The answer is the path with the lower OSPF metric is preferred because OSPF path selection is governed by cost, which is derived from interface bandwidth. When two OSPF routes share the same prefix length and administrative distance, the router ignores AD and relies solely on the routing protocol’s internal metric; for OSPF, that metric is cost, and the lowest cost path wins. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding that metric comparison only matters within the same routing protocol—a common trap is assuming AD always decides, but here the source is identical, so OSPF’s own logic takes over. Remember that OSPF’s metric is cumulative hop-by-hop cost, not hop count. A handy memory tip: “Same source, same AD? Let the lowest cost lead the way.”
CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
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: oSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.. 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.
A route to 10.10.10.0/24 is learned through two OSPF paths. Both have the same prefix length and the same administrative distance, but one path has a lower OSPF metric. Which path is preferred?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The path with the lower OSPF metric
The path with the lower OSPFmetric is preferred. In practical terms, when the prefix and route source are the same, the router uses the routing protocol’s internal path-selection logic. For OSPF, the lower metric is the more attractive path.
This is a clean example of metric-based selection within one routing protocol. Administrative distance is not the deciding factor here because the source protocol is the same on both paths.
Key principle: OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.
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 path with the lower OSPF metric
Why this is correct
This is correct because within the same protocol and prefix, the lower metric is preferred.
Related concept
OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.
✗
The path with the higher OSPF metric
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because higher metric means a less preferred path.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if the context specified that the routing protocol was using a different metric system where a higher metric indicated a better path (such as a custom metric configuration), then this option could be correct. For example, a question might state that a specific implementation of OSPF has been modified to prioritize higher metrics for certain traffic types.
✗
Both paths equally, because the administrative distance is the same
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because equal administrative distance does not mean both paths are used when metrics differ.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where a routing protocol allows for equal-cost multipath routing and treats multiple paths with the same metric and administrative distance as equally valid, this option would be correct. For example, if the question specified that the routing protocol supports load balancing, then both paths could be considered equally preferred.
✗
Neither path, because two OSPF routes to the same prefix are invalid
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because OSPF can learn the same prefix via multiple paths and selects the best one.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question where it states that OSPF does not support multiple equal-cost paths for a specific configuration or that the routing table has a restriction preventing multiple entries for the same prefix, this option could be correct.
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 path with the lower OSPF metricCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because within the same protocol and prefix, the lower metric is preferred.
✗The path with the higher OSPF metricWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A higher OSPF metric indicates a less desirable path, as OSPF uses cost as its metric where lower cost is preferred. Selecting a higher metric path would contradict the fundamental routing principle of choosing the best path based on lowest metric.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if the context specified that the routing protocol was using a different metric system where a higher metric indicated a better path (such as a custom metric configuration), then this option could be correct. For example, a question might state that a specific implementation of OSPF has been modified to prioritize higher metrics for certain traffic types.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse metric with other attributes like administrative distance or think that a higher metric indicates a more reliable path, but in OSPF, higher cost means less preferred.
✗Both paths equally, because the administrative distance is the sameWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Equal administrative distance does not imply equal preference when metrics differ. The router compares metrics within the same routing protocol; if metrics are different, the lower metric path is chosen, not both.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where a routing protocol allows for equal-cost multipath routing and treats multiple paths with the same metric and administrative distance as equally valid, this option would be correct. For example, if the question specified that the routing protocol supports load balancing, then both paths could be considered equally preferred.
Why candidates choose this
Test-takers may mistakenly believe that equal administrative distance automatically leads to load balancing, but load balancing requires equal metrics, not just equal AD.
✗Neither path, because two OSPF routes to the same prefix are invalidWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
OSPF can learn the same prefix via multiple paths; this is normal. The router selects the best path based on metric, and the other paths are kept in the routing table as backup or for equal-cost load balancing if metrics are equal.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question where it states that OSPF does not support multiple equal-cost paths for a specific configuration or that the routing table has a restriction preventing multiple entries for the same prefix, this option could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Some students might think that duplicate routes cause errors, but OSPF handles multiple paths gracefully and selects the best one.
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
Remember, administrative distance only matters when comparing different routing protocols, not when choosing between paths within the same protocol.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state routing protocol that calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative cost, known as the OSPF metric. This metric is derived from interface bandwidths along the path, making it a dynamic and scalable method for path selection within an OSPF area. When multiple routes to the same prefix exist, OSPF uses this metric to determine the most efficient route.
In OSPF, when two routes to the same destination prefix have the same administrative distance (which is 110 by default for OSPF) and identical prefix lengths, the router compares the OSPF metrics to choose the preferred path. The route with the lower OSPF metric is installed in the routing table because it represents the least-cost path. Administrative distance is only used to compare routes from different routing protocols, so it does not influence the decision between two OSPF-learned routes.
A common exam trap is to confuse administrative distance with OSPF metric when selecting the best path within OSPF. Since both routes share the same administrative distance, the router does not consider it for tie-breaking. Instead, it relies solely on the OSPF metric. Practically, OSPF can maintain multiple routes to the same prefix if they have equal metrics, but when metrics differ, only the lowest metric route is preferred and installed in the routing table, ensuring optimal path selection.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.
When multiple OSPF routes to the same prefix exist with equal administrative distance, the router prefers the route with the lower OSPF metric.
Administrative distance is used to compare routes from different routing protocols, not to select between multiple OSPF-learned routes.
OSPF installs only the route with the lowest metric in the routing table when multiple paths to the same prefix differ in cost.
If multiple OSPF routes have the same metric and prefix length, OSPF can perform equal-cost load balancing by installing multiple paths.
The OSPF metric is calculated based on interface bandwidth, making lower bandwidth links have higher cost and less preferred.
OSPF’s path selection process ensures efficient routing by always choosing the least-cost path within the same routing protocol.
Confusing administrative distance with OSPF metric can lead to incorrect route preference decisions in Cisco routing exams.
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
OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.
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 oSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The path with the lower OSPF metric — The path with the lower OSPF metric is preferred. In practical terms, when the prefix and route source are the same, the router uses the routing protocol’s internal path-selection logic. For OSPF, the lower metric is the more attractive path.
This is a clean example of metric-based selection within one routing protocol. Administrative distance is not the deciding factor here because the source protocol is the same on both paths.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Review oSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF calculates the best path to a destination based on the lowest cumulative metric, which reflects the cost of traversing interfaces along the route.
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