Quick Answer
The answer is that the Cloud SQL API is not enabled for the project. Even when a service account has the Cloud SQL Client role, the API itself must be explicitly activated at the project level before any client—including a Compute Engine VM—can make authorized calls to Cloud SQL resources. This is a common oversight because IAM roles control permissions, but APIs control access to the service endpoint; without the API enabled, the request never reaches the authorization layer. On the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer exam, this scenario tests your understanding that IAM and API enablement are separate prerequisites, often appearing as a trap where candidates focus only on roles or network configurations. A reliable memory tip is to think of the API as the door and the IAM role as the key—without the door being unlocked (API enabled), the key is useless.
This PCSE practice question tests your understanding of configuring access within a cloud solution environment. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 user is getting a permission denied error when trying to access a Cloud SQL instance from a Compute Engine VM. The VM's service account has the Cloud SQL Client role. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The Cloud SQL API is not enabled for the project.
The API must be enabled to allow access to Cloud SQL.
The service account is not attached to the VM.
Why wrong: The service account is attached if it has the role.
The user is not using a Cloud SQL proxy.
Why wrong: Proxy is optional and not required for IAM-based access.
The Cloud SQL instance does not have a private IP.
Why wrong: Public IP works with Cloud SQL Client role.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The Cloud SQL API is not enabled for the project.
Even with correct IAM roles, the Cloud SQL API must be enabled for the project. The service account being attached is confirmed by the role assignment, private IP is not required for Client role, and using a proxy is optional but not the cause of permission denied.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The Cloud SQL API is not enabled for the project.
Why this is correct
The API must be enabled to allow access to Cloud SQL.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The service account is not attached to the VM.
Why it's wrong here
The service account is attached if it has the role.
The user is not using a Cloud SQL proxy.
Why it's wrong here
Proxy is optional and not required for IAM-based access.
The Cloud SQL instance does not have a private IP.
Why it's wrong here
Public IP works with Cloud SQL Client role.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Configuring access within a cloud solution environment — This question tests Configuring access within a cloud solution environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The Cloud SQL API is not enabled for the project. — Even with correct IAM roles, the Cloud SQL API must be enabled for the project. The service account being attached is confirmed by the role assignment, private IP is not required for Client role, and using a proxy is optional but not the cause of permission denied.
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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCSE 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 PCSE exam.
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