- A
The OSPF route, because its metric is lower
Why wrong: This is the classic wrong answer because the OSPF metric looks smaller. The mistake is treating metric values from different protocols as if they mean the same thing. They do not. The router first compares administrative distance when choosing between route sources such as OSPF and EIGRP, and only then uses metrics within a single protocol's own logic.
- B
The EIGRP route, because its administrative distance is lower
Correct. This is correct. EIGRP wins here because its default administrative distance of 90 is lower than OSPF's 110, so the router trusts the EIGRP route more when both advertise the same destination prefix.
- C
Both routes, because the prefixes are identical
Why wrong: Routers do not automatically install both routes just because the prefix is identical. When the entries come from different routing protocols, the router chooses the source with the best administrative distance first. Only after that, and usually within the same protocol, do equal-cost load-balancing rules come into play.
- D
Neither route, because the metrics use different scales
Why wrong: It is true that the metrics use different scales, but that does not mean the router rejects both routes. Cisco routers solve that comparison problem by using administrative distance first. In this case they still choose one route, and it is the EIGRP route.
Quick Answer
The answer is the EIGRP route, because its administrative distance of 90 is lower than OSPF’s default of 110. When a router learns the same destination from different routing protocols, it always compares administrative distance first—not the metric values. This is a critical distinction: OSPF and EIGRP calculate metrics using completely different formulas, so a direct metric comparison is invalid. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this exact scenario is a classic trap where candidates see the OSPF metric of 20 and mistakenly assume it beats the EIGRP metric of 30720. The router ignores those numbers and trusts the protocol with the lower administrative distance, making EIGRP the active route. To remember this, think “AD before metric” or use the mnemonic “Always Decide by Distance, not Digits”—the lower the AD, the more trustworthy the route, regardless of how small the other protocol’s metric looks.
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.. 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.
A router shows the following routing table entries for the same destination:
O 10.10.50.0/24 [110/20] via 192.168.12.2, GigabitEthernet0/0 D 10.10.50.0/24 [90/30720] via 192.168.13.2, GigabitEthernet0/1
Which route will become the active route in the routing table?
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
The EIGRP route, because its administrative distance is lower
The EIGRP route becomes active because the router compares administrative distance first when the same destination is learned from different routing protocols. This is one of the most common Cisco exam traps: candidates compare the OSPF metric value of 20 to the EIGRP metric value and assume the smaller number must win. That is not how route selection works across different protocols. OSPF metrics and EIGRP metrics are calculated differently, so the router does not compare them directly. Instead it checks administrative distance. EIGRP internal routes default to 90, while OSPF routes default to 110. Since 90 is lower than 110, the EIGRP route is trusted more and is installed as the active path.
Key principle: Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The OSPF route, because its metric is lower
Why it's wrong here
This is the classic wrong answer because the OSPF metric looks smaller. The mistake is treating metric values from different protocols as if they mean the same thing. They do not. The router first compares administrative distance when choosing between route sources such as OSPF and EIGRP, and only then uses metrics within a single protocol's own logic.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where both routes have the same administrative distance, but the OSPF route has a lower metric than the EIGRP route, the question could ask which route would be preferred based on metric alone. In that case, the OSPF route would indeed be the correct answer.
- ✓
The EIGRP route, because its administrative distance is lower
Why this is correct
Correct. This is correct. EIGRP wins here because its default administrative distance of 90 is lower than OSPF's 110, so the router trusts the EIGRP route more when both advertise the same destination prefix.
Related concept
Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.
- ✗
Both routes, because the prefixes are identical
Why it's wrong here
Routers do not automatically install both routes just because the prefix is identical. When the entries come from different routing protocols, the router chooses the source with the best administrative distance first. Only after that, and usually within the same protocol, do equal-cost load-balancing rules come into play.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question where the routing table entries for the same destination were configured to allow for equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing, both routes could be active. For example, if the question specified that the routing protocol supports ECMP, then this option would be correct.
