The correct answer is to add a TXT record containing a verification code provided by Microsoft 365. This is because domain ownership verification relies on a challenge-response mechanism: Microsoft generates a unique, random string of characters, and you must place that exact string as the value of a TXT record in your domain’s public DNS zone. When Microsoft’s servers query your DNS and find that record, they confirm you have administrative control over the domain, which is a prerequisite for enabling email routing and other services. On the MS-102 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the initial tenant setup workflow, and a common trap is confusing verification records with service records like MX or SPF—those configure functionality, not ownership. A useful memory tip is “TXT for Trust”: the TXT record is the only record type used solely to prove trust and control, not to direct traffic.
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.
You are deploying a new Microsoft 365 tenant for a company that has a single domain, contoso.com. You need to verify domain ownership to enable email routing. Which DNS record type must you add to the public DNS zone?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
TXT record with a verification code provided by Microsoft 365.
To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, you must add a TXT record containing a unique verification code provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center to your public DNS zone. This proves you control the domain, enabling email routing and other services. Other DNS records like CNAME, SPF, or MX are used for service configuration, not ownership verification.
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.
✗
CNAME record with 'autodiscover' pointing to 'autodiscover.outlook.com'.
Why it's wrong here
CNAME is for client configuration, not domain verification.
✗
SPF record including Microsoft 365 IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
SPF is for email authentication, not verification.
✗
MX record pointing to Microsoft 365.
Why it's wrong here
MX records are used after verification for mail routing.
✓
TXT record with a verification code provided by Microsoft 365.
Why this is correct
Standard method for domain verification in Microsoft 365.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse service configuration records (like MX, SPF, or CNAME) with the mandatory verification record, assuming any DNS change proves ownership, but only the TXT record with the specific code satisfies Microsoft 365's domain proof requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Domain ownership verification relies on the DNS TXT record with a unique token generated by Microsoft 365, which the domain registrar must publish. Microsoft periodically queries the public DNS to confirm the token matches, a process defined in RFC 8555 for automated certificate management environments (ACME) but adapted here for tenant onboarding. In a real-world scenario, if the TXT record is missing or has a typo, domain verification fails, blocking all Microsoft 365 services until corrected.
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 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.
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: TXT record with a verification code provided by Microsoft 365. — To verify domain ownership in Microsoft 365, you must add a TXT record containing a unique verification code provided by the Microsoft 365 admin center to your public DNS zone. This proves you control the domain, enabling email routing and other services. Other DNS records like CNAME, SPF, or MX are used for service configuration, not ownership verification.
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.
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Question Discussion
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