Enabling Apache Spark in Amazon Athena

DEA-C01 By islever Editorial Last updated

Automate data processing by using AWS services.

Short answer

B Create an Amazon Athena workgroup that uses the Spark engine.

Question

A company uses Amazon Athena to run SQL queries for extract, transform, and load (ETL) tasks by using Create Table As Select (CTAS). The company must use Apache Spark instead of SQL to generate analytics. Which solution will give the company the ability to use Spark to access Athena?
  1. Athena query settings
  2. Athena workgroup Correct Answer
  3. Athena data source
  4. Athena query editor

Key Takeaways

The question tests the specific architectural component required to switch Athena's execution engine from SQL to Spark; the trap is confusing the data source connector with the execution environment (workgroup).

To use Apache Spark instead of SQL for ETL tasks in Amazon Athena, you must create an Athena workgroup configured with the Spark engine. This configuration enables notebook-based analytics within the Athena environment.

Common mistake: Candidates often select 'Athena data source' because it conceptually bridges data access, but this is incorrect for enabling the Spark engine itself within Athena's managed service.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

Amazon Athena allows users to run queries using either Presto SQL or Apache Spark. To utilize Apache Spark, you must explicitly configure an Athena workgroup to use the Spark engine. According to AWS documentation, "To use Apache Spark in Amazon Athena, you create an Amazon Athena workgroup that uses a Spark engine." Once created, this workgroup provides the necessary context and resources to open notebooks and execute Spark code.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Athena query settings (A) manage individual query parameters like output location but do not change the underlying engine. An Athena data source (C) typically refers to connectors or metadata catalogs that allow external tools (like Spark running on EMR) to read Athena tables, but it does not enable Spark inside Athena. The Athena query editor (D) is an interface for writing SQL queries, not a configuration for changing the processing engine.

Community Comment Notes

The community consensus strongly favors option B, supported by direct references to the official AWS Getting Started guide. Several commenters noted that while data sources facilitate interaction between Spark and Athena data, the prerequisite step to actually use Spark within Athena is creating a Spark-enabled workgroup. As one commenter stated, "You need an Athena workgroup as a prerequisite to use Apache Spark."

Official Reference

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark-getting-started.html

This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Exam Strategy

When a question asks how to 'use' a specific engine or feature within a managed AWS service, look for the configuration object (like a Workgroup, Cluster, or Instance Group) that activates that feature. Do not confuse data connectivity options with execution environment configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't 'Athena data source' the correct answer?

An Athena data source allows external Spark applications (e.g., on EMR) to read Athena tables. It does not enable the Spark engine inside Athena itself.

Can I use Spark without a workgroup?

No. You must first create a workgroup specifically configured with the Spark engine before you can open notebooks or run Spark code in Athena.

More DEA-C01 FAQ →

Community Votes

B
72%
C
28%

72% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 10 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 10

  1. GiorgioGss 👍 9 Answered B
    https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark-getting-started.html "To use Apache Spark in Amazon Athena, you create an Amazon Athena workgroup that uses a Spark engine."
  2. pypelyncar 👍 5 Answered C
    The Athena data source acts as a bridge between Athena and other analytics engines, such as Apache Spark. By using the Athena data source connector, you can access data stored in various formats (e.g., CSV, JSON, Parquet) and locations (e.g., Amazon S3, Apache Hive Metastore) through Spark applications
  3. lalitjhawar 👍 4
    C. Athena data source The Athena data source is a specific connector or library that allows Apache Spark to interact with data stored in Amazon Athena. This connector enables Spark to read data from Athena tables directly into Spark DataFrames or RDDs (Resilient Distributed Datasets), allowing you to perform analytics and transformations using Spark's capabilities.
  4. damaldon 👍 3
    B. is the correct answer. To use Apache Spark in Amazon Athena, you create an Amazon Athena workgroup that uses a Spark engine. https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark-getting-started.html
  5. blackgamer 👍 3 Answered B
    https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark-getting-started.html
Show 5 more comments
  1. andrologin 👍 2 Answered B
    https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark-getting-started.html To get started with Apache Spark on Amazon Athena, you must first create a Spark enabled workgroup. After you switch to the workgroup, you can create a notebook or open an existing notebook. When you open a notebook in Athena, a new session is started for it automatically and you can work with it directly in the Athena notebook editor.
  2. lsj900605 👍 2 Answered B
    It is B, not C. The workgroup is for organizing, controlling, and monitoring queries. The Data source is the mechanism that enables Spark to query data via Athena. It allows Spark to interact with Athena. The question focuses on enabling Apache Spark within Athena to generate analytics instead of using SQL. Thus, you must create a Spark-enabled workgroup
  3. rralucard_ 👍 2 Answered C
    https://docs.aws.amazon.com/athena/latest/ug/notebooks-spark.html
  4. theloseralreadytaken 👍 2 Answered B
    Athena datasource doesn't specifially enable Spark access
  5. kj07 👍 1
    B is the correct answer. https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/big-data/explore-your-data-lake-using-amazon-athena-for-apache-spark/ You need an Athena workgroup as a prerequisite to use Apache Spark.

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