The answer is the Reader role assigned at the resource group scope. This is correct because RBAC permissions are inherited and scoped; assigning the Reader role at the RG-Finance scope grants read-only access to all resources within that specific resource group while explicitly denying write permissions, and because the scope is limited to that single resource group, the auditor cannot see resources in any other group. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of scope granularity versus role permissions—a common trap is assuming a subscription-level Reader role works, but that would grant visibility into all resource groups under the subscription, violating the requirement for restricted access. Remember the key principle: scope defines the boundary of access, while the role defines the level of access within that boundary. A useful memory tip is “scope is the fence, role is the key”—to keep someone out of other yards, you must build the fence around only their yard.
AZ-104 Manage Azure Identities and Governance Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of manage azure identities and governance. 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.
Exhibit
Access review notes
Requested access for user: auditor1
Scope needed: RG-Finance only
Permitted actions:
- View resource properties
- View tags and configuration
Prohibited actions:
- Create, update, or delete resources
- Access other resource groups
Current assignment candidates:
- Reader at subscription scope
- Reader at RG-Finance scope
- Contributor at RG-Finance scope
Based on the exhibit, an auditor needs to view all resources in RG-Finance but must not be able to make any changes. The auditor also should not have access to other resource groups. Which RBAC assignment best meets the requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Access review notes
Requested access for user: auditor1
Scope needed: RG-Finance only
Permitted actions:
- View resource properties
- View tags and configuration
Prohibited actions:
- Create, update, or delete resources
- Access other resource groups
Current assignment candidates:
- Reader at subscription scope
- Reader at RG-Finance scope
- Contributor at RG-Finance scope
A
Reader at the subscription scope, because it is read-only and easy to manage.
Why wrong: Reader is read-only, but subscription scope would expose every resource group in the subscription. The requirement is to limit access to RG-Finance only, so subscription scope grants too much visibility.
B
Reader at RG-Finance scope, because it allows viewing without granting write permissions.
Reader at the resource group scope gives the auditor visibility into the resources in RG-Finance without permitting changes. This is the narrowest built-in role and scope combination that satisfies the requirement to view the group only and avoid access to other resource groups.
C
Contributor at RG-Finance scope, because the auditor needs to read tags and configuration.
Why wrong: Contributor includes write permissions, which are explicitly not allowed. Even though it can read resource details, it is far broader than required and would let the auditor make changes to the resource group.
D
Reader at the management group scope, because all finance resources are grouped there.
Why wrong: Management group scope would likely include many subscriptions and resource groups, not just RG-Finance. That would expose far more resources than the auditor is supposed to see. The question asks for the narrowest correct scope.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Reader at RG-Finance scope, because it allows viewing without granting write permissions.
The Reader role at the RG-Finance scope grants read-only access to all resources within that specific resource group, preventing any modifications. This meets the auditor's requirement to view resources in RG-Finance without write permissions and without access to other resource groups, as the scope is limited to RG-Finance.
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.
✗
Reader at the subscription scope, because it is read-only and easy to manage.
Why it's wrong here
Reader is read-only, but subscription scope would expose every resource group in the subscription. The requirement is to limit access to RG-Finance only, so subscription scope grants too much visibility.
✓
Reader at RG-Finance scope, because it allows viewing without granting write permissions.
Why this is correct
Reader at the resource group scope gives the auditor visibility into the resources in RG-Finance without permitting changes. This is the narrowest built-in role and scope combination that satisfies the requirement to view the group only and avoid access to other resource groups.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Contributor at RG-Finance scope, because the auditor needs to read tags and configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Contributor includes write permissions, which are explicitly not allowed. Even though it can read resource details, it is far broader than required and would let the auditor make changes to the resource group.
✗
Reader at the management group scope, because all finance resources are grouped there.
Why it's wrong here
Management group scope would likely include many subscriptions and resource groups, not just RG-Finance. That would expose far more resources than the auditor is supposed to see. The question asks for the narrowest correct scope.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Reader at the subscription scope (Option A) thinking it is simpler and still read-only, but they overlook the requirement to restrict access to only one resource group, which subscription-level access violates due to inheritance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure RBAC uses a hierarchical scope model where permissions assigned at a parent scope (e.g., management group, subscription) are inherited by all child scopes. The Reader role is a built-in role that includes 'Microsoft.Resources/subscriptions/resourceGroups/read' and similar read actions, but no write actions. Assigning the role at the resource group scope ensures that the auditor can only see resources within RG-Finance, and the role definition explicitly excludes write, delete, or modify actions, as verified by the 'Actions' and 'NotActions' properties in the role definition.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-104 question in full detail.
Manage Azure Identities and Governance — This question tests Manage Azure Identities and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reader at RG-Finance scope, because it allows viewing without granting write permissions. — The Reader role at the RG-Finance scope grants read-only access to all resources within that specific resource group, preventing any modifications. This meets the auditor's requirement to view resources in RG-Finance without write permissions and without access to other resource groups, as the scope is limited to RG-Finance.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
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.
This AZ-104 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-104 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.