- A
Load data from Cloud Storage into BigQuery.
Data is loaded from GCS into BigQuery tables.
- B
Transfer data from S3 to Google Cloud Storage using Storage Transfer Service.
Storage Transfer Service moves data from S3 to GCS efficiently.
- C
Use BigQuery Data Transfer Service for Redshift.
Why wrong: BigQuery Data Transfer Service does not support Redshift as a source.
- D
Convert Redshift SQL dialect to BigQuery SQL.
SQL dialect differences must be handled, but this is typically done during schema migration. However, the question asks for THREE steps; typical steps are A, B, C. D is also a step but not always considered a separate data movement step. I'll mark D as incorrect to keep three correct.
- E
Unload data from Redshift to Amazon S3.
Data must be exported from Redshift to S3 as intermediate staging.
PCD Migrate Data Solutions Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of migrate data solutions. 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 data engineer is migrating a Redshift data warehouse to BigQuery. Which THREE steps are typically required?
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
Load data from Cloud Storage into BigQuery.
Common Redshift to BigQuery migration steps: unload data to Amazon S3, transfer to Google Cloud (Storage Transfer Service), then load into BigQuery. SQL dialect differences must be addressed.
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.
- ✓
Load data from Cloud Storage into BigQuery.
Why this is correct
Data is loaded from GCS into BigQuery tables.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Transfer data from S3 to Google Cloud Storage using Storage Transfer Service.
Why this is correct
Storage Transfer Service moves data from S3 to GCS efficiently.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use BigQuery Data Transfer Service for Redshift.
Why it's wrong here
BigQuery Data Transfer Service does not support Redshift as a source.
- ✓
Convert Redshift SQL dialect to BigQuery SQL.
Why this is correct
SQL dialect differences must be handled, but this is typically done during schema migration. However, the question asks for THREE steps; typical steps are A, B, C. D is also a step but not always considered a separate data movement step. I'll mark D as incorrect to keep three correct.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Unload data from Redshift to Amazon S3.
Why this is correct
Data must be exported from Redshift to S3 as intermediate staging.
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 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.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCD 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.
- →
Migrate Data Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCD question test?
Migrate Data Solutions — This question tests Migrate Data Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Load data from Cloud Storage into BigQuery. — Common Redshift to BigQuery migration steps: unload data to Amazon S3, transfer to Google Cloud (Storage Transfer Service), then load into BigQuery. SQL dialect differences must be addressed.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which PCD 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 PCD 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 PCD exam.
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