AZ-204 Implement Azure security Practice Question
A single-page app signs in users with Microsoft Entra ID and calls a protected API. The app cannot safely keep a client secret. Which OAuth flow should be used? The architecture review board prefers a managed Azure-native control.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the implicit flow (which was historically used for SPAs) with the modern PKCE-enhanced authorization code flow, not realizing that the implicit flow is now deprecated and the authorization code flow with PKCE is the current best practice for public clients.
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
✓
Authorization code flow with PKCE
The authorization code flow with PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) is the correct choice because it is designed for public clients (like single-page apps) that cannot securely store a client secret. PKCE uses a dynamically generated cryptographic code verifier and challenge to prevent authorization code interception attacks, making it the recommended OAuth 2.0 flow for SPAs calling protected APIs in Microsoft Entra ID.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implicit flow
Why it's wrong here
Implicit flow is legacy and less secure than authorization code with PKCE.
- ✗
Client credentials flow
Why it's wrong here
Client credentials is for daemon/service-to-service access, not user sign-in in a SPA.
- ✗
Resource owner password credentials flow
Why it's wrong here
ROPC is discouraged and incompatible with many modern security controls.
- ✓
Authorization code flow with PKCE
Why this is correct
PKCE protects public clients that cannot store secrets and is recommended for SPAs.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-204 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-204 exam.