- A
Set the application's log level to INFO — this is the only way to reduce log volume
Why wrong: Changing the application log level requires a code change and redeployment — log exclusion filters achieve the same result without touching the application.
- B
Create a Cloud Logging exclusion filter to discard DEBUG-level log entries from the service
Logging exclusion filters (in Log Router) match and discard specified log entries before storage. A filter for `severity=DEBUG` on the resource type drops debug logs without application changes.
- C
Move the development service to a separate GCP project with a lower logging tier
Why wrong: GCP Logging doesn't have 'logging tiers' by project — usage is billed on ingested volume. Exclusion filters are the correct cost-reduction mechanism.
- D
Delete old DEBUG log entries manually — Cloud Logging charges for stored volume
Why wrong: Cloud Logging charges for log ingestion (writing), not just storage. Deleting logs after ingestion doesn't reduce the primary cost driver — exclusion prevents ingestion.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a Cloud Logging exclusion filter that discards DEBUG-level log entries from the development service. This is correct because exclusion filters operate before logs are ingested and stored, allowing you to drop verbose logs based on criteria like severity level, log name, or resource labels without modifying the application code. By applying a filter that matches DEBUG severity from the specific service, you directly reduce storage costs since excluded logs are neither indexed nor retained. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cost optimization through log management, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly suggest changing the application’s logging level or adjusting retention policies—both of which require code changes or still incur storage costs. A common memory tip is to think of exclusion filters as a “bouncer at the door” that kicks out unwanted DEBUG logs before they enter the logging system, unlike retention filters which only clean up after they’re stored.
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. 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 team discovers their Cloud Logging costs are unexpectedly high. The majority of costs come from verbose DEBUG-level logs from a development service in production. They want to stop storing DEBUG logs without modifying the application. What is the 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
Create a Cloud Logging exclusion filter to discard DEBUG-level log entries from the service
Option B is correct because Cloud Logging exclusion filters allow you to discard log entries based on criteria such as severity level, log name, or resource labels before they are ingested and stored. By creating an exclusion filter that matches DEBUG-level log entries from the specific development service, you can stop storing those logs without modifying the application code. This approach directly reduces storage costs because excluded logs are not indexed or retained.
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 the application's log level to INFO — this is the only way to reduce log volume
Why it's wrong here
Changing the application log level requires a code change and redeployment — log exclusion filters achieve the same result without touching the application.
- ✓
Create a Cloud Logging exclusion filter to discard DEBUG-level log entries from the service
Why this is correct
Logging exclusion filters (in Log Router) match and discard specified log entries before storage. A filter for `severity=DEBUG` on the resource type drops debug logs without application changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Move the development service to a separate GCP project with a lower logging tier
Why it's wrong here
GCP Logging doesn't have 'logging tiers' by project — usage is billed on ingested volume. Exclusion filters are the correct cost-reduction mechanism.
- ✗
Delete old DEBUG log entries manually — Cloud Logging charges for stored volume
Why it's wrong here
Cloud Logging charges for log ingestion (writing), not just storage. Deleting logs after ingestion doesn't reduce the primary cost driver — exclusion prevents ingestion.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think modifying the application's log level is the only way to reduce log volume, but Cloud Logging exclusion filters provide a non-invasive, infrastructure-level solution that avoids code changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud Logging exclusion filters are evaluated at ingestion time, meaning logs that match the filter are dropped before they are written to Cloud Logging's backend storage. This is more efficient than post-ingestion deletion because it avoids both storage and indexing costs. Exclusion filters can be applied at the project, folder, or organization level, and they support advanced log queries using the Logging Query Language, such as `severity=DEBUG AND resource.type="k8s_container" AND resource.labels.container_name="dev-service"`.
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: Create a Cloud Logging exclusion filter to discard DEBUG-level log entries from the service — Option B is correct because Cloud Logging exclusion filters allow you to discard log entries based on criteria such as severity level, log name, or resource labels before they are ingested and stored. By creating an exclusion filter that matches DEBUG-level log entries from the specific development service, you can stop storing those logs without modifying the application code. This approach directly reduces storage costs because excluded logs are not indexed or retained.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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