The answer is Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) in Microsoft Entra ID. This feature is correct because it is the dedicated Entra capability that allows users to unlock accounts or reset forgotten passwords without administrator intervention, and it supports mobile app notifications as a verification method when configured under the Authentication methods policy. On the MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of how SSPR integrates with the Microsoft Authenticator app, often appearing in scenarios where you must distinguish between SSPR, Password Protection, and Conditional Access—a common trap is confusing SSPR with MFA registration, but remember that SSPR specifically handles password reset flows, not just sign-in verification. To lock in the concept, use the mnemonic "SSPR = Self-Service Password Reset, not just MFA" and recall that enabling the 'Mobile app notification' option under Authentication methods is the key step to satisfy the search intent of self-service password reset mobile app notification.
MS-102 Practice Question: Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage identity and access in microsoft entra id. 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.
A company wants to allow users to reset their own forgotten passwords using a mobile app notification as the verification method. Which Microsoft Entra feature should be enabled and configured?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Self-service password reset
Self-service password reset (SSPR) is the Microsoft Entra feature that allows users to reset their own forgotten passwords. To use a mobile app notification as the verification method, the administrator must enable SSPR and configure the 'Mobile app notification' authentication method under the 'Authentication methods' policy. This satisfies the requirement for a password reset triggered by a mobile app notification.
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.
✗
Azure AD Password Protection
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Password Protection blocks common weak passwords but does not allow users to reset their own passwords.
✓
Self-service password reset
Why this is correct
Correct. SSPR can be configured to allow mobile app notification as a verification method for password resets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Privileged Identity Management
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. PIM manages just-in-time access for privileged roles, not general user password resets.
✗
Identity Protection
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Identity Protection detects risks and can automate remediation but does not provide self-service password reset.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Identity Protection (which can trigger a password reset based on risk) with the actual self-service password reset feature, forgetting that Identity Protection only initiates the reset process but does not provide the user-facing portal or verification methods for forgotten passwords.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSPR relies on the Microsoft Entra authentication methods policy, which supports multiple verification methods including mobile app notification (via Microsoft Authenticator), mobile app code, phone call, and email. When a user initiates a password reset, SSPR enforces the configured number of gates (e.g., one or two verification steps) before allowing the password change. Under the hood, SSPR uses the Azure AD Graph API and the Password Reset API to validate the user's identity and update the password hash in the directory.
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 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 MS-102 question in full detail.
Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — This question tests Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Self-service password reset — Self-service password reset (SSPR) is the Microsoft Entra feature that allows users to reset their own forgotten passwords. To use a mobile app notification as the verification method, the administrator must enable SSPR and configure the 'Mobile app notification' authentication method under the 'Authentication methods' policy. This satisfies the requirement for a password reset triggered by a mobile app notification.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 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.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. A company wants to allow users to reset their own passwords without administrator intervention. They need to configure Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) for all cloud-only users. Which Azure AD license is required for all users to enable SSPR?
easy
A.Azure AD Free
✓ B.Azure AD Premium P1
C.Microsoft 365 Business Basic
D.Azure AD Premium P2
Why B: Azure AD Premium P1 includes the Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) capability for cloud-only users. Azure AD Free only supports SSPR for cloud users if the tenant has at least one Azure AD Premium P1 license assigned, but the feature itself is a Premium P1 benefit. Microsoft 365 Business Basic does not include SSPR; it provides basic identity features without password reset self-service. Azure AD Premium P2 includes all P1 features plus Identity Protection and Privileged Identity Management, but SSPR does not require P2.
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Question Discussion
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