- A
Stages can run in parallel if dependencies allow.
Using dependsOn with none.
- B
Each stage can contain only one job.
Why wrong: Stages can contain multiple jobs.
- C
Each stage must run on the same agent.
Why wrong: Stages can use different agents.
- D
Stages cannot have conditions.
Why wrong: Stages can have conditions.
- E
They are defined in a single YAML file.
Multi-stage pipelines are YAML-based.
Question 305 of 928
Multi-Stage Pipelines in Azure Pipelines
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement build and release pipelines. 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.
Which TWO of the following are true about multi-stage pipelines in Azure Pipelines?
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
✓
Stages can run in parallel if dependencies allow.
Option A is correct because Azure Pipelines allows stages to run in parallel when their dependencies are configured appropriately. By default, stages run sequentially, but you can use the 'dependsOn' keyword to define dependencies, and if a stage has no dependencies on another, it can execute concurrently. This enables faster pipeline execution by running independent stages simultaneously.
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.
- ✓
Stages can run in parallel if dependencies allow.
Why this is correct
Using dependsOn with none.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Each stage can contain only one job.
Why it's wrong here
Stages can contain multiple jobs.
- ✗
Each stage must run on the same agent.
Why it's wrong here
Stages can use different agents.
- ✗
Stages cannot have conditions.
Why it's wrong here
Stages can have conditions.
- ✓
They are defined in a single YAML file.
Why this is correct
Multi-stage pipelines are YAML-based.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume stages must be sequential or share the same agent, but Azure Pipelines explicitly supports parallel execution and independent agent allocation per stage.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Pipelines uses a directed acyclic graph (DAG) to model stage dependencies, where each stage is a node and edges represent 'dependsOn' relationships. The pipeline runner evaluates the DAG at runtime to determine which stages can start in parallel, respecting agent availability and pool constraints. In real-world scenarios, parallel stages are critical for reducing build and deployment time, such as running separate integration tests and security scans concurrently after a build stage completes.
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: Stages can run in parallel if dependencies allow. — Option A is correct because Azure Pipelines allows stages to run in parallel when their dependencies are configured appropriately. By default, stages run sequentially, but you can use the 'dependsOn' keyword to define dependencies, and if a stage has no dependencies on another, it can execute concurrently. This enables faster pipeline execution by running independent stages simultaneously.
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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