- A
Use Memorystore (Redis) to cache database queries.
Why wrong: Memorystore (Redis) caches query results, reducing database load, but does not address connection overhead. Caching is not the solution to high connection overhead.
- B
Migrate to Cloud Spanner for better scalability.
Why wrong: Cloud Spanner offers horizontal scalability, but migrating would require significant application changes and does not specifically reduce connection overhead.
- C
Use Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled.
Using Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled (via PgBouncer) reduces connection overhead by reusing connections and providing secure access without application code changes.
- D
Increase the maximum connections setting in Cloud SQL to handle more concurrent connections.
Why wrong: Increasing the maximum connections setting allows more concurrent connections but does not reduce overhead; it can worsen performance if connections are created and destroyed frequently.
Google PCA Connection pooling Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of analysing and optimising technical and business processes. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: connection pooling. 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 e-commerce platform uses Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL to serve product catalog data. As traffic grows, the database experiences high connection overhead and latency spikes. The team wants to reduce connection overhead and improve performance without changing application code. Which solution should they implement?
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 Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled.
Cloud SQL Auth Proxy provides secure connections to Cloud SQL but does not perform connection pooling itself. To reduce connection overhead, a dedicated connection pooler (such as PgBouncer) must be used alongside the proxy to manage and reuse connections efficiently. Option C implies using the proxy with connection pooling enabled, which correctly addresses the problem. Option A (caching) reduces load but not connection overhead, Option B (migrating to Spanner) is unnecessary and changes the database paradigm, and Option D (increasing connections) would increase overhead, not reduce it.
Key principle: Connection pooling
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 Memorystore (Redis) to cache database queries.
Why it's wrong here
Memorystore (Redis) caches query results, reducing database load, but does not address connection overhead. Caching is not the solution to high connection overhead.
- ✗
Migrate to Cloud Spanner for better scalability.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Spanner offers horizontal scalability, but migrating would require significant application changes and does not specifically reduce connection overhead.
- ✓
Use Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled.
Why this is correct
Using Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled (via PgBouncer) reduces connection overhead by reusing connections and providing secure access without application code changes.
Related concept
Connection pooling
- ✗
Increase the maximum connections setting in Cloud SQL to handle more concurrent connections.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the maximum connections setting allows more concurrent connections but does not reduce overhead; it can worsen performance if connections are created and destroyed frequently.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may assume that increasing max connections solves connection overhead, but it actually increases contention. Connection pooling reuses connections, reducing overhead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Connection pooling
- Cloud SQL Auth Proxy
- PgBouncer
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
Connection pooling
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Connection pooling Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review connection pooling, then practise related PCA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Analysing and Optimising Technical and Business Processes — This question tests Analysing and Optimising Technical and Business Processes — Connection pooling.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Cloud SQL Auth Proxy with connection pooling enabled. — Cloud SQL Auth Proxy provides secure connections to Cloud SQL but does not perform connection pooling itself. To reduce connection overhead, a dedicated connection pooler (such as PgBouncer) must be used alongside the proxy to manage and reuse connections efficiently. Option C implies using the proxy with connection pooling enabled, which correctly addresses the problem. Option A (caching) reduces load but not connection overhead, Option B (migrating to Spanner) is unnecessary and changes the database paradigm, and Option D (increasing connections) would increase overhead, not reduce it.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Review connection pooling, then practise related PCA questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Connection pooling
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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