- ✗
Neither route, because the metrics use different scales
Why it's wrong here
It is true that the metrics use different scales, but that does not mean the router rejects both routes. Cisco routers solve that comparison problem by using administrative distance first. In this case they still choose one route, and it is the EIGRP route.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the question specifies that the metrics of the routing protocols are not comparable, such as when using different protocols that do not interact or when metrics are based on different criteria. For example, if the question stated that both routes were from different routing protocols with incompatible metrics, then neither would be selected.
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.
✓The EIGRP route, because its administrative distance is lowerCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. This is correct. EIGRP wins here because its default administrative distance of 90 is lower than OSPF's 110, so the router trusts the EIGRP route more when both advertise the same destination prefix.
✗The OSPF route, because its metric is lowerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because the active route is determined by the administrative distance, not the metric. In this case, the EIGRP route has a lower administrative distance than the OSPF route, making it the active route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where both routes have the same administrative distance, but the OSPF route has a lower metric than the EIGRP route, the question could ask which route would be preferred based on metric alone. In that case, the OSPF route would indeed be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may be tempted by this option due to a common misconception that lower metrics always take precedence, leading them to overlook the importance of administrative distance in route selection.
✗Both routes, because the prefixes are identicalWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because only one route can be active for a given destination in a routing table, and having identical prefixes does not mean both routes can be active simultaneously. The router will select the route with the lower administrative distance, which is not addressed here.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question where the routing table entries for the same destination were configured to allow for equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) routing, both routes could be active. For example, if the question specified that the routing protocol supports ECMP, then this option would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might recall that multiple routes can exist for the same destination, leading to confusion about the conditions under which they can be simultaneously active.
✗Neither route, because the metrics use different scalesWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because both routes are valid, and the router will select the route with the lower administrative distance, not the metric. The administrative distance of the EIGRP route is lower than that of the OSPF route, making it the active route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the question specifies that the metrics of the routing protocols are not comparable, such as when using different protocols that do not interact or when metrics are based on different criteria. For example, if the question stated that both routes were from different routing protocols with incompatible metrics, then neither would be selected.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may find this option tempting because they might confuse the concept of metrics with administrative distance, thinking that different metrics automatically disqualify routes from being active.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Avoid comparing metric values directly between different protocols; focus on administrative distance first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Administrative distance (AD) is a fundamental concept in Cisco routing that determines the trustworthiness of routing information sources. Each routing protocol is assigned a default AD value, which the router uses to select the best path when multiple protocols advertise the same destination. Lower AD values indicate more reliable sources. For example, EIGRP internal routes have an AD of 90, while OSPF routes have an AD of 110. This means EIGRP routes are preferred over OSPF routes when both exist for the same prefix. When a router receives multiple routes to the same destination from different protocols, it first compares their administrative distances. The route with the lowest AD is installed in the routing table as the active route. Only when routes come from the same protocol does the router compare metrics to select the best path. Metrics are protocol-specific and calculated differently; OSPF uses cost based on bandwidth, while EIGRP uses a composite metric including bandwidth and delay. Because these metrics are not comparable across protocols, the router relies on AD to make the initial selection. The exam trap arises when candidates incorrectly compare metrics from different protocols directly, assuming the numerically smaller metric wins. This mistake overlooks the role of administrative distance in cross-protocol route selection. Practically, Cisco routers never compare OSPF and EIGRP metrics directly. Instead, they trust the route with the lower AD, which is why the EIGRP route with AD 90 is preferred over the OSPF route with AD 110, regardless of metric values. Understanding this behavior is essential for accurate routing table interpretation and CCNA exam success.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.
- Administrative distance is a value that rates the trustworthiness of routing information sources, with lower values preferred over higher ones.
- EIGRP internal routes have a default administrative distance of 90, which is lower than OSPF's default administrative distance of 110.
- Metrics from different routing protocols, such as OSPF and EIGRP, use different scales and are not directly comparable when selecting the best route.
- When routes to the same destination come from different protocols, the router first compares administrative distance before considering metrics.
- Routers do not install multiple routes from different protocols for the same prefix unless configured for specific scenarios like route redistribution with equal administrative distance.
