- A
Disable automated backups on the primary to free up resources.
Why wrong: Backups may impact primary performance but are not directly related to replica lag.
- B
Promote the replica to a standalone instance and recreate the replica.
Why wrong: This is a disruptive change and may not solve the lag.
- C
Increase the CPU and memory of the read replica to speed up applying changes.
Replica lag can be reduced by scaling up the replica to handle the write load.
- D
Increase the CPU and memory of the primary instance.
Why wrong: This may help if the primary is overloaded, but the lag is on the replica side.
Question 243 of 1,000
PCDOE Manage Database Solutions Practice Question
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of manage database solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL read replica is experiencing replication lag of several minutes. You need to reduce the lag. What is the most effective solution?
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
✓
Increase the CPU and memory of the read replica to speed up applying changes.
Option C is correct because replication lag in Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL read replicas is often caused by the replica being unable to keep up with the rate of write-ahead log (WAL) apply from the primary. Increasing the CPU and memory of the read replica directly improves its ability to replay WAL records faster, reducing the lag. This is the most effective solution as it addresses the bottleneck at the replica side without impacting the primary instance.
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.
- ✗
Disable automated backups on the primary to free up resources.
Why it's wrong here
Backups may impact primary performance but are not directly related to replica lag.
- ✗
Promote the replica to a standalone instance and recreate the replica.
Why it's wrong here
This is a disruptive change and may not solve the lag.
- ✓
Increase the CPU and memory of the read replica to speed up applying changes.
Why this is correct
Replica lag can be reduced by scaling up the replica to handle the write load.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the CPU and memory of the primary instance.
Why it's wrong here
This may help if the primary is overloaded, but the lag is on the replica side.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google often tests the misconception that replication lag is always a primary-side issue, leading candidates to incorrectly choose scaling the primary (Option D) instead of identifying the replica as the bottleneck.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL uses streaming replication based on the PostgreSQL WAL mechanism, where the primary sends WAL segments to the replica for continuous apply. Replication lag occurs when the replica's apply rate (e.g., due to insufficient CPU for replaying WAL or memory for caching) falls behind the primary's write rate. In real-world scenarios, a read replica handling heavy analytical queries can further strain resources, making CPU/memory scaling the most direct fix, whereas primary scaling only helps if the primary itself is overloaded generating WAL.
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.
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
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
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Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Manage Database Solutions — This question tests Manage Database Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the CPU and memory of the read replica to speed up applying changes. — Option C is correct because replication lag in Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL read replicas is often caused by the replica being unable to keep up with the rate of write-ahead log (WAL) apply from the primary. Increasing the CPU and memory of the read replica directly improves its ability to replay WAL records faster, reducing the lag. This is the most effective solution as it addresses the bottleneck at the replica side without impacting the primary instance.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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