- A
Use the PublishTestResults@2 task with the 'codeCoverage' option.
Why wrong: PublishTestResults does not handle code coverage enforcement.
- B
Add a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with non-zero if below threshold.
A script can enforce the threshold by failing the step.
- C
Use the PublishCodeCoverageResults@1 task to publish coverage data.
This task publishes coverage data in a format that can be analyzed.
- D
Use the ReportGenerator@5 task to create a coverage report.
Why wrong: ReportGenerator creates reports but does not fail the build.
- E
Use the CopyFiles@2 task to move coverage files to a shared location.
Why wrong: CopyFiles does not check thresholds.
Question 492 of 928
Failing Azure Pipelines Build When Code Coverage Drops Below 80%
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Which TWO actions should you take to ensure that a build pipeline fails if code coverage drops below 80%?
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
✓
Add a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with non-zero if below threshold.
Option B is correct because adding a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with a non-zero exit code when coverage is below 80% directly causes the build pipeline to fail. Azure Pipelines treats any task that returns a non-zero exit code as a failure, which stops the pipeline. This is the standard method to enforce a coverage threshold without relying on built-in tasks that only publish or generate reports.
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.
- ✗
Use the PublishTestResults@2 task with the 'codeCoverage' option.
Why it's wrong here
PublishTestResults does not handle code coverage enforcement.
- ✓
Add a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with non-zero if below threshold.
Why this is correct
A script can enforce the threshold by failing the step.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use the PublishCodeCoverageResults@1 task to publish coverage data.
Why this is correct
This task publishes coverage data in a format that can be analyzed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the ReportGenerator@5 task to create a coverage report.
Why it's wrong here
ReportGenerator creates reports but does not fail the build.
- ✗
Use the CopyFiles@2 task to move coverage files to a shared location.
Why it's wrong here
CopyFiles does not check thresholds.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse publishing coverage data (which only reports results) with enforcing a threshold, assuming that tasks like PublishCodeCoverageResults@1 or PublishTestResults@2 can fail the pipeline based on coverage percentage, when in fact they do not have built-in threshold enforcement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Pipelines evaluates task success based on the exit code of the process; a non-zero exit code (e.g., 1) from a script task triggers the pipeline to stop and mark the stage as failed. The coverage file (e.g., Cobertura XML or JaCoCo XML) contains line-rate or branch-rate attributes that can be parsed with tools like PowerShell or Python to calculate the exact percentage. In real-world scenarios, teams often combine this with the PublishCodeCoverageResults@1 task to both enforce the threshold and publish results for visibility.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Design and implement build and release pipelines — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement build and release pipelines — This question tests Design and implement build and release pipelines — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with non-zero if below threshold. — Option B is correct because adding a script task that parses the coverage file and exits with a non-zero exit code when coverage is below 80% directly causes the build pipeline to fail. Azure Pipelines treats any task that returns a non-zero exit code as a failure, which stops the pipeline. This is the standard method to enforce a coverage threshold without relying on built-in tasks that only publish or generate reports.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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