Quick Answer
The correct answer is Azure AD self-service password reset (SSPR) with password writeback, because this configuration allows users in a hybrid identity environment to reset their on-premises Active Directory passwords directly from the cloud. Password writeback is the critical component that synchronizes the new password back to the on-premises domain controller, ensuring that the hybrid identity model remains intact and users can authenticate against both cloud and local resources with the same credential. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity synchronization and the limitations of cloud-only password resets—a common trap is selecting just SSPR without writeback, which would only update the cloud password and break the on-premises sync. Remember the mnemonic “Write it back to keep the stack,” meaning password writeback is essential for hybrid stacks to maintain consistency.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 with Microsoft Entra ID and on-premises Active Directory. You need to allow users to reset their own passwords from the cloud. What should you configure?
Password hash synchronization only
Why wrong: PHS alone does not enable SSPR.
Azure AD Connect with password hash sync
Why wrong: This is part of the setup but not the full solution.
Pass-through authentication
Why wrong: PTA does not support password writeback.
Azure AD self-service password reset with password writeback
SSPR with writeback allows users to reset on-premises passwords from the cloud.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure AD self-service password reset with password writeback
Azure AD self-service password reset (SSPR) with password writeback is the correct configuration because it allows users to reset their on-premises Active Directory passwords from the cloud. Password writeback ensures that the new password is written back to the on-premises AD, maintaining hybrid identity synchronization. Without writeback, cloud-only password resets would not update the on-premises directory, breaking the hybrid identity model.
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.
Password hash synchronization only
Why it's wrong here
PHS alone does not enable SSPR.
Azure AD Connect with password hash sync
Why it's wrong here
This is part of the setup but not the full solution.
Pass-through authentication
Why it's wrong here
PTA does not support password writeback.
Azure AD self-service password reset with password writeback
Why this is correct
SSPR with writeback allows users to reset on-premises passwords from the cloud.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse password hash synchronization with the ability to perform password resets, not realizing that SSPR with writeback is a separate feature requiring explicit configuration beyond just syncing hashes.
Detailed technical explanation
Password writeback uses the Azure AD Connect synchronization engine to securely write the new password hash back to the on-premises AD via the Azure AD Connect server. The feature requires a service account with specific permissions in Active Directory (e.g., reset password and change password rights) and uses TLS 1.2 for secure communication. In a real-world scenario, if writeback is not enabled, users resetting their password via SSPR would only update the cloud password, causing authentication failures for on-premises resources.
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
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FAQ
Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — This question tests Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure AD self-service password reset with password writeback — Azure AD self-service password reset (SSPR) with password writeback is the correct configuration because it allows users to reset their on-premises Active Directory passwords from the cloud. Password writeback ensures that the new password is written back to the on-premises AD, maintaining hybrid identity synchronization. Without writeback, cloud-only password resets would not update the on-premises directory, breaking the hybrid identity model.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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