-time metric response.
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
Target tracking scaling (B) is correct because it continuously adjusts capacity to keep a chosen metric (such as average CPU utilization or ALB request count per target) at a specified target value, reacting dynamically to real-time metric fluctuations. Step scaling (C) is also correct because it adds or removes capacity in defined step adjustments when a CloudWatch alarm breaches a threshold, allowing graduated responses to real-time metric changes. Predictive scaling (A) is not correct here because it forecasts future demand from historical patterns and provisions capacity ahead of time rather than reacting to real-time metrics. Scheduled scaling (D) is not correct because it scales based on a defined date/time schedule, not on live metrics. Simple scaling (E) is not correct because it performs a single fixed adjustment when an alarm triggers and then enforces a cooldown, so it does not provide the dynamic, metric-driven responsiveness described.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Predictive scaling
Why it's wrong here
Predictive scaling forecasts from historical patterns and provisions ahead of anticipated load; it does not adjust from real-time metrics. It suits recurring, predictable cycles, whereas the scenario requires reactive policies such as target-tracking or step scaling.
- ✓
Target tracking scaling
Why this is correct
Target tracking scaling continuously adjusts capacity to hold a chosen metric, such as average CPU utilisation, at a target value. It reacts to real-time metric changes automatically, satisfying the requirement for dynamic adjustment without manually defined thresholds.
- ✓
Step scaling
Why this is correct
Step scaling adds or removes capacity in defined increments when a CloudWatch alarm breaches a threshold. Because those alarms fire on live metric data, it delivers dynamic, real-time adjustment, unlike scheduled scaling, which acts only on predetermined times.
- ✗
Scheduled scaling
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled scaling triggers on calendar time, not real-time metrics, so it cannot react to live demand changes; it suits predictable peaks such as known business hours. The question demands metric-driven adjustment, which target-tracking and step scaling provide.
- ✗
Simple scaling
Why it's wrong here
Simple scaling applies a single fixed adjustment and requires a cooldown before the next action, so it cannot respond continuously to real-time metrics. It is tempting because it is a genuine auto-scaling policy type, but dynamic adjustment requires step or target tracking policies instead.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This CV0-004 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 CV0-004 exam.