- A
Set maxReplicas to a high number to handle bursts.
Why wrong: maxReplicas controls scaling limit but doesn't avoid cold start; if minReplicas=0, cold start still happens.
- B
Set minReplicas to 1.
Correct. This ensures at least one instance is always running, avoiding cold start.
- C
Deploy the model as a custom container.
Why wrong: Custom container doesn't affect cold start avoidance directly.
- D
Enable autoscaling with a target CPU utilisation of 30%.
Why wrong: Low CPU target may cause scaling earlier but still allows scaling to zero if minReplicas=0.
- E
Use a machine type with sufficient memory for the model.
Correct. Adequate machine resources prevent OOM and improve startup time, but the primary reason to avoid cold start is minReplicas.
Question 405 of 1,000
PMLE Serving and Scaling Models Practice Question
This PMLE practice question tests your understanding of serving and scaling models. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You need to deploy a model for online predictions with low latency. You want to ensure that the endpoint can handle traffic bursts without cold start. Which TWO configurations should you set? (Choose 2)
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
✓
Set minReplicas to 1.
To avoid cold start, you must keep at least one replica always running (minReplicas ≥ 1) and ensure that the machine type has enough capacity. Setting minReplicas to 0 would cause cold start. Also, setting a higher CPU utilisation target may help but not directly avoid cold start.
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.
- ✗
Set maxReplicas to a high number to handle bursts.
Why it's wrong here
maxReplicas controls scaling limit but doesn't avoid cold start; if minReplicas=0, cold start still happens.
- ✓
Set minReplicas to 1.
Why this is correct
Correct. This ensures at least one instance is always running, avoiding cold start.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy the model as a custom container.
Why it's wrong here
Custom container doesn't affect cold start avoidance directly.
- ✗
Enable autoscaling with a target CPU utilisation of 30%.
Why it's wrong here
Low CPU target may cause scaling earlier but still allows scaling to zero if minReplicas=0.
- ✓
Use a machine type with sufficient memory for the model.
Why this is correct
Correct. Adequate machine resources prevent OOM and improve startup time, but the primary reason to avoid cold start is minReplicas.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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 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.
- →
Serving and Scaling Models — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Serving and Scaling Models practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMLE question test?
Serving and Scaling Models — This question tests Serving and Scaling Models — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set minReplicas to 1. — To avoid cold start, you must keep at least one replica always running (minReplicas ≥ 1) and ensure that the machine type has enough capacity. Setting minReplicas to 0 would cause cold start. Also, setting a higher CPU utilisation target may help but not directly avoid cold start.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PMLE 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 PMLE exam.
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