- A
Configure an external read replica using MySQL binary log replication.
Why wrong: External replicas are not managed by Cloud SQL and would require manual setup; they may have higher lag due to network overhead and lack of optimization.
- B
Increase the disk size of the read replica.
Why wrong: Increasing disk size of the replica may improve I/O but does not address the root cause, which is likely the primary's capacity to process transactions.
- C
Upgrade the primary instance to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory.
A higher machine type on the primary increases its ability to commit transactions and write to the binary log, which reduces replication lag. Also consider placing the replica in the same region if possible.
- D
Decrease the backup window on the primary instance.
Why wrong: The backup window does not affect replication lag; lag is due to network latency or insufficient resources on the primary or replica.
Google PCA Manage and provision cloud infrastructure Practice Question
This PCA practice question tests your understanding of manage and provision cloud infrastructure. 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.
Your organization uses Cloud SQL for MySQL to host a production database. The database size is 500 GB. You need to create a read replica for reporting purposes. The read replica should be in a different region for disaster recovery. You have created the read replica in the us-west1 region. However, the replication lag is higher than expected, sometimes exceeding 5 minutes. What should you do to reduce replication lag?
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
Upgrade the primary instance to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory.
Option C is correct because replication lag in Cloud SQL for MySQL is often caused by the primary instance being unable to keep up with the write workload, especially when the replica is in a different region. Upgrading the primary to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory increases its capacity to process transactions and generate binary logs, reducing the backlog that causes lag. This directly addresses the root cause of high replication lag, unlike other options that target unrelated aspects.
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.
- ✗
Configure an external read replica using MySQL binary log replication.
Why it's wrong here
External replicas are not managed by Cloud SQL and would require manual setup; they may have higher lag due to network overhead and lack of optimization.
- ✗
Increase the disk size of the read replica.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing disk size of the replica may improve I/O but does not address the root cause, which is likely the primary's capacity to process transactions.
- ✓
Upgrade the primary instance to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory.
Why this is correct
A higher machine type on the primary increases its ability to commit transactions and write to the binary log, which reduces replication lag. Also consider placing the replica in the same region if possible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Decrease the backup window on the primary instance.
Why it's wrong here
The backup window does not affect replication lag; lag is due to network latency or insufficient resources on the primary or replica.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that replication lag is always a replica-side issue, leading candidates to focus on replica resources (disk size) or external configurations, when the real bottleneck is the primary's capacity to generate and send binary logs under heavy write load.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Replication lag in Cloud SQL for MySQL is measured as the time difference between the primary's binary log position and the replica's applied position, influenced by the primary's write load and network round-trip time. Upgrading the primary instance increases its vCPU and memory, allowing it to handle more concurrent transactions and flush binary logs faster, which reduces the backlog. In cross-region replication, network latency is a fixed factor, so optimizing the primary's performance is the most effective mitigation.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCA question test?
Manage and provision cloud infrastructure — This question tests Manage and provision cloud infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Upgrade the primary instance to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory. — Option C is correct because replication lag in Cloud SQL for MySQL is often caused by the primary instance being unable to keep up with the write workload, especially when the replica is in a different region. Upgrading the primary to a higher machine type with more CPU and memory increases its capacity to process transactions and generate binary logs, reducing the backlog that causes lag. This directly addresses the root cause of high replication lag, unlike other options that target unrelated aspects.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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