The answer is to create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD. This is the correct first step because Azure AD’s gallery only contains pre-integrated applications, and for any third-party SaaS app that supports SAML 2.0 but is not listed, the non-gallery template provides the generic SAML endpoints and metadata fields needed to establish trust between Azure AD and the application. On the MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of enterprise application provisioning and the distinction between gallery and non-gallery integrations; a common trap is assuming you can directly configure SSO from the application’s own portal without first registering it in Azure AD. Remember the order: register first, then configure SAML. A helpful memory tip is “No gallery? No problem—create a non-gallery app to start the SAML handshake.”
MS-102 Deploy and manage a Microsoft 365 tenant Practice Question
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 organization uses a third-party SaaS application that supports SAML-based single sign-on. The application is not in the Azure AD gallery. What is the first step to configure SSO?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD
The correct first step is to create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD. This allows you to configure SAML-based SSO for any third-party application that supports SAML 2.0, even if it is not listed in the Azure AD gallery. The non-gallery application template provides the necessary endpoints and metadata to establish trust between Azure AD and the SaaS application.
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.
✓
Create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD
Why this is correct
This is the standard first step for integrating a custom SAML application that is not pre-listed in the gallery.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure Azure AD Connect to sync on-premises users
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD Connect syncs identity objects but is not the first step for setting up SAML SSO for a SaaS application.
✗
Add the application in the Microsoft 365 admin center under 'Integrated apps'
Why it's wrong here
The Microsoft 365 admin center provides app management for Office 365 apps, but SAML SSO is configured in Azure AD.
✗
Create a custom role in Azure AD for the application
Why it's wrong here
Custom roles are not required for SSO configuration; they are used for delegated administration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'Integrated apps' section in the Microsoft 365 admin center with Azure AD enterprise applications, but the former is for managing add-ins and the latter is the correct location for SAML SSO configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When you create a non-gallery enterprise application, Azure AD generates a SAML configuration page with endpoints such as the Single Sign-On Service URL, Audience URI, and Reply URL. You must then copy these values into the third-party application's SAML settings, and upload the application's metadata or certificate to Azure AD. This process establishes the federation trust, enabling token-based authentication where Azure AD issues a SAML assertion to the application upon successful user authentication.
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.
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD — The correct first step is to create a new enterprise application from the 'Non-gallery application' option in Azure AD. This allows you to configure SAML-based SSO for any third-party application that supports SAML 2.0, even if it is not listed in the Azure AD gallery. The non-gallery application template provides the necessary endpoints and metadata to establish trust between Azure AD and the SaaS application.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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