CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A router has an OSPF-learned route to a destination prefix and also a directly connected route to a broader supernet that includes that destination. The OSPF route is more specific. Which route is used for the destination?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common exam trap is assuming that directly connected routes always take precedence over OSPF routes because they have a lower administrative distance. Candidates may incorrectly select the broader directly connected route, forgetting that routers first apply longest prefix match before considering administrative distance. This leads to the mistaken belief that a less specific connected route overrides a more specific OSPF route. The trap is confusing route source preference with prefix specificity, which can cause incorrect answers on routing questions involving multiple route sources.
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 more specific OSPF route
The more specific OSPF route is used. In practical terms, route specificity is checked before broader route-source considerations when the prefixes are different. Even though the connected route is a directly attached source and often strongly trusted, it still loses if it is less specific than another matching route. This is a subtle route-selection question because it combines source type and specificity. The key is that longest-prefix match comes first.
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 more specific OSPF route
Why this is correct
This is correct because the most specific matching prefix is preferred first.
- ✗
The directly connected broader route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a less specific connected route does not beat a more specific match.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the OSPF route is down or not available, and the question asks which route would be used for the destination, the directly connected broader route would then be the correct answer as it would be the only available route.
- ✗
Both routes equally
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the more specific route is selected.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question where both routes are equally preferred due to equal administrative distances or when using a routing policy that allows for load balancing, the exam could state that both routes are valid and can be used simultaneously for the destination prefix.
- ✗
Neither route can be used because the sources differ
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because routers can compare different sources and still choose the best matching route.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both routes were from different routing protocols and the router was configured to not use OSPF routes due to administrative distance settings, then this option could be correct, indicating that neither route would be used.
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 more specific OSPF routeCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the most specific matching prefix is preferred first.
✗The directly connected broader routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The directly connected broader route is less specific (shorter prefix length) than the OSPF route. According to the longest prefix match rule, the more specific route is always preferred, regardless of administrative distance or routing protocol source.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the OSPF route is down or not available, and the question asks which route would be used for the destination, the directly connected broader route would then be the correct answer as it would be the only available route.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that directly connected routes have a lower administrative distance (0) than OSPF (110), so they would be preferred. However, prefix length takes precedence over administrative distance in the route selection process.
✗Both routes equallyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A router cannot use two routes for the same destination simultaneously; it selects a single best route based on the longest prefix match. Equal-cost multipath (ECMP) only applies when multiple routes have the same prefix length and metric, which is not the case here.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question where both routes are equally preferred due to equal administrative distances or when using a routing policy that allows for load balancing, the exam could state that both routes are valid and can be used simultaneously for the destination prefix.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse this scenario with ECMP, where multiple routes to the same destination are used for load balancing. However, ECMP requires identical prefix lengths and metrics, not different prefix lengths.
✗Neither route can be used because the sources differWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Routers can compare routes from different sources (e.g., connected, static, OSPF) and select the best one based on prefix length, administrative distance, and metric. The source difference does not prevent route selection; the longest prefix match is applied first.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both routes were from different routing protocols and the router was configured to not use OSPF routes due to administrative distance settings, then this option could be correct, indicating that neither route would be used.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that routes from different sources are incomparable or that administrative distance alone determines the winner. However, prefix length is the primary factor, and different sources are compared normally.
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
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
OSPFv3 Single-Area Configuration for IPv6
Key term
OSPF
OSPF is a link-state routing protocol that uses the SPF algorithm to compute the shortest path to each destination within a single autonomous system.
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.