- A
Deploy the model on a machine with a GPU accelerator.
GPU can accelerate PyTorch inference significantly, reducing latency.
- B
Switch from online prediction to batch prediction.
Why wrong: Batch prediction is for offline processing, not real-time SLA.
- C
Increase the min_replica_count to ensure more instances are always available.
Why wrong: More replicas improve throughput, not per-request latency.
- D
Use a smaller machine type with less CPU to reduce overhead.
Why wrong: Smaller machines may increase latency due to less compute power.
PMLE Serving and scaling models Practice Question
This PMLE practice question tests your understanding of serving and scaling models. 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.
You deploy a PyTorch model to Vertex AI Online Prediction. After deployment, you observe that inference latency is approximately 300ms per request, but the desired SLA is under 100ms. The model uses a custom container with CPU only. Which action is most likely to reduce latency to the target?
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.
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
Deploy the model on a machine with a GPU accelerator.
Enabling GPU acceleration can significantly speed up inference for deep learning models. Adding more CPU instances may help with throughput but not per-request latency. Switching to batch prediction changes the use case, and using a smaller instance type might reduce latency if the model is small, but GPU is more impactful.
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.
- ✓
Deploy the model on a machine with a GPU accelerator.
Why this is correct
GPU can accelerate PyTorch inference significantly, reducing latency.
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.
- ✗
Switch from online prediction to batch prediction.
Why it's wrong here
Batch prediction is for offline processing, not real-time SLA.
- ✗
Increase the min_replica_count to ensure more instances are always available.
Why it's wrong here
More replicas improve throughput, not per-request latency.
- ✗
Use a smaller machine type with less CPU to reduce overhead.
Why it's wrong here
Smaller machines may increase latency due to less compute power.
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 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.
Identify which PMLE 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.
- →
Serving and scaling models — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Serving and scaling models practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PMLE questions
506 questions across all exam domains
- →
Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PMLE practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PMLE practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Scaling prototypes into ML models practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Scaling prototypes into ML models.
Automating and orchestrating ML pipelines practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Automating and orchestrating ML pipelines.
Collaborating within and across teams to manage data and models practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Collaborating within and across teams to manage data and models.
Architecting low-code ML solutions practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Architecting low-code ML solutions.
Collaborating to manage data and models practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Collaborating to manage data and models.
Serving and scaling models practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Serving and scaling models.
Monitoring ML solutions practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Monitoring ML solutions.
Solving business challenges with ML practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to Solving business challenges with ML.
PMLE fundamentals practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to PMLE fundamentals.
PMLE scenario practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to PMLE scenario.
PMLE troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PMLE questions linked to PMLE troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PMLE practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PMLE question test?
Serving and scaling models — This question tests Serving and scaling models — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy the model on a machine with a GPU accelerator. — Enabling GPU acceleration can significantly speed up inference for deep learning models. Adding more CPU instances may help with throughput but not per-request latency. Switching to batch prediction changes the use case, and using a smaller instance type might reduce latency if the model is small, but GPU is more impactful.
What should I do if I get this PMLE question wrong?
Identify which PMLE 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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: Jun 24, 2026
This PMLE 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 PMLE exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.