- A
Export the dataset to Cloud Storage and share the bucket
Why wrong: This creates a copy and requires additional permissions, and data becomes stale.
- B
Add the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset
Direct IAM binding on the dataset provides least-privilege access.
- C
Share the service account key of a BigQuery job user with the colleague
Why wrong: Service account keys should be kept confidential and not shared.
- D
Add the colleague's account as a Project Viewer on the entire project
Why wrong: Project Viewer grants access to all resources in the project, which is too broad.
Question 368 of 1,000
easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Sharing BigQuery Dataset with IAM: Add Data Viewer Role
This PMLE practice question tests your understanding of pmle 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.
A data scientist needs to share a BigQuery dataset with a colleague in a different team so they can run queries. What is the simplest and most secure way to grant access?
Quick Answer
The answer is to add the colleague’s account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset. This is correct because BigQuery dataset ACLs, managed through IAM, provide the simplest and most secure way to grant read-only query access at the dataset level without exposing the entire project or requiring data movement. On the Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of least-privilege access control, a core principle for production ML pipelines where data scientists often need to share specific datasets without granting broader project permissions. A common trap is choosing to share the entire project or export data to Cloud Storage, both of which introduce unnecessary complexity or security risks; the exam expects you to recognize that IAM roles like BigQuery Data Viewer are purpose-built for this exact need. Memory tip: think “dataset-level Data Viewer” for the “least privilege” win—no project keys, no stale exports, just direct, secure query access.
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
✓
Add the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset
The correct answer is B because adding the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset grants read-only access to the specific dataset, which is the simplest and most secure method. Option A is wrong because exporting to Cloud Storage adds complexity and data staleness. Option C is wrong because sharing the entire project grants excessive permissions. Option D is wrong because sharing the service account key poses a security risk.
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.
- ✗
Export the dataset to Cloud Storage and share the bucket
Why it's wrong here
This creates a copy and requires additional permissions, and data becomes stale.
- ✓
Add the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset
Why this is correct
Direct IAM binding on the dataset provides least-privilege access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Share the service account key of a BigQuery job user with the colleague
Why it's wrong here
Service account keys should be kept confidential and not shared.
- ✗
Add the colleague's account as a Project Viewer on the entire project
Why it's wrong here
Project Viewer grants access to all resources in the project, which is too broad.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PMLE 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 PMLE question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset — The correct answer is B because adding the colleague's account as a BigQuery Data Viewer on the dataset grants read-only access to the specific dataset, which is the simplest and most secure method. Option A is wrong because exporting to Cloud Storage adds complexity and data staleness. Option C is wrong because sharing the entire project grants excessive permissions. Option D is wrong because sharing the service account key poses a security risk.
What should I do if I get this PMLE question wrong?
Identify which PMLE 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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