- OSPF uses cost as its metric, which is based on bandwidth, while EIGRP uses a composite metric including bandwidth and delay, making direct metric comparison invalid.
- Understanding administrative distance is critical to correctly interpreting routing table entries and predicting which route will be active in Cisco devices.
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
Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
IP Routing — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
IP Routing practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
- →
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
IP Routing practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Network Services and Security practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
AI and Network Operations practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The EIGRP route, because its administrative distance is lower — The EIGRP route becomes active because the router compares administrative distance first when the same destination is learned from different routing protocols. This is one of the most common Cisco exam traps: candidates compare the OSPF metric value of 20 to the EIGRP metric value and assume the smaller number must win. That is not how route selection works across different protocols. OSPF metrics and EIGRP metrics are calculated differently, so the router does not compare them directly. Instead it checks administrative distance. EIGRP internal routes default to 90, while OSPF routes default to 110. Since 90 is lower than 110, the EIGRP route is trusted more and is installed as the active path.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cisco routers select the active route based on administrative distance when multiple routing protocols advertise the same destination prefix.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
4 more ways this is tested on 200-301
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. A router learns the same destination from EIGRP and OSPF. The EIGRP route has a metric of 1000, and the OSPF route has a metric of 10. Which route is installed by default?
hard- A.The OSPF route, because 10 is lower than 1000
- ✓ B.The EIGRP route, because its source has a lower default administrative distance
- C.Both routes automatically install for load balancing
- D.Neither route installs until the administrator chooses manually
Why B: The EIGRP route is installed by default because route selection between different routing protocols is based on administrative distance before the protocol-specific metric is compared across sources. In plain language, the router does not compare an OSPF metric of 10 directly against an EIGRP metric of 1000 because those metrics come from different systems and are not numerically comparable in a meaningful cross-protocol way. Instead, the router first looks at the trustworthiness of the source. By default, internal EIGRP routes have a lower administrative distance than OSPF routes, so EIGRP wins even though the OSPF metric value appears lower. This is a classic CCNA trap designed to catch people who compare metrics across different protocols without considering administrative distance first.
Variation 2. A router learns the same destination prefix from OSPF and EIGRP. The prefix length is identical, and both routes are valid. Which route is preferred by default?
hard- ✓ A.The EIGRP route
- B.The OSPF route
- C.Both routes are installed equally because the prefix length matches
- D.Neither route is used because protocols cannot advertise the same prefix
Why A: The EIGRP route is preferred by default because EIGRP has a lower default administrative distance than OSPF. In practical terms, once the prefix length is the same, the router compares source trust. Lower administrative distance wins. EIGRP’s default of 90 beats OSPF’s default of 110. This is not a longest-prefix question. The prefix is identical, so the decision is about source preference rather than specificity.
Variation 3. A router learns the same destination prefix from OSPF and from a static route configured with administrative distance 90. Which route is preferred by default?
hard- ✓ A.The static route with distance 90
- B.The OSPF route, because dynamic routes always beat static routes
- C.Both routes equally, because the prefix is identical
- D.Neither route, because duplicate information is dropped
Why A: The static route is preferred because its administrative distance of 90 is lower than OSPF’s default administrative distance of 110. In practical terms, when the prefix length is the same, the router compares route-source trust next. The lower administrative distance wins. This question is important because many learners remember that static routes are often strong choices but forget that administrative distance can be tuned. Here, that tuning explicitly makes the static route more preferred than OSPF.
Variation 4. A router has a static route and a RIP route for the same destination prefix. What is the primary reason the static route is preferred over the RIP route?
hard- ✓ A.Because the static route has a lower administrative distance for the same prefix.
- B.Because RIP can never be installed when static routing is configured anywhere.
- C.Because RIP is valid only for host routes.
- D.Because static routes are always more specific than RIP routes.
Why A: The static route is preferred because both routes describe the same destination prefix and the static route has the lower administrative distance. In practical terms, longest-prefix match does not break the tie because the prefixes are equal. The router then compares source trust, and static routing wins over RIP by default. This is a core route-selection concept and a very exam-relevant comparison.
Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.