CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
A router has routes to 192.168.0.0/16 and 192.168.50.0/24. Which route is used for traffic to 192.168.50.99?
⚠ Common exam trap
Remember that routers prefer the most specific route, not the broadest. Always look for the longest prefix match.
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
✓
192.168.50.0/24
The 192.168.50.0/24 route is used because it is more specific. In practical terms, even though the /16 also matches, the router always prefers the route that describes the destination more narrowly. Since 192.168.50.99 falls inside the /24, longest-prefix match chooses that entry. This is a basic but essential routing rule. The broader /16 still matters for other destinations in 192.168.0.0/16, but not for this one.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
192.168.0.0/16
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the /16 is less specific than the matching /24.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the router has only the route 192.168.0.0/16 and no more specific routes for 192.168.50.0/24, traffic to 192.168.50.99 would use the 192.168.0.0/16 route, making this option correct.
- ✓
192.168.50.0/24
Why this is correct
This is correct because it is the more specific route for the destination.
- ✗
The default route
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because a specific matching route exists.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the router only has a default route configured and no specific routes for the 192.168.50.0/24 network, a question asking which route would be used for traffic to 192.168.50.99 would correctly identify the default route as the answer.
- ✗
Both routes equally
Why it's wrong here
A router always selects the single route with the longest prefix match, so 192.168.50.0/24 (24-bit mask) is chosen over 192.168.0.0/16 (16-bit mask) for destination 192.168.50.99. This option is tempting because it confuses equal-cost multipath load balancing, where two routes to the *same* prefix are used equally, with routes to different prefix lengths, which are never compared equally.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both routes had equal administrative distances and were configured in a way that allowed for load balancing, then both routes could be used simultaneously for traffic to 192.168.50.99, making this option 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.
✓192.168.50.0/24Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because it is the more specific route for the destination.
✗192.168.0.0/16Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The route 192.168.0.0/16 is less specific (larger subnet) than the matching /24 route. In longest prefix match routing, the more specific route (192.168.50.0/24) is always preferred for the destination 192.168.50.99.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the router has only the route 192.168.0.0/16 and no more specific routes for 192.168.50.0/24, traffic to 192.168.50.99 would use the 192.168.0.0/16 route, making this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students may think that because 192.168.50.99 falls within the 192.168.0.0/16 range, this route would be used. However, they overlook the principle of longest prefix match, which prioritizes the route with the longer subnet mask.
✗The default routeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A default route (0.0.0.0/0) is only used when no more specific route matches the destination. Since both 192.168.0.0/16 and 192.168.50.0/24 match 192.168.50.99, the default route is not considered.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the router only has a default route configured and no specific routes for the 192.168.50.0/24 network, a question asking which route would be used for traffic to 192.168.50.99 would correctly identify the default route as the answer.
Why candidates choose this
Students might think that if a default route exists, it could be used as a catch-all. However, the default route has the lowest priority and is only used when no other matching route exists.
✗Both routes equallyWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Routers do not load balance between routes of different prefix lengths for the same destination. The longest prefix match rule selects a single best route. Both routes are not used equally; the /24 route is chosen.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario, if the question stated that both routes had equal administrative distances and were configured in a way that allowed for load balancing, then both routes could be used simultaneously for traffic to 192.168.50.99, making this option correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse this with equal-cost multipath (ECMP) where multiple routes with the same prefix length and metric are used. Here, the prefix lengths differ, so ECMP does not apply.
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?”
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Key term
Router
A router is a networking device that connects different networks together and directs data traffic between them by choosing the best path for data to travel.
Key term
Route
A route is a path that data takes through a network from one device or network to another, determined by routing protocols and configured rules.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.