- A
Restore a backup to a new database in the same instance using a different database ID
This tests the restore process without overwriting the production database.
- B
Export the database to Cloud Storage and import it into a new instance
Why wrong: Export/import is not a backup/restore operation and does not test the native backup restore process.
- C
Perform a failover to a read replica and then fail back
Why wrong: Spanner does not have read replicas; this option is not applicable.
- D
Create a backup of the production database and restore it to a new Spanner instance in a test project
This validates the restore process without affecting production.
- E
Directly restore a backup to the production database to test recovery time
Why wrong: This would overwrite production data and cause an outage.
PCDOE Practice Question: Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery
This PCDOE practice question tests your understanding of design for reliability, scalability, and disaster recovery. 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 is using Cloud Spanner and wants to perform disaster recovery testing. They need to validate that their backup and restore process works without impacting production. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose 2 correct answers.)
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
Restore a backup to a new database in the same instance using a different database ID
Restoring a backup to a new instance in a separate project is non-destructive and tests the restore process. Using a different database ID in the same instance also tests restore without overriding production. Option C is destructive (deletes production). Option D is not about testing. Option E is not a built-in feature for Spanner.
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.
- ✓
Restore a backup to a new database in the same instance using a different database ID
Why this is correct
This tests the restore process without overwriting the production database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Export the database to Cloud Storage and import it into a new instance
Why it's wrong here
Export/import is not a backup/restore operation and does not test the native backup restore process.
- ✗
Perform a failover to a read replica and then fail back
Why it's wrong here
Spanner does not have read replicas; this option is not applicable.
- ✓
Create a backup of the production database and restore it to a new Spanner instance in a test project
Why this is correct
This validates the restore process without affecting production.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Directly restore a backup to the production database to test recovery time
Why it's wrong here
This would overwrite production data and cause an outage.
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 PCDOE 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.
- →
Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery — study guide chapter
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Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDOE question test?
Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery — This question tests Design for Reliability, Scalability, and Disaster Recovery — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Restore a backup to a new database in the same instance using a different database ID — Restoring a backup to a new instance in a separate project is non-destructive and tests the restore process. Using a different database ID in the same instance also tests restore without overriding production. Option C is destructive (deletes production). Option D is not about testing. Option E is not a built-in feature for Spanner.
What should I do if I get this PCDOE question wrong?
Identify which PCDOE 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
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PCDOE 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 PCDOE exam.
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