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 a given 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.
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?
192.168.0.0/16
Why wrong: This is wrong because the /16 is less specific than the matching /24.
192.168.50.0/24
This is correct because it is the more specific route for the destination.
The default route
Why wrong: This is wrong because a specific matching route exists.
Both routes equally
Why wrong: This is wrong because the more specific route is preferred.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address.
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
This is wrong because the more specific route is preferred.
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
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.
Why this is correct
This is correct because it is the more specific route for the destination.
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.
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.
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?”
Common exam traps
Remember that routers prefer the most specific route, not the broadest. Always look for the longest prefix match.
Detailed technical explanation
Routing decisions in Cisco devices rely on the principle of longest prefix match, where the router selects the route with the most specific subnet mask that matches the destination IP address. This means that among multiple routes that cover the destination IP, the one with the smallest subnet (largest mask length) is preferred. This behavior ensures traffic is forwarded along the most precise path available in the routing table. In this scenario, the router has two routes: 192.168.0.0/16 and 192.168.50.0/24. Both routes include the destination IP 192.168.50.99, but the /24 route is more specific because it covers a smaller range of IP addresses. Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to choose 192.168.50.0/24 over 192.168.0.0/16, ensuring traffic is routed optimally. A common exam trap is assuming that the broader route (192.168.0.0/16) would be used simply because it appears first or is more general. However, Cisco routing always prefers the most specific route. Practically, this means that even if a less specific route exists, it will be ignored for matching destinations if a more specific route is present. Understanding this behavior is critical for subnetting and routing questions on the CCNA exam.
Key takeaway
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address..
The correct answer is: 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.
Review cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address., then practise related 200-301 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Cisco routers use the longest prefix match rule to select the most specific route for a given destination IP address.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 2026
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