The answer is to add read replicas and configure the application to use them for read queries. This is correct because read replicas offload read traffic from the primary Cloud SQL instance, distributing the load across multiple read-only copies and improving read performance without any application code changes. The replicas use asynchronous replication, providing near-real-time data consistency, which is ideal for read-heavy workloads. On the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Cloud SQL scaling patterns and the distinction between vertical scaling (increasing machine size) and horizontal scaling (adding replicas). A common trap is assuming you must rewrite queries or use caching, but the key insight is that read replicas require only endpoint configuration, not code changes. Memory tip: “Replicas for reads, primary for writes—no code, just endpoints.”
Google PCA Ensure solution and operations reliability Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of ensure solution and operations reliability. 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 company uses Cloud SQL for MySQL to host its production database. The database experiences high read traffic. The team wants to improve read performance without modifying the application. What should they do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add read replicas and configure the application to use them for read queries.
Option C is correct because adding read replicas offloads read queries from the primary Cloud SQL instance, distributing the read load across multiple replicas. This improves read performance without any application code changes, as the application can be configured to direct read queries to the replica endpoints. Cloud SQL for MySQL replicas use asynchronous replication, ensuring near-real-time data consistency for read-heavy workloads.
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.
✗
Increase the number of CPUs on the primary Cloud SQL instance.
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading the primary instance helps but is less cost-effective than read replicas.
✗
Use Cloud SQL Proxy with connection pooling.
Why it's wrong here
Connection pooling helps with connection management, not read throughput.
✓
Add read replicas and configure the application to use them for read queries.
Why this is correct
Read replicas distribute read load, improving performance without app changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable automatic storage increase to allow more data.
Why it's wrong here
Storage increase does not improve read performance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse scaling the primary instance (vertical scaling) with offloading reads via replicas (horizontal scaling), or they mistakenly believe Cloud SQL Proxy provides performance benefits when it is only a connectivity and security layer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cloud SQL read replicas use MySQL's native asynchronous replication (based on binary log position or GTID) to maintain consistency. The replica is a read-only instance that can serve SELECT queries, and you can add up to 10 replicas per primary. In a real-world scenario, if the application cannot be modified, you can use a DNS-based round-robin or a proxy like ProxySQL to transparently route read queries to replicas without code changes.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this PCA question in full detail.
Ensure solution and operations reliability — This question tests Ensure solution and operations reliability — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add read replicas and configure the application to use them for read queries. — Option C is correct because adding read replicas offloads read queries from the primary Cloud SQL instance, distributing the read load across multiple replicas. This improves read performance without any application code changes, as the application can be configured to direct read queries to the replica endpoints. Cloud SQL for MySQL replicas use asynchronous replication, ensuring near-real-time data consistency for read-heavy workloads.
What should I do if I get this PCA 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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Question Discussion
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