Design cost-optimized architectures
40 practice questions with explanations — 15 free to try
3 of these 40 questions are in the free 15-question taster · the full topic is part of Premium
PassNova has 40 AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) practice questions on Design cost-optimized architectures, each with a clear explanation. A 15-question taster is free with no sign-up; the full bank is part of PassNova Premium. Updated for 2026.
Design cost-optimized architectures: example questions & answers
3 worked examples with answers and explanations below. Try 15 AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) questions free in the browser; the full 40-question Design cost-optimized architectures bank is part of PassNova Premium.
A company needs to store infrequently accessed data that must be retrieved within milliseconds when needed. Which S3 storage class is the MOST cost-effective for this requirement?
- AS3 Standard
- BS3 Standard-Infrequent Access✓
- CS3 Glacier Deep Archive
- DS3 Glacier Flexible Retrieval
Answer: S3 Standard-IA offers millisecond access at a lower storage cost than S3 Standard, ideal for infrequently accessed data that still needs rapid retrieval. S3 Glacier Flexible Retrieval and S3 Glacier Deep Archive cost less to store but need a restore that takes minutes to hours, so they miss the millisecond requirement.
A workload has predictable steady-state usage running 24/7 for the next three years. Which EC2 pricing model offers the LOWEST cost?
- AOn-Demand Instances
- BSpot Instances
- CReserved Instances or Savings Plans✓
- DDedicated Hosts billed hourly
Answer: For steady, long-term workloads, Reserved Instances or Savings Plans provide significant discounts over On-Demand in exchange for a one or three year commitment.
A fault-tolerant batch processing job can be interrupted and resumed without issue. Which EC2 purchasing option minimizes cost?
- AReserved Instances
- BOn-Demand Instances
- CSpot Instances✓
- DDedicated Hosts
Answer: Spot Instances offer the deepest discount for interruptible, fault-tolerant workloads because they use spare EC2 capacity that can be reclaimed with short notice.