- A
The backend service is missing the IAP session cookie validation.
Why wrong: IAP manages session cookies at the proxy; backend does not need to validate them.
- B
The users are accessing the application via different browsers.
Why wrong: IAP sessions are typically per-browser, but this is not a common cause of multiple prompts within the same session.
- C
The backend service does not support HTTPS.
Why wrong: IAP requires HTTPS, but this would cause connection errors, not repeated sign-ins.
- D
The IAP session timeout is set too low.
IAP session timeout determines how long the authentication session lasts; a short timeout causes frequent prompts.
Google ACE Configuring access and security Practice Question
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access and security. 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.
You are configuring Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) for a web application running on Compute Engine. Users authenticate through IAP and are granted access based on their email addresses. However, some users report that they are prompted to sign in multiple times during the same session. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The IAP session timeout is set too low.
Option A is correct because IAP has a configurable session timeout; if set too low, users will need to re-authenticate frequently. Option B (HTTPS) is required for IAP but not the cause. Option C (different browsers) is not a common cause. Option D (cookie validation) is handled by IAP.
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.
- ✗
The backend service is missing the IAP session cookie validation.
Why it's wrong here
IAP manages session cookies at the proxy; backend does not need to validate them.
- ✗
The users are accessing the application via different browsers.
Why it's wrong here
IAP sessions are typically per-browser, but this is not a common cause of multiple prompts within the same session.
- ✗
The backend service does not support HTTPS.
Why it's wrong here
IAP requires HTTPS, but this would cause connection errors, not repeated sign-ins.
- ✓
The IAP session timeout is set too low.
Why this is correct
IAP session timeout determines how long the authentication session lasts; a short timeout causes frequent prompts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which ACE 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.
- →
Configuring access and security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Configuring access and security — This question tests Configuring access and security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The IAP session timeout is set too low. — Option A is correct because IAP has a configurable session timeout; if set too low, users will need to re-authenticate frequently. Option B (HTTPS) is required for IAP but not the cause. Option C (different browsers) is not a common cause. Option D (cookie validation) is handled by IAP.
What should I do if I get this ACE question wrong?
Identify which ACE 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 23, 2026
This ACE 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 ACE exam.
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