The answer is Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO), which must be enabled alongside Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) to allow users on domain-joined devices to access Microsoft 365 applications without any password prompt. This works because Seamless SSO leverages the Kerberos authentication protocol, using a special computer account in on-premises Active Directory to issue a Kerberos ticket that Microsoft Entra ID can validate, effectively eliminating the need for re-authentication when the user is already signed into their domain-joined device. On the MS-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how PHS handles identity synchronization but does not itself provide silent authentication—Seamless SSO is the missing piece. A common trap is confusing PHS with Pass-through Authentication (PTA) or thinking federation is required; remember that PHS plus Seamless SSO is the simplest no-prompt solution for domain-joined devices. Memory tip: “PHS syncs the hash, Seamless SSO skips the ask.”
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 uses Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) to synchronize identities to Microsoft Entra ID. They want to enable users to access Microsoft 365 applications from their domain-joined work devices without being prompted to re-enter their credentials. Which feature should they enable in addition to PHS?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Seamless Single Sign-On
Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO) is the correct feature to enable alongside Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) because it allows users on domain-joined devices to automatically authenticate to Microsoft 365 applications without being prompted for credentials. It works by integrating with Kerberos authentication, using a computer account in the on-premises Active Directory to issue a Kerberos ticket that Microsoft Entra ID can validate, eliminating the need for re-authentication.
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.
✓
Seamless Single Sign-On
Why this is correct
Seamless SSO enables silent sign-in for domain-joined devices when combined with PHS or PTA.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Pass-through Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Pass-through Authentication is an alternative to PHS but does not by itself provide silent sign-in without Seamless SSO.
✗
Azure AD Connect Health
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD Connect Health provides monitoring and insights, not authentication features.
✗
Conditional Access
Why it's wrong here
Conditional Access enforces access policies but does not enable silent authentication.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Pass-through Authentication (PTA) with Seamless SSO, thinking PTA alone provides the same credential-free experience, but PTA only handles password validation without the automatic ticket-based sign-on that Seamless SSO provides.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Seamless SSO leverages the Kerberos protocol by having the user's domain-joined device present a Kerberos ticket to a Microsoft Entra ID endpoint (specifically, the Azure AD Seamless SSO service). This ticket is obtained from the on-premises domain controller using the computer's machine account, and Microsoft Entra ID validates it via a trust relationship established during the feature's configuration. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for reducing password fatigue in hybrid environments where users frequently switch between on-premises and cloud resources.
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: Seamless Single Sign-On — Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO) is the correct feature to enable alongside Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) because it allows users on domain-joined devices to automatically authenticate to Microsoft 365 applications without being prompted for credentials. It works by integrating with Kerberos authentication, using a computer account in the on-premises Active Directory to issue a Kerberos ticket that Microsoft Entra ID can validate, eliminating the need for re-authentication.
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
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 →
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.
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.