The answer is an adaptive scope based on last modified date. This is correct because adaptive scopes in Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management dynamically target content based on metadata properties, such as the last modified date, allowing you to retain documents for 7 years after their last modification without needing to specify fixed site locations. On the SC-900 exam, this tests your understanding of how to implement flexible retention rules for regulatory compliance, contrasting with static scopes that lock onto specific sites and cannot adjust to changing content. A common trap is confusing adaptive scopes with auto-labeling policies, which apply sensitivity labels automatically, or DLP policies, which prevent data loss—neither handles time-based retention. Remember the key distinction: adaptive scopes adapt to metadata, while static scopes stay fixed. For a memory tip, think “adaptive = adjustable by date,” linking the scope type directly to the dynamic requirement of retaining documents based on when they were last modified.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft compliance solutions. 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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management to retain data for regulatory compliance. You need to ensure that all documents in a SharePoint site are retained for 7 years after they are last modified. What should you create?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An adaptive scope based on last modified date
Option B is correct because adaptive scopes allow dynamic targeting based on metadata. Option A is wrong because static scopes target specific sites. Option C is wrong because auto-labeling policies apply labels automatically. Option D is wrong because DLP policies protect data.
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.
✗
An auto-labeling policy
Why it's wrong here
Auto-labeling policies apply sensitivity or retention labels, but retention is managed via labels with retention periods.
✗
A data loss prevention policy
Why it's wrong here
DLP policies protect sensitive data, not manage retention.
✓
An adaptive scope based on last modified date
Why this is correct
Adaptive scopes can dynamically include content based on properties like last modified date.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A static scope for the SharePoint site
Why it's wrong here
Static scopes target specific locations but do not adapt based on last modified date.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-900 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.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An adaptive scope based on last modified date — Option B is correct because adaptive scopes allow dynamic targeting based on metadata. Option A is wrong because static scopes target specific sites. Option C is wrong because auto-labeling policies apply labels automatically. Option D is wrong because DLP policies protect data.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Identify which SC-900 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.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization uses Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management. You need to ensure that content in a SharePoint site is retained for 3 years after the last modification date. What should you create?
easy
A.A static retention policy with a 3-year duration
B.An auto-labeling policy for sensitive data
C.A default retention label for the library
✓ D.An adaptive retention policy based on a custom date property
Why D: Option A is correct because adaptive retention policies can use a custom date property like 'last modified' to trigger retention. Option B is wrong because static policies apply to all content. Option C is wrong because default labels do not use custom dates. Option D is wrong because auto-labeling is for classification.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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This SC-900 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-900 exam.
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