mediumMultiple Choice
SSPR Authentication Method Requirements
An organization wants to configure Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) for all users. The administrator must ensure that users register two authentication methods: one from the mobile app category (e.g., notification or code) and one from the phone call category (e.g., office phone or mobile phone). Which combination of methods should the administrator select in the SSPR settings?
Quick Answer
The answer is mobile app notification and office phone. This combination is correct because SSPR authentication method requirements mandate that users register two methods from distinct categories, and here the mobile app notification falls under the mobile app category while the office phone belongs to the phone call category, satisfying the policy. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of how SSPR enforces category diversity to ensure recovery options are not all dependent on a single device or network type. A common trap is selecting two methods from the same category, such as mobile app notification and mobile app code, which would fail the requirement. Remember the memory tip: “One app, one call” — always pair a mobile app method with a phone call method to meet the two-category rule.
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the 'mobile app' category with 'email' or 'security questions', or assume that 'mobile phone' (which is in the phone call category) counts as a mobile app method, leading them to select combinations that do not meet the category requirement.
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
✓
Mobile app notification and Office phone
The SSPR policy requires users to register two authentication methods from distinct categories. The mobile app notification (from the mobile app category) and office phone (from the phone call category) satisfy this requirement. This combination ensures that users have one method from the mobile app category and one from the phone call category, as specified in the question.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Mobile app notification and Office phone
Why this is correct
SSPR requires two methods from distinct categories. Mobile app notification belongs to the mobile app category, while office phone belongs to the phone call category, so this pairing satisfies the requirement for one method from each.
- ✗
Mobile app code and Security questions
Why it's wrong here
Security questions fall outside both the mobile app and phone call categories, so this combination fails the stated requirement. It is tempting because security questions are a standard SSPR option, but they are correct only when the policy permits knowledge-based authentication rather than the two specified method categories.
- ✗
Email and Mobile phone
Why it's wrong here
Email belongs to the email category, not the mobile app category, so this pairing cannot satisfy the two-category requirement. It is tempting because email and mobile phone are both common SSPR methods, but the stem demands one mobile app method plus one phone call method.
- ✗
Security questions and Office phone
Why it's wrong here
Security questions are not a phone call category method, so this pairing does not meet the requirement of one mobile app method plus one phone call method. It is tempting because Office phone is valid, but the second method must come from the mobile app category, not knowledge-based questions.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Global Administrator Best Practices
Key term
Policy
A policy is a set of rules or guidelines that defines how an organization manages, secures, and operates its IT systems and services.
Key term
Self-service password reset
Self-service password reset (SSPR) is a Microsoft identity feature that allows users to reset their own passwords without needing help from an IT helpdesk.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on MS-102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An organization wants to enable users to reset their own passwords using the Microsoft Authenticator app and to prevent reuse of the last five passwords. Which Microsoft Entra ID features should be configured?
medium- A.Microsoft Entra ID Protection and SSPR
- ✓ B.Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) and Password Protection
- C.Conditional Access and SSPR
- D.Identity Governance and SSPR
Why B: SSPR supports the Authenticator app for self-reset, but Password Protection only provides banned password lists and does not track password history. Microsoft Entra ID cloud user accounts have a fixed password history of one; to enforce a history of five, an on-premises Active Directory password policy is required. Therefore, Option B is not correct.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.