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CV0-004 Practice Question: A cloud architect is designing a multi-tier…
A cloud architect is designing a multi-tier application on a public cloud. To minimize costs while maintaining performance for variable workloads, the architect decides to use a mix of reserved and spot instances. Which design principle is being applied?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between cost optimization and scalability, where candidates mistakenly think that using spot instances alone is a scalability strategy, but the key is that mixing reserved and spot instances is a financial optimization, not an architectural scaling mechanism.
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
✓
Cost optimization
Using a mix of reserved and spot instances directly reduces compute costs by committing to predictable workloads with reserved instances (which offer significant discounts over on-demand) and using spot instances for fault-tolerant, flexible workloads at steep discounts (often 60-90% off on-demand). This hybrid approach is a core cost optimization strategy in public cloud design, as it balances upfront commitment with opportunistic savings without sacrificing performance for variable workloads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Scalability
Why it's wrong here
Scalability focuses on handling growth, not specific cost-saving instance types.
- ✗
High availability
Why it's wrong here
HA is about uptime, not using different instance purchase options.
- ✓
Cost optimization
Why this is correct
Mixing reserved and spot instances reduces costs while meeting performance needs, a core cost optimization strategy.
- ✗
Security
Why it's wrong here
Security is not directly related to instance purchasing options.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.