Google PCA Practice Question: Analysing and Optimising Technical and Business Processes
A company is migrating an on-premises PostgreSQL database (5 TB) to Cloud SQL. They need minimal downtime and automated schema conversion if needed. Which GCP service should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse Datastream (CDC only) with Database Migration Service (full migration with schema conversion), so candidates must remember that DMS is the end-to-end migration service while Datastream is for replication.
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
✓
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Database Migration Service (DMS) is the correct choice because it is a fully managed GCP service designed to migrate databases to Cloud SQL with minimal downtime, supporting continuous replication and automated schema conversion via the Database Migration Service conversion workspace. It handles homogeneous migrations like PostgreSQL to Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and can perform schema conversion when needed. Datastream is a change data capture service, not a full migration tool, and the other options are for different migration scenarios.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Database Migration Service (DMS)
Why this is correct
Database Migration Service performs continuous replication from the on-premises PostgreSQL source to Cloud SQL, keeping downtime to a minimum during cutover. Its built-in schema conversion handles incompatible objects automatically, satisfying the automated conversion requirement for the 5 TB migration.
- ✗
Datastream
Why it's wrong here
Datastream provides change data capture for replicating ongoing changes into Cloud SQL, but it does not perform schema conversion or the bulk initial load of a 5 TB database. It is the right tool for continuous replication during cutover, not for the migration itself, so it fails the schema-conversion requirement.
- ✗
Migrate for Compute Engine (formerly Velostrata)
Why it's wrong here
Migrate for Compute Engine replicates VM workloads to Compute Engine, not database schemas into Cloud SQL, so it cannot perform the required schema conversion or minimal-downtime PostgreSQL migration. It is tempting because it excels at lift-and-shift VM migrations where source servers must run unchanged on Google Compute Engine.
- ✗
Transfer Appliance
Why it's wrong here
Transfer Appliance physically ships data to Cloud Storage, offering no direct Cloud SQL import, replication, or schema conversion, so downtime and conversion needs go unmet. It is tempting for bulk offline transfers of very large datasets where network bandwidth is the limiting factor and no live cutover is required.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Migration and Transfer Services
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
Key term
Cloud SQL
Cloud SQL is a fully managed relational database service that lets you set up, maintain, and scale SQL databases (like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server) in the cloud without managing the underlying infrastructure.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Google Cloud exam blueprint
This PCA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PCA exam.