- A
The router with the highest priority becomes the active router.
HSRP uses a priority value (0–255, default 100) to determine the active router; the highest priority wins.
- B
The router with the lowest IP address in the standby group becomes the active router.
Why wrong: HSRP does not use IP address to elect the active router; priority is the primary determinant, followed by highest IP address as a tiebreaker.
- C
HSRP priority can be configured from 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest.
Why wrong: HSRP priority range is 0–255, with 100 as the default.
- D
Preemption is enabled by default on all HSRP interfaces.
Why wrong: Preemption is disabled by default in HSRP; it must be explicitly configured with the 'standby preempt' command.
- E
If preemption is enabled, a router with a higher priority can take over the active role from a router with a lower priority that is already active.
Preemption allows a higher-priority router to become active immediately, overriding the current active router.
- F
The standby router uses a priority of 0 to indicate it will never become active.
Why wrong: Priority 0 is used to indicate that the router should not become active (e.g., during a shutdown), but it is not the default standby role.
HSRP Active/Standby Election and Preemption
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ip routing. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 are true regarding HSRP active/standby election, priority, and preemption?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that with preemption enabled, a higher-priority router can take over the active role from a lower-priority active router. This works because HSRP uses a priority-based election mechanism where the router with the highest priority in the standby group is elected as the active router, and preemption allows that election to be re-evaluated dynamically when a superior router comes online. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of First Hop Redundancy Protocol behavior, often appearing in questions that mix priority values, IP address tiebreakers, and default preemption settings—a common trap is assuming preemption is enabled by default or that a lower IP address breaks a tie. Remember that priority ranges from 0 to 255, not 0 to 100, and that a priority of 0 forces the router to abdicate the active role. A useful memory tip: “Preempt to take the top spot, highest priority wins the lot.”
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 priority becomes the active router.
In HSRP, the router with the highest priority wins the election to become the active router (A correct). If preemption is enabled, a router with a higher priority can take over the active role from a lower-priority active router (E correct). Option B is incorrect: when priorities are equal, the router with the highest IP address in the standby group is chosen, not the lowest. Option C is incorrect: HSRP priority ranges from 0 to 255, not 0 to 100. Option D is incorrect: preemption is disabled by default on all HSRP interfaces. Option F is incorrect: a priority of 0 is used to indicate that the router will not participate in the election or will immediately give up the active role, but it does not mean it will never become active; in fact, it can be configured to force a new election.
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 priority becomes the active router.
Why this is correct
HSRP uses a priority value (0–255, default 100) to determine the active router; the highest priority wins.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The router with the lowest IP address in the standby group becomes the active router.
Why it's wrong here
HSRP does not use IP address to elect the active router; priority is the primary determinant, followed by highest IP address as a tiebreaker.
- ✗
HSRP priority can be configured from 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest.
Why it's wrong here
HSRP priority range is 0–255, with 100 as the default.
- ✗
Preemption is enabled by default on all HSRP interfaces.
Why it's wrong here
Preemption is disabled by default in HSRP; it must be explicitly configured with the 'standby preempt' command.
- ✓
If preemption is enabled, a router with a higher priority can take over the active role from a router with a lower priority that is already active.
Why this is correct
Preemption allows a higher-priority router to become active immediately, overriding the current active router.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The standby router uses a priority of 0 to indicate it will never become active.
Why it's wrong here
Priority 0 is used to indicate that the router should not become active (e.g., during a shutdown), but it is not the default standby role.
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 priority becomes the active router.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
HSRP uses a priority value (0–255, default 100) to determine the active router; the highest priority wins.
✗The router with the lowest IP address in the standby group becomes the active router.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This describes a different mechanism (e.g., VRRP uses IP address as a tiebreaker only after priority).
✗HSRP priority can be configured from 0 to 100, with 100 being the highest.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The range is 0–255, not 0–100.
✗Preemption is enabled by default on all HSRP interfaces.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Preemption is not a default behavior.
✗The standby router uses a priority of 0 to indicate it will never become active.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Priority 0 is a special value, not the normal standby priority.
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
Cisco often tests the exact priority range (0–255) and the tiebreaker rule (highest IP, not lowest), leading candidates to confuse HSRP with VRRP or GLBP, or to misremember the priority scale.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Preemption 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
HSRP priority can be manually set (e.g., 'standby 1 priority 150') to influence which router becomes active. Preemption (enabled with 'standby 1 preempt') allows a higher-priority router to take over as active even after the election has settled, which is critical for planned maintenance or recovery scenarios. Without preemption, the active router remains active until it fails, regardless of priority changes.
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.
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
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — 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 priority becomes the active router. — In HSRP, the router with the highest priority wins the election to become the active router (A correct). If preemption is enabled, a router with a higher priority can take over the active role from a lower-priority active router (E correct). Option B is incorrect: when priorities are equal, the router with the highest IP address in the standby group is chosen, not the lowest. Option C is incorrect: HSRP priority ranges from 0 to 255, not 0 to 100. Option D is incorrect: preemption is disabled by default on all HSRP interfaces. Option F is incorrect: a priority of 0 is used to indicate that the router will not participate in the election or will immediately give up the active role, but it does not mean it will never become active; in fact, it can be configured to force a new election.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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