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: administrative distance. 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.
Exhibit
R1# show ip route
S 10.90.0.0/16 [1/0] via 192.0.2.2
R 10.90.0.0/16 [120/1] via 192.0.2.6
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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Because the static route has a lower administrative distance for the same prefix.
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.
Because RIP can never be installed when static routing is configured anywhere.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because RIP routes can still exist in the table.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different exam scenario where the question specifies a network configuration that prohibits the use of RIP when static routes are present, this option could be correct. For example, if the question states that a router is configured to only allow static routing for security reasons, then this statement would apply.
✗
Because RIP is valid only for host routes.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because RIP can carry broader network routes such as /16s.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question that asks about the limitations of RIP in a network where only host routes are allowed, this option could be correct if it specifies that RIP is only applicable for host routes and not for network routes. For example, if the question states that only host routes are being considered, then this option would be valid.
✗
Because static routes are always more specific than RIP routes.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because specificity depends on prefix length, not route source.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question context where the focus is on comparing routing protocols and their characteristics, if asked whether static routes are always more specific than dynamic protocols like RIP, this option could be correct if the question specifies a scenario where static routes are configured with specific subnet masks that exceed the specificity of RIP routes.
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.
✓Because the static route has a lower administrative distance for the same prefix.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because both routes are /16, so source preference is decisive and static wins.
✗Because RIP can never be installed when static routing is configured anywhere.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because RIP can coexist with static routes in a routing table; static routes do not prevent RIP routes from being installed. Both routing protocols can be used simultaneously, and the routing decision is based on administrative distance.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different exam scenario where the question specifies a network configuration that prohibits the use of RIP when static routes are present, this option could be correct. For example, if the question states that a router is configured to only allow static routing for security reasons, then this statement would apply.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of routing protocols, believing that static routes inherently disable dynamic protocols like RIP, which is a common misconception among those less familiar with routing behavior.
✗Because RIP is valid only for host routes.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is incorrect because RIP can coexist with static routes in a routing table; static routes do not prevent RIP routes from being installed. Both routing protocols can be used simultaneously in a network.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question that asks about the limitations of RIP in a network where only host routes are allowed, this option could be correct if it specifies that RIP is only applicable for host routes and not for network routes. For example, if the question states that only host routes are being considered, then this option would be valid.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose this option due to a misunderstanding of RIP's capabilities, mistakenly believing that static routes inherently disable other routing protocols, leading to confusion about how routing protocols can operate together.
✗Because static routes are always more specific than RIP routes.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This option is wrong because static routes are not inherently more specific than RIP routes; both can have varying levels of specificity depending on the configuration. The preference of static routes over RIP is determined by administrative distance, not specificity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question context where the focus is on comparing routing protocols and their characteristics, if asked whether static routes are always more specific than dynamic protocols like RIP, this option could be correct if the question specifies a scenario where static routes are configured with specific subnet masks that exceed the specificity of RIP routes.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might choose this option due to a misunderstanding of routing protocols, believing that static routes, being manually configured, are always more precise than dynamically learned routes like those from RIP.
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
Do not confuse administrative distance with metrics or prefix length; administrative distance is the deciding factor here.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco routing, when a router learns multiple routes to the same destination prefix, it uses administrative distance (AD) as the primary criterion to select the best route. Administrative distance is a trustworthiness value assigned to routing protocols and static routes; lower values indicate more trusted sources. Static routes have an AD of 1 by default, making them more preferred than RIP routes, which have an AD of 120. Even if both routes have the same prefix length (e.g., /16), the router will choose the static route because it is considered more reliable. Metrics such as hop count in RIP are secondary and only used when comparing routes from the same protocol. This behavior ensures that manually configured static routes override dynamic routes like RIP, providing network administrators control over routing decisions. Understanding this hierarchy is critical for troubleshooting and designing Cisco networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
administrative distance
static routing
RIP routing protocol
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
administrative distance
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — administrative distance.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Because the static route has a lower administrative distance for the same prefix. — 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.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review administrative distance, then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
administrative distance
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