- A
Enable binary logging (binlog)
Binary logging captures changes and enables point-in-time recovery.
- B
Configure a failover replica in another zone
Why wrong: Failover replica provides high availability, not point-in-time recovery.
- C
Create a cross-region read replica
Why wrong: Cross-region replicas provide geographic redundancy but not point-in-time recovery.
- D
Enable automated backups
Automated backups are required for PITR to provide the log chain.
- E
Export the database daily to Cloud Storage
Why wrong: Daily exports are not point-in-time and would lose data between exports.
Google PCA Practice Question: Managing Implementation and Ensuring Solution and Operations Reliability
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of managing implementation and ensuring solution and operations reliability. 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 wants to implement a disaster recovery (DR) strategy for their Cloud SQL for MySQL databases. They need to be able to recover to a specific point in time (within seconds) in case of accidental data deletion. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose TWO.)
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
Enable binary logging (binlog)
Point-in-time recovery (PITR) in Cloud SQL uses transaction logs to restore to any point in time within the backup retention period. Automated backups are required to enable PITR. Cross-region replication is for regional DR but not point-in-time.
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.
- ✓
Enable binary logging (binlog)
Why this is correct
Binary logging captures changes and enables point-in-time recovery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure a failover replica in another zone
Why it's wrong here
Failover replica provides high availability, not point-in-time recovery.
- ✗
Create a cross-region read replica
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replicas provide geographic redundancy but not point-in-time recovery.
- ✓
Enable automated backups
Why this is correct
Automated backups are required for PITR to provide the log chain.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Export the database daily to Cloud Storage
Why it's wrong here
Daily exports are not point-in-time and would lose data between exports.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCA 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.
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Managing Implementation and Ensuring Solution and Operations Reliability — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Managing Implementation and Ensuring Solution and Operations Reliability — This question tests Managing Implementation and Ensuring 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: Enable binary logging (binlog) — Point-in-time recovery (PITR) in Cloud SQL uses transaction logs to restore to any point in time within the backup retention period. Automated backups are required to enable PITR. Cross-region replication is for regional DR but not point-in-time.
What should I do if I get this PCA question wrong?
Identify which PCA 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.
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: Jul 4, 2026
This PCA 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 PCA exam.
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