Question 103 of 512

Software Development Concepts →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that an instance will be added. This is correct because the auto-scaling group’s configuration includes a scale-out policy triggered when the average CPU utilization exceeds 80% for a sustained period. With CPU usage at 85% and only three instances running, the condition is clearly met, prompting the group to launch an additional instance to distribute the compute load and reduce the CPU threshold. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this concept tests your understanding of auto-scaling group CPU threshold policies as part of cloud elasticity and resource management. A common trap is assuming scaling happens instantly at any spike, but the policy requires sustained usage above the threshold—here, the 85% reading implies that condition is satisfied. Remember the mnemonic “High CPU, add a new you” to recall that exceeding the CPU threshold triggers a scale-out event.

FC0-U61 Software Development Concepts Practice Question

This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of software development concepts. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

```json
{
  "name": "WebServer",
  "instances": 3,
  "maxInstances": 5,
  "autoScaling": {
    "enabled": true,
    "cpuThreshold": 80,
    "scaleUpBy": 1
  }
}
```

Refer to the exhibit. A cloud engineer is reviewing a JSON configuration for an auto-scaling group. Currently, there are 3 instances and the CPU usage is 85%. What will happen next?

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

```json
{
  "name": "WebServer",
  "instances": 3,
  "maxInstances": 5,
  "autoScaling": {
    "enabled": true,
    "cpuThreshold": 80,
    "scaleUpBy": 1
  }
}
```

A
No action will be taken.
Why wrong: CPU exceeds the threshold, so action is taken.
B
An instance will be removed.
Why wrong: No scale-down condition is triggered.
C
The configuration will be flagged as invalid.
Why wrong: The JSON is valid and auto-scaling is enabled.
D
An instance will be added.
CPU > 80% triggers scale-up by 1 instance.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

An instance will be added.

Option D is correct because the auto-scaling group's configuration specifies a scale-out policy triggered when the average CPU utilization exceeds 80% for a sustained period. With CPU usage at 85% and only 3 instances running, the condition is met, so the auto-scaling group will launch an additional instance to distribute the load and reduce CPU usage.

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.

✗
No action will be taken.
Why it's wrong here
CPU exceeds the threshold, so action is taken.
✗
An instance will be removed.
Why it's wrong here
No scale-down condition is triggered.
✗
The configuration will be flagged as invalid.
Why it's wrong here
The JSON is valid and auto-scaling is enabled.
✓
An instance will be added.
Why this is correct
CPU > 80% triggers scale-up by 1 instance.
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 may think no action is taken because they overlook the threshold value or assume the current CPU usage must be sustained for a longer period, but the question implies the condition is met based on the given 85% value.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Auto-scaling groups in cloud environments (e.g., AWS Auto Scaling) use CloudWatch alarms to monitor metrics like CPU utilization. When the alarm state changes to ALARM (e.g., CPU > 80% for 2 consecutive periods), it triggers a scaling policy that executes a predefined action, such as adding instances via a launch template. The cooldown period prevents rapid successive scaling actions, ensuring stability during load spikes.

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 practitioner preparing for the FC0-U61 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

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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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this FC0-U61 question test?

Software Development Concepts — This question tests Software Development Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: An instance will be added. — Option D is correct because the auto-scaling group's configuration specifies a scale-out policy triggered when the average CPU utilization exceeds 80% for a sustained period. With CPU usage at 85% and only 3 instances running, the condition is met, so the auto-scaling group will launch an additional instance to distribute the load and reduce CPU usage.

What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 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: Jun 11, 2026

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This FC0-U61 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 FC0-U61 exam.