The answer is to add a read replica and redirect read queries to it. This directly addresses the CPU bottleneck by offloading read-heavy workloads from the primary instance, which reduces query latency during peak hours without requiring a larger, more expensive machine. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Cloud SQL performance optimization within the context of cost management—a common trap is confusing vertical scaling (like switching to a highcpu type) with horizontal read scaling, or assuming that Cloud SQL Proxy or increased storage solves CPU contention. Remember that read replicas are designed specifically to separate read traffic from write traffic, and since the application already uses connection pooling, redirecting reads is seamless. Memory tip: “Reads get replicas, writes stay primary—CPU relief without the cost misery.”
PCSE Practice Question: Managing operations in a cloud solution environment
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of managing operations in a cloud solution environment. 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 SQL for MySQL in production. They notice that during peak hours, query latency increases significantly. The database is running on a db-n1-standard-2 instance with 100GB SSD. The CPU utilization spikes to 95% during peaks. The application uses connection pooling. Which action should the company take to improve performance while minimizing cost?
Why wrong: Increasing storage increases IOPS, but the bottleneck is CPU, not disk I/O. This would not address the high CPU utilization.
B
Add a read replica and redirect read queries to it.
Read replicas handle SELECT queries, reducing the primary instance's load and lowering latency for read-heavy workloads.
C
Enable Cloud SQL Proxy to cache connections.
Why wrong: Cloud SQL Proxy is for secure TCP connections, not caching. It does not reduce CPU load.
D
Increase the number of CPUs by switching to a db-n1-highcpu-2 instance.
Why wrong: The db-n1-highcpu-2 has the same number of CPUs (2) as db-n1-standard-2 but with less memory per core, which could degrade performance if the workload is memory-intensive.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a read replica and redirect read queries to it.
Adding a read replica offloads read queries from the primary instance, reducing CPU load and latency. Option A is incorrect because switching to a highcpu type does not increase CPU count; it rebalances memory. Option B is incorrect because Cloud SQL Proxy provides secure connections, not performance improvement. Option D is incorrect because increasing storage primarily increases IOPS and disk throughput, but CPU is the bottleneck.
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 storage to 200GB to improve IOPS.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing storage increases IOPS, but the bottleneck is CPU, not disk I/O. This would not address the high CPU utilization.
✓
Add a read replica and redirect read queries to it.
Why this is correct
Read replicas handle SELECT queries, reducing the primary instance's load and lowering latency for read-heavy workloads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Cloud SQL Proxy to cache connections.
Why it's wrong here
Cloud SQL Proxy is for secure TCP connections, not caching. It does not reduce CPU load.
✗
Increase the number of CPUs by switching to a db-n1-highcpu-2 instance.
Why it's wrong here
The db-n1-highcpu-2 has the same number of CPUs (2) as db-n1-standard-2 but with less memory per core, which could degrade performance if the workload is memory-intensive.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCSE 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.
Managing operations in a cloud solution environment — This question tests Managing operations in a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a read replica and redirect read queries to it. — Adding a read replica offloads read queries from the primary instance, reducing CPU load and latency. Option A is incorrect because switching to a highcpu type does not increase CPU count; it rebalances memory. Option B is incorrect because Cloud SQL Proxy provides secure connections, not performance improvement. Option D is incorrect because increasing storage primarily increases IOPS and disk throughput, but CPU is the bottleneck.
What should I do if I get this PCSE question wrong?
Identify which PCSE 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.
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Question Discussion
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