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 use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.. 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
O 192.168.10.0/24 [110/20] via 192.0.2.2
S 192.168.10.128/25 [1/0] via 192.0.2.6
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 198.51.100.1
Destination being tested: 192.168.10.130
Based on the exhibit, which route will be used for destination 192.168.10.130?
R1# show ip route
O 192.168.10.0/24 [110/20] via 192.0.2.2
S 192.168.10.128/25 [1/0] via 192.0.2.6
S* 0.0.0.0/0 [1/0] via 198.51.100.1
Destination being tested: 192.168.10.130
A
The static route to 192.168.10.128/25
This is correct because 192.168.10.130 is inside the more specific /25 prefix.
B
The OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24
Why wrong: This is wrong because the /24 is less specific than the /25.
C
The default route
Why wrong: This is wrong because a more specific route exists.
D
No route at all
Why wrong: This is wrong because the destination clearly matches multiple routes shown.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The static route to 192.168.10.128/25
The route used will be the one with the longest matching prefix. In practical terms, 192.168.10.130 matches both the /24 and the /25 prefixes shown, but the /25 is more specific. Because longest-prefix match comes first, the router uses the /25 route even though other matching routes are present.
This is a clean route-table interpretation question that is very close to real exam reasoning.
Key principle: Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.
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 static route to 192.168.10.128/25
Why this is correct
This is correct because 192.168.10.130 is inside the more specific /25 prefix.
Related concept
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.
✗
The OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the /24 is less specific than the /25.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question asked which route would be used if the static route to 192.168.10.128/25 was down or unavailable, then the OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24 would be the correct answer as it would be the next best match for routing the destination.
✗
The default route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a more specific route exists.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question stated that there were no specific routes configured for the destination 192.168.10.130 and only a default route was available, then the correct answer would be the default route. For example, 'What route will be used for destination 192.168.10.130 if only a default route exists?'
✗
No route at all
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the destination clearly matches multiple routes shown.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the routing table is empty or all routes have been removed, a question could ask if there is a route to 192.168.10.130. In that case, the correct answer would be 'No route at all' as there would be no available paths to the destination.
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 static route to 192.168.10.128/25Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because 192.168.10.130 is inside the more specific /25 prefix.
✗The OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24 has a prefix length of /24, which is less specific than the /25 static route. Since 192.168.10.130 is within the /25 range, the router will choose the longer prefix match (/25) over the shorter one (/24).
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question asked which route would be used if the static route to 192.168.10.128/25 was down or unavailable, then the OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24 would be the correct answer as it would be the next best match for routing the destination.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that OSPF, as a dynamic routing protocol, is preferred over static routes, or they may forget that prefix length is the primary tiebreaker, not the routing protocol source.
✗The default routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A default route (0.0.0.0/0) is the least specific route and is only used when no other more specific route matches the destination. Since a more specific route (the /25) exists for 192.168.10.130, the default route is not used.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question stated that there were no specific routes configured for the destination 192.168.10.130 and only a default route was available, then the correct answer would be the default route. For example, 'What route will be used for destination 192.168.10.130 if only a default route exists?'
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers might assume that a default route is always used as a last resort, but they overlook that a more specific matching route takes precedence regardless of administrative distance or metric.
✗No route at allWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The destination 192.168.10.130 clearly matches the static route to 192.168.10.128/25, so a route exists. The router will use that route to forward the packet.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the routing table is empty or all routes have been removed, a question could ask if there is a route to 192.168.10.130. In that case, the correct answer would be 'No route at all' as there would be no available paths to the destination.
Why candidates choose this
Students might incorrectly think that if a destination is not an exact match for any network address, no route exists. However, 192.168.10.130 is within the 192.168.10.128/25 subnet, so it is a match.
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
A common exam trap is to select the OSPF route to 192.168.10.0/24 because it appears as a valid route to the destination. Candidates may mistakenly believe that dynamic routing protocols override static routes or that the broader /24 subnet is sufficient. However, the router always prefers the longest prefix match, which is the /25 static route in this case. Another trap is assuming the default route will be used when multiple routes exist, but default routes only apply when no specific routes match the destination. Misunderstanding these routing principles leads to incorrect answers.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This is wrong because the destination clearly matches multiple routes shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Routing decisions in Cisco devices rely heavily on the concept of longest prefix match, where the router selects the route with the most specific subnet mask that matches the destination IP address. In this question, the destination IP 192.168.10.130 falls within both the 192.168.10.0/24 and 192.168.10.128/25 networks. The /25 subnet mask (255.255.255.128) is more specific than the /24 (255.255.255.0), meaning it covers a smaller range of IP addresses and thus provides a more precise route.
When multiple routes match a destination, Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to determine which route to install in the routing table and use for forwarding packets. Even if a less specific route like 192.168.10.0/24 is learned via OSPF, the router will prefer the static route to 192.168.10.128/25 because static routes typically have a lower administrative distance and the prefix is longer, making it the best match.
The exam trap here is assuming that dynamic routing protocols like OSPF always take precedence or that the default route will be used if multiple routes exist. In reality, the router always prefers the most specific route regardless of the routing protocol, and default routes are only used when no more specific routes exist. This behavior ensures efficient and accurate packet forwarding in complex networks.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.
A route with a longer subnet mask (higher prefix length) is preferred over routes with shorter subnet masks when multiple matches exist.
Static routes generally have a lower administrative distance than dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, making them preferred if prefix lengths are equal.
Dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF advertise routes with less specific prefixes but do not override more specific static routes.
Default routes are only used when no other more specific routes exist in the routing table for the destination IP address.
The router installs the route with the longest matching prefix in the routing table and uses it for packet forwarding.
Misinterpreting routing precedence or ignoring prefix length leads to common exam mistakes in route selection questions.
Understanding subnetting and prefix lengths is critical for correctly determining which route a Cisco router will use.
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 use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 200-301 question in full detail.
Review cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The static route to 192.168.10.128/25 — The route used will be the one with the longest matching prefix. In practical terms, 192.168.10.130 matches both the /24 and the /25 prefixes shown, but the /25 is more specific. Because longest-prefix match comes first, the router uses the /25 route even though other matching routes are present.
This is a clean route-table interpretation question that is very close to real exam reasoning.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for forwarding packets to a destination IP address.
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