MS-900 On-demand self-service Practice Question
Which THREE are key characteristics of cloud computing as defined by NIST?
⚠ Common exam trap
MS-900 often tests the NIST essential characteristics, and candidates may include high availability or reserved capacity because they are common cloud features, but they are not part of the NIST definition.
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
✓
Broad network access
The NIST SP 800-145 definition of cloud computing lists five essential characteristics, and three of them appear here: Broad network access (B), Resource pooling (C), and On-demand self-service (D). Broad network access (B) is correct because cloud capabilities must be available over the network through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms such as mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs. Resource pooling (C) is correct because the provider's computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand. On-demand self-service (D) is correct because a consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider. The other two NIST characteristics not listed among the options are rapid elasticity and measured service. High availability (A) is a desirable quality attribute but is not one of the five NIST essential characteristics, and reserved capacity (E) describes a purchasing or pricing model rather than a defining characteristic of cloud computing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
High availability
Why it's wrong here
High availability is a service-level outcome an architecture may deliver, not one of the five NIST essential characteristics, which are on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service. It is tempting because resilient cloud platforms do advertise availability, but that belongs to design quality rather than the definition itself.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access is a NIST essential characteristic: capabilities are available over the network through standard mechanisms, accessible from heterogeneous client platforms such as laptops, tablets, and phones. This satisfies the stem's request for a NIST-defined cloud characteristic.
- ✓
Resource pooling
Why this is correct
Resource pooling is a NIST essential characteristic: the provider's computing resources serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according to demand. This satisfies the stem's request for a NIST-defined characteristic.
- ✓
On-demand self-service
Why this is correct
On-demand self-service lets a consumer provision computing capabilities, such as server time and storage, automatically without human interaction with each provider. NIST lists it among the essential characteristics of cloud computing, alongside broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service.
- ✗
Reserved capacity
Why it's wrong here
Reserved capacity is a commercial purchasing model for compute instances, not a NIST essential characteristic; the definition requires on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity and measured service. It is tempting because reservations genuinely reduce cost for steady workloads, but provisioning economics sit outside the cloud definition.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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