Quick Answer
The answer is a TXT record. This is the correct choice because Microsoft 365 uses a TXT record containing a unique verification value, which you add to the public DNS zone of your domain, to prove you control the domain; only the domain owner can modify DNS records, so successfully adding this record confirms ownership. On the MS-102 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the domain onboarding process, where the status “Pending verification” is a common trap that leads candidates to mistakenly choose MX or CNAME records for mail routing instead. Remember, TXT records are for verification and proof of control, while MX handles mail flow. A simple memory tip: “TXT for Trust” — the TXT record establishes trust that you own the domain before any services are configured.
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage a microsoft 365 tenant. 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.
An administrator adds the custom domain 'fabrikam.com' to a new Microsoft 365 tenant. After adding the domain, the status shows 'Pending verification'. Which type of DNS record must be added to the public DNS zone to complete domain ownership verification?
MX record
Why wrong: MX records are used for mail routing, not for domain verification.
TXT record
A TXT record with the verification string is added to the domain's DNS zone to confirm ownership.
CNAME record
Why wrong: CNAME records are used for aliasing one domain to another, not for verification.
SPF record
Why wrong: SPF records are used to authorize email senders, not for domain 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, you must add a TXT record with a specific verification value provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center to the public DNS zone. This proves you control the domain because only the domain owner can modify DNS records. Other record types like MX, CNAME, or SPF are used for mail routing or service configuration, not for ownership verification.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 used for mail routing, not for domain verification.
TXT record
Why this is correct
A TXT record with the verification string is added to the domain's DNS zone to confirm ownership.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CNAME record
Why it's wrong here
CNAME records are used for aliasing one domain to another, not for verification.
SPF record
Why it's wrong here
SPF records are used to authorize email senders, not for domain verification.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the verification TXT record with other TXT-based records like SPF or DKIM, or assume any DNS record type can be used for verification, but Microsoft specifically requires a TXT record with a unique token for domain ownership proof.
Detailed technical explanation
The verification TXT record contains a unique verification string (e.g., 'MS=ms12345678') that Microsoft checks against the public DNS. This process is defined in RFC 1035 for TXT records and is a standard method across many cloud services. A common real-world scenario is that the TXT record must be added exactly as provided, including case sensitivity, and DNS propagation can take up to 72 hours, though it often completes within minutes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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. 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: TXT record — To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, you must add a TXT record with a specific verification value provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center to the public DNS zone. This proves you control the domain because only the domain owner can modify DNS records. Other record types like MX, CNAME, or SPF are used for mail routing or service configuration, not for ownership verification.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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 administrator adds the custom domain 'contoso.com' to a new Microsoft 365 tenant and needs to verify domain ownership. Which type of DNS record must be added to the public DNS zone to complete verification?
easyWhy B: To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, you must add a TXT record with a specific verification string provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center to the public DNS zone. The TXT record is used because it can store arbitrary text data, which the Microsoft 365 domain verification service queries to confirm that you control the domain. This is the standard method defined in RFC 1035 for domain ownership verification.
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.