The answer is Pass-through Authentication (PTA). This is the correct choice because it validates user credentials directly against on-premises Active Directory without ever storing password hashes in the cloud, fulfilling the requirement to avoid password hash synchronization entirely. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between authentication methods based on security and infrastructure constraints—a common trap is confusing Seamless SSO (which is merely a convenience feature that still requires PTA or federation) with a standalone solution, or assuming AD FS is the only way to avoid hash sync. Remember the key distinction: PTA passes the password through for on-premises validation, while Password Hash Sync stores a hash in Azure AD. Memory tip: “PTA = Pass Through, not Pass Hash.”
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. 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.
Your organization has a hybrid identity solution using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and on-premises Active Directory. You need to design a solution that allows users to use their on-premises credentials to authenticate to cloud applications, but you want to avoid synchronizing password hashes to the cloud. Which authentication method should you choose?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Pass-through Authentication
Pass-through Authentication allows users to sign in using their on-premises password without synchronizing password hashes to Microsoft Entra ID. Option A (Password Hash Synchronization) requires hash sync. Option B (Federation with AD FS) requires federation infrastructure. Option D (Seamless Single Sign-On) is a feature that works with other methods.
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.
✗
Seamless Single Sign-On
Why it's wrong here
Seamless SSO is a feature that works with Password Hash Sync or Pass-through Authentication, not a standalone method.
✓
Pass-through Authentication
Why this is correct
Pass-through Authentication validates passwords on-premises without storing hashes in the cloud.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
Why it's wrong here
AD FS requires additional on-premises infrastructure and is more complex.
✗
Password Hash Synchronization
Why it's wrong here
This method synchronizes password hashes to the cloud, which you want to avoid.
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 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-305 question in full detail.
Identify which AZ-305 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.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pass-through Authentication — Pass-through Authentication allows users to sign in using their on-premises password without synchronizing password hashes to Microsoft Entra ID. Option A (Password Hash Synchronization) requires hash sync. Option B (Federation with AD FS) requires federation infrastructure. Option D (Seamless Single Sign-On) is a feature that works with other methods.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 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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