- A
Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template
Spot VMs are cheaper than preemptible and can be restarted if terminated.
- B
Use committed use discounts for the VM
Why wrong: Committed use discounts require a 1- or 3-year commitment, not suitable for a job that runs only briefly.
- C
Create an always-on VM and use sustained-use discounts
Why wrong: Sustained-use discounts apply to monthly usage; running only 20 min/hour is still cheap but not minimal cost.
- D
Use preemptible VMs and accept the risk of termination
Why wrong: Preemptible VMs can terminate at any time, causing job failure.
Question 12 of 1,000
hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Google ACE Practice Question: Needs to deploy a batch job that runs every hour…
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ace exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An organization needs to deploy a batch job that runs every hour on Compute Engine. The job requires a VM with 16 vCPUs and 64 GB of memory. The job takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The team wants to minimize costs while ensuring the job completes reliably. Which deployment strategy should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template
Option A is correct: Spot VMs (the successor to preemptible VMs) offer significant cost savings. By configuring a restart policy in the instance template, the job automatically resumes if the VM is reclaimed by Compute Engine, ensuring reliability for the 20-minute job. Option B (committed use discounts) requires a 1- or 3-year commitment, which is excessive for an hourly batch job. Option C (always-on VM with sustained-use discounts) would incur costs for idle time, as the VM runs 24/7 but is only used 20 minutes per hour. Option D (preemptible VMs) are cheaper than standard VMs but have a 24-hour max lifetime and no automatic restart, risking job failure if terminated.
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.
- ✓
Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template
Why this is correct
Spot VMs are cheaper than preemptible and can be restarted if terminated.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use committed use discounts for the VM
Why it's wrong here
Committed use discounts require a 1- or 3-year commitment, not suitable for a job that runs only briefly.
- ✗
Create an always-on VM and use sustained-use discounts
Why it's wrong here
Sustained-use discounts apply to monthly usage; running only 20 min/hour is still cheap but not minimal cost.
- ✗
Use preemptible VMs and accept the risk of termination
Why it's wrong here
Preemptible VMs can terminate at any time, causing job failure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ACE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use spot VMs with a restart policy configured in the instance template — Option A is correct: Spot VMs (the successor to preemptible VMs) offer significant cost savings. By configuring a restart policy in the instance template, the job automatically resumes if the VM is reclaimed by Compute Engine, ensuring reliability for the 20-minute job. Option B (committed use discounts) requires a 1- or 3-year commitment, which is excessive for an hourly batch job. Option C (always-on VM with sustained-use discounts) would incur costs for idle time, as the VM runs 24/7 but is only used 20 minutes per hour. Option D (preemptible VMs) are cheaper than standard VMs but have a 24-hour max lifetime and no automatic restart, risking job failure if terminated.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Identify which ACE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 23, 2026
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