This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage a microsoft 365 tenant. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: tXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS.. 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.
An administrator has added the custom domain 'fabrikam.com' to their Microsoft 365 tenant and is now ready to verify ownership. Which type of DNS record should the administrator create in the public DNS zone to complete the verification?
MX record
Why wrong: MX records are for email routing, not domain verification.
TXT record
TXT records are used to store text data; Microsoft uses them for domain verification.
CNAME record
Why wrong: CNAME records alias one domain to another, not for verification.
record
Why wrong: A records map a domain to an IP address, not for verification.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
TXT record
To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, the administrator must create a TXT record in the public DNS zone containing a specific verification string provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center. The TXT record is the standard DNS record type used for domain ownership verification because it can store arbitrary text data without affecting email routing or other services, and Microsoft 365 checks for this record to confirm the domain is under the administrator's control.
Key principle: TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
MX record
Why it's wrong here
MX records are for email routing, not domain verification.
TXT record
Why this is correct
TXT records are used to store text data; Microsoft uses them for domain verification.
Related concept
TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS.
CNAME record
Why it's wrong here
CNAME records alias one domain to another, not for verification.
record
Why it's wrong here
A records map a domain to an IP address, not for verification.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse domain verification with email routing or service configuration, leading them to choose MX or CNAME records, but Microsoft 365 explicitly requires a TXT record for ownership proof and uses a unique verification string that must be entered exactly as provided.
Detailed technical explanation
The TXT record verification method leverages the DNS system's ability to store arbitrary text, and Microsoft 365 generates a unique verification token (e.g., 'MS=ms12345678') that must be added as the record's value. Once the TXT record is created and propagated, Microsoft 365 performs a DNS lookup for the specific TXT record at the domain's root (e.g., fabrikam.com) and matches the token to confirm ownership. This method is preferred over MX or CNAME records because it is non-disruptive and does not interfere with existing email or web services, and it is defined in RFC 1035 for general-purpose DNS data.
Key takeaway
TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS.
Real-world example
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. TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS. 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
Review tXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All MS-102 questions
975 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
MS-102 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Implement and manage Microsoft Entra identity and access.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage compliance by using Microsoft Purview.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Manage users, groups, licensing, and support.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 fundamentals.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 scenario.
Practise MS-102 questions linked to MS-102 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant — This question tests Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant — TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS..
The correct answer is: TXT record — To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, the administrator must create a TXT record in the public DNS zone containing a specific verification string provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center. The TXT record is the standard DNS record type used for domain ownership verification because it can store arbitrary text data without affecting email routing or other services, and Microsoft 365 checks for this record to confirm the domain is under the administrator's control.
Review tXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS., then practise related MS-102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
TXT records store arbitrary text data in DNS.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This MS-102 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 MS-102 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.