CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A routing table contains these entries for the same destination space: 10.1.0.0/16, 10.1.10.0/24, and 0.0.0.0/0. Which route is used for traffic to 10.1.10.44?
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is selecting the less specific route (10.1.0.0/16) or the default route (0.0.0.0/0) for the destination 10.1.10.44. Candidates might mistakenly believe that overlapping routes cause conflicts or that the default route overrides specific routes. However, Cisco routers always apply the longest-prefix match rule, choosing the most specific subnet mask that fits the destination IP. Overlapping routes do not cause routing failures; instead, they provide multiple options where the router picks the best match. Misunderstanding this can lead to incorrect answers and confusion about routing behavior.
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
✓
10.1.10.0/24
The 10.1.10.0/24 route is used because it is the most specific matching prefix. In plain language, even though the /16 route and the default route could also match, the /24 route describes the destination range more precisely. Longest-prefix match therefore selects the /24 entry. This is a foundational route-selection rule. The default route remains important as a fallback, but it is not used when more specific routes exist. Likewise, the /16 route is less specific than the /24, so it loses for this destination.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
10.1.0.0/16
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the /16 is less specific than the matching /24 route.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the routing table only includes the entry 10.1.0.0/16 and no more specific routes for 10.1.10.0/24, the 10.1.0.0/16 route would be the correct answer for traffic to 10.1.10.44, as it would be the only available route.
- ✓
10.1.10.0/24
Why this is correct
This is correct because 10.1.10.44 falls within that more specific prefix.
- ✗
0.0.0.0/0
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the default route is used only when no more specific route matches.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the routing table only contains the default route 0.0.0.0/0 and no other specific routes, any traffic, including to 10.1.10.44, would be directed through this default route. A question could specify that no other routes exist.
- ✗
No route, because the entries overlap
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because overlapping routes are normal and longest-prefix match resolves the decision.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the routing table entries are configured incorrectly or the router is set to reject overlapping routes, a question could ask what happens when two routes overlap, leading to confusion about which route is used. In such a case, if the question specified that overlapping routes are not allowed, this option could be correct.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓10.1.10.0/24Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because 10.1.10.44 falls within that more specific prefix.
✗10.1.0.0/16Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The route 10.1.0.0/16 is less specific than the /24 route for the destination 10.1.10.44. The router uses the longest prefix match, so the /24 route is preferred over the /16 route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the routing table only includes the entry 10.1.0.0/16 and no more specific routes for 10.1.10.0/24, the 10.1.0.0/16 route would be the correct answer for traffic to 10.1.10.44, as it would be the only available route.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that since 10.1.10.44 falls within the 10.1.0.0/16 range, the /16 route would be used, but they overlook the more specific /24 route.
✗0.0.0.0/0Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default route 0.0.0.0/0 is only used when no more specific route matches the destination. Since 10.1.10.44 matches the /24 route, the default route is not considered.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the routing table only contains the default route 0.0.0.0/0 and no other specific routes, any traffic, including to 10.1.10.44, would be directed through this default route. A question could specify that no other routes exist.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse the default route as a catch-all that overrides other routes, but it is actually the least preferred route and only used as a last resort.
✗No route, because the entries overlapWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Overlapping routes are normal in routing tables and do not cause a 'no route' situation. The router resolves the conflict by selecting the route with the longest prefix match.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the routing table entries are configured incorrectly or the router is set to reject overlapping routes, a question could ask what happens when two routes overlap, leading to confusion about which route is used. In such a case, if the question specified that overlapping routes are not allowed, this option could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that overlapping routes create ambiguity or errors, but routers are designed to handle overlapping prefixes using the longest prefix match algorithm.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
IPv4 Address Class Summary
| Class | First Octet Range | Default Mask | Networks | Hosts per Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–126 | /8 (255.0.0.0) | 126 | 16,777,214 |
| B | 128–191 | /16 (255.255.0.0) | 16,384 | 65,534 |
| C | 192–223 | /24 (255.255.255.0) | 2,097,152 | 254 |
| D | 224–239 | N/A | Multicast groups | — |
| E | 240–255 | N/A | Reserved / experimental | — |
127.x.x.x is reserved for loopback. Modern networks use CIDR (classless) rather than classful addressing.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
Default route
A default route is a catch-all routing entry that tells a network device where to send packets when no specific route matches the destination address.
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco 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 200-301 exam.