- A
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP
Correctly counts unique response IPs for long queries.
- B
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize count() by ClientIP | top 10 by count_
Why wrong: Counts all queries, not unique responses.
- C
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP | project ClientIP
Why wrong: Project removes the count column.
- D
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP
Why wrong: No filter for long query names.
Quick Answer
The answer is Option A, which correctly uses the KQL query `Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP`. This query is effective because it first filters for DNS queries with a query name longer than 50 characters—a classic indicator of tunneling—then uses `dcount()` to count unique response IPs per client, and finally selects the top 10 clients with the most distinct responses. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to detect data exfiltration via DNS tunneling using KQL in Microsoft Sentinel, a core skill for threat hunting. A common trap is confusing `count()` with `dcount()`; remember that tunneling often involves many different response IPs, not just a high total volume of responses. For a quick memory tip, think "Long name, many unique replies" to recall the two key filters: query name length over 50 and distinct response IPs.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 a security analyst using Microsoft Sentinel. During a threat hunt, you need to identify potential data exfiltration via DNS tunneling. You have DNS query logs ingested from your DNS servers via Syslog. The log schema includes fields: TimeGenerated, QueryName, QueryType, ClientIP, ResponseIP. You want to find DNS queries that are unusually long (over 50 characters in the query name) and have a high count of unique responses, which may indicate tunneling. You need to write a KQL query that returns the top 10 client IPs with the most unique response IPs for queries with query name length > 50 in the last 24 hours. Which query should you use?
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
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP
Option A correctly filters for long query names, summarizes distinct ResponseIPs per ClientIP, and orders by dcount. Option B counts all responses, not unique. Option C uses wrong field. Option D does not filter length.
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.
- ✓
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP
Why this is correct
Correctly counts unique response IPs for long queries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize count() by ClientIP | top 10 by count_
Why it's wrong here
Counts all queries, not unique responses.
- ✗
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP | project ClientIP
Why it's wrong here
Project removes the count column.
- ✗
Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP
Why it's wrong here
No filter for long query names.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Syslog | where TimeGenerated > ago(24h) | extend QueryNameLength = strlen(QueryName) | where QueryNameLength > 50 | summarize dcount(ResponseIP) by ClientIP | top 10 by dcount_ResponseIP — Option A correctly filters for long query names, summarizes distinct ResponseIPs per ClientIP, and orders by dcount. Option B counts all responses, not unique. Option C uses wrong field. Option D does not filter length.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This SC-200 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 SC-200 exam.
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