- A
CUDs and SUDs can be combined on the same VMs — applying both gives the maximum possible discount
Why wrong: This is incorrect. CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive. VMs covered by CUDs don't accrue SUD — Google applies whichever discount program applies to the usage, not both.
- B
CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive: VMs already covered by committed use discounts don't accrue sustained use discounts — you receive only the CUD, not both
This is correct. CUDs are pre-purchased commitments that replace (not supplement) the SUD credit system. When a CUD commitment covers compute usage, that usage is billed at the CUD rate, not the on-demand rate that would otherwise accumulate SUD credits. Stacking is not possible.
- C
SUDs cannot be applied to production workloads — they are only available for development environments
Why wrong: SUDs apply automatically to all on-demand Compute Engine VMs that run for more than 25% of a month, regardless of environment. There's no development-only restriction.
- D
Applying both CUDs and SUDs creates a billing conflict that could result in Google charging the company more than on-demand pricing
Why wrong: There is no billing conflict — Google simply applies the applicable discount (CUD for committed resources, SUD for remaining on-demand usage). It cannot result in higher-than-on-demand pricing.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is that committed use discounts (CUDs) and sustained use discounts (SUDs) are mutually exclusive on the same VM, so a VM already covered by a CUD does not accrue SUDs. This mutual exclusivity exists because CUDs provide a fixed discount in exchange for a one- or three-year commitment, while SUDs automatically apply based on monthly usage without any upfront commitment; applying both would create double-discounting, which Google Cloud prevents to maintain billing consistency. On the Google Cloud Digital Leader exam, this concept tests your understanding of how discount types interact, often appearing as a trap where candidates assume discounts stack. A common memory tip is to think of CUDs as a reserved seat and SUDs as a standby ticket—you can only use one per VM, and the reserved seat always takes priority.
Cloud Digital Leader Scaling with Google Cloud operations Practice Question
This GCDL practice question tests your understanding of scaling with google cloud operations. 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 company uses committed use discounts (CUDs) for its production workload baseline. An engineer proposes also using sustained use discounts (SUDs) for the same VMs. Why is this incorrect?
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
CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive: VMs already covered by committed use discounts don't accrue sustained use discounts — you receive only the CUD, not both
Option B is correct because committed use discounts (CUDs) and sustained use discounts (SUDs) are mutually exclusive on the same VM. When a VM is covered by a CUD, it does not accrue SUDs; only the CUD discount is applied. This prevents double-discounting and ensures billing consistency.
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.
- ✗
CUDs and SUDs can be combined on the same VMs — applying both gives the maximum possible discount
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect. CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive. VMs covered by CUDs don't accrue SUD — Google applies whichever discount program applies to the usage, not both.
- ✓
CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive: VMs already covered by committed use discounts don't accrue sustained use discounts — you receive only the CUD, not both
Why this is correct
This is correct. CUDs are pre-purchased commitments that replace (not supplement) the SUD credit system. When a CUD commitment covers compute usage, that usage is billed at the CUD rate, not the on-demand rate that would otherwise accumulate SUD credits. Stacking is not possible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SUDs cannot be applied to production workloads — they are only available for development environments
Why it's wrong here
SUDs apply automatically to all on-demand Compute Engine VMs that run for more than 25% of a month, regardless of environment. There's no development-only restriction.
- ✗
Applying both CUDs and SUDs creates a billing conflict that could result in Google charging the company more than on-demand pricing
Why it's wrong here
There is no billing conflict — Google simply applies the applicable discount (CUD for committed resources, SUD for remaining on-demand usage). It cannot result in higher-than-on-demand pricing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume discounts are additive or combinable, similar to how some cloud providers allow stacking, but Google Cloud explicitly makes CUDs and SUDs mutually exclusive to prevent double-discounting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Google Cloud's billing system tracks VM usage per hour and applies SUDs automatically based on the cumulative usage across the month. When a CUD is purchased, it reserves a specific amount of vCPU and memory resources, and any VM usage that falls within the CUD commitment is billed at the CUD rate, with no SUD accrual for that usage. This ensures that customers cannot stack discounts, and the system prioritizes the CUD because it represents a contractual commitment.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Scaling with Google Cloud operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Scaling with Google Cloud operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All GCDL questions
507 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Cloud Digital Leader study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
GCDL practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related GCDL practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Why cloud technology is transforming business practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Why cloud technology is transforming business.
Fundamental cloud concepts practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Fundamental cloud concepts.
Google Cloud products, services, and solutions practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Google Cloud products, services, and solutions.
Scaling with Google Cloud operations practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Scaling with Google Cloud operations.
Trust and security with Google Cloud practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to Trust and security with Google Cloud.
GCDL fundamentals practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL fundamentals.
GCDL scenario practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL scenario.
GCDL troubleshooting practice questions
Practise GCDL questions linked to GCDL troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free GCDL practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this GCDL question test?
Scaling with Google Cloud operations — This question tests Scaling with Google Cloud operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CUDs and SUDs are mutually exclusive: VMs already covered by committed use discounts don't accrue sustained use discounts — you receive only the CUD, not both — Option B is correct because committed use discounts (CUDs) and sustained use discounts (SUDs) are mutually exclusive on the same VM. When a VM is covered by a CUD, it does not accrue SUDs; only the CUD discount is applied. This prevents double-discounting and ensures billing consistency.
What should I do if I get this GCDL 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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This GCDL 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 GCDL exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.