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Question 1,486 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe HSRP…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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.
Which TWO statements correctly describe HSRP active/standby election, priority, and preempt 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
✓
The router with the highest HSRP priority becomes the active router.
HSRP uses a priority value (1-255, default 100) to elect the active router; higher priority is preferred. Preempt allows a router with a higher priority to take over as active even if another router is already active. Without preempt, the current active router remains active even if a higher priority router appears.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 router with the highest IP address in the standby group becomes the active router.
Why it's wrong here
HSRP election is based on priority, not IP address. The IP address is used as a tiebreaker only when priorities are equal.
- ✓
The router with the highest HSRP priority becomes the active router.
Why this is correct
HSRP election uses priority (1-255, default 100). The router with the highest priority becomes the active router. If priorities are equal, the highest IP address is used as a tiebreaker.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Preempt must be enabled on a router for it to take over as active if it has a higher priority than the current active router.
Why this is correct
Without preempt, the current active router remains active even if a higher priority router appears. Preempt allows a higher priority router to assume the active role immediately.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Preempt is enabled by default on all HSRP routers.
Why it's wrong here
Preempt is disabled by default in HSRP. It must be explicitly configured with the 'standby preempt' command.
- ✓
The 'show standby' command displays the current active and standby routers, priority, and preempt status.
Why this is correct
The 'show standby' command provides detailed HSRP status, including active/standby roles, priority values, and whether preempt is enabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 router with the highest HSRP priority becomes the active router.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
HSRP election uses priority (1-255, default 100). The router with the highest priority becomes the active router. If priorities are equal, the highest IP address is used as a tiebreaker.
✗The router with the highest IP address in the standby group becomes the active router.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This statement incorrectly identifies IP address as the primary election factor; priority is the primary criterion.
✗Preempt is enabled by default on all HSRP routers.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This statement is false because preempt is not enabled by default; it requires manual configuration.
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
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Preempt is disabled by default in HSRP. It must be explicitly configured with the 'standby preempt' command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The router with the highest HSRP priority becomes the active router. — HSRP uses a priority value (1-255, default 100) to elect the active router; higher priority is preferred. Preempt allows a router with a higher priority to take over as active even if another router is already active. Without preempt, the current active router remains active even if a higher priority router appears.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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