- A
Set a dataset-level default table expiration of 180 days in the dataset properties
Why wrong: Dataset-level default expiration applies to new tables created in the dataset — it doesn't apply retroactively to existing tables. The question asks about table-level configuration.
- B
Use a Cloud Scheduler job to run a DELETE statement on rows older than 180 days nightly
Why wrong: Row-level DELETE queries incur compute costs and don't reduce storage efficiently — partition expiration or table expiration is the managed alternative.
- C
Configure partition expiration on a date-partitioned table to expire partitions after 180 days
For date-partitioned tables, partition expiration automatically deletes partitions older than the specified number of days — the most efficient and zero-maintenance approach for time-series data.
- D
Set a table-level TTL using BigQuery's TTL API with a 180-day value
Why wrong: BigQuery doesn't have a 'TTL API' as such — table expiration is set via `expiration_time` on table metadata or partition expiration on partitioned tables.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to configure partition expiration on a date-partitioned table to expire partitions after 180 days. This works because BigQuery’s partition expiration feature automatically deletes entire partitions once they exceed a specified age, removing old data at the table level without affecting other tables in the same dataset. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cost control through table-level lifecycle management, often appearing as a distractor against dataset-level default expiration or manual deletion scripts. A common trap is confusing partition expiration with dataset expiration—remember that dataset expiration applies a default to all tables, while partition expiration targets only the partitioned table’s historical slices. For a memory tip, think “partition expiration prunes partitions” to recall that it drops whole date-based chunks, not individual rows.
Google ACE Practice Question: Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution. 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.
A BigQuery table in a data pipeline receives daily data loads. To control storage costs, the team wants table data older than 180 days to be automatically deleted at the table level, not the dataset level. How should this be configured?
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
Configure partition expiration on a date-partitioned table to expire partitions after 180 days
Option C is correct because BigQuery's partition expiration feature allows you to automatically delete entire partitions from a date-partitioned table after a specified number of days. By setting the partition expiration to 180 days, all data in partitions older than 180 days is dropped at the table level, meeting the requirement without affecting other tables in the dataset.
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 a dataset-level default table expiration of 180 days in the dataset properties
Why it's wrong here
Dataset-level default expiration applies to new tables created in the dataset — it doesn't apply retroactively to existing tables. The question asks about table-level configuration.
- ✗
Use a Cloud Scheduler job to run a DELETE statement on rows older than 180 days nightly
Why it's wrong here
Row-level DELETE queries incur compute costs and don't reduce storage efficiently — partition expiration or table expiration is the managed alternative.
- ✓
Configure partition expiration on a date-partitioned table to expire partitions after 180 days
Why this is correct
For date-partitioned tables, partition expiration automatically deletes partitions older than the specified number of days — the most efficient and zero-maintenance approach for time-series data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Set a table-level TTL using BigQuery's TTL API with a 180-day value
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery doesn't have a 'TTL API' as such — table expiration is set via `expiration_time` on table metadata or partition expiration on partitioned tables.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the distinction between dataset-level defaults and table-level partition expiration, and the trap here is that candidates confuse dataset-level table expiration (which deletes entire tables) with the requirement to delete only old rows within a single table.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Partition expiration works by setting the `partition_expiration_days` property on a table partitioned by a DATE, TIMESTAMP, or DATETIME column. When a partition's date is older than the specified number of days, BigQuery automatically drops that partition (including all data and metadata) without any manual intervention or query costs. This is implemented as a background operation that runs periodically, ensuring storage costs are controlled without impacting ongoing queries. A subtle behavior is that partition expiration only applies to ingestion-time partitioned tables or tables partitioned on a column; it does not work on non-partitioned tables.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — This question tests Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure partition expiration on a date-partitioned table to expire partitions after 180 days — Option C is correct because BigQuery's partition expiration feature allows you to automatically delete entire partitions from a date-partitioned table after a specified number of days. By setting the partition expiration to 180 days, all data in partitions older than 180 days is dropped at the table level, meeting the requirement without affecting other tables in the dataset.
What should I do if I get this ACE 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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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: Jun 30, 2026
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