Question 1mediummulti select
Review the full routing breakdown →Question 408 of 1,819
Quick Answer
The correct answer includes that if two routes have the same prefix length and metric, load balancing can occur across both. This is because the routing table uses a three-step selection process: longest prefix match first, then lowest administrative distance, and finally lowest metric—and only when all three are equal does the router install multiple paths for equal-cost load balancing. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how a router chooses between overlapping routes, with a common trap being that administrative distance is checked before metric, not after. Remember that a directly connected route has an administrative distance of 0, making it the most trusted, while the longest prefix match always wins over a less specific route regardless of metric. A useful memory tip is "LAM" for Longest match, Administrative distance, then Metric—the order of route selection.
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. 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 three statements about the routing table and route selection are correct? (Choose three.)
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 route with the longest prefix match is always preferred when multiple routes match the destination IP.
The route with the longest prefix match is always preferred because it is the most specific route to the destination IP. A directly connected route has an administrative distance of 0 by default, making it the most trusted route source. If two routes have the same prefix length, administrative distance, and metric, equal-cost load balancing can occur, distributing traffic over multiple paths.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between administrative distance and metric, and the trap here is that candidates might think load balancing requires different metrics or that directly connected routes have an AD other than 0.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The longest prefix match rule ensures that the most specific route in the routing table is used, which is fundamental to IP routing. Administrative distance (AD) values are Cisco-specific; for example, directly connected routes have an AD of 0, static routes default to 1, and OSPF to 110. Load balancing occurs when multiple routes have equal metric and prefix length, and Cisco routers can perform per-packet or per-destination load balancing depending on the switching mode.
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 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.
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 route with the longest prefix match is always preferred when multiple routes match the destination IP. — The route with the longest prefix match is always preferred because it is the most specific route to the destination IP. A directly connected route has an administrative distance of 0 by default, making it the most trusted route source. If two routes have the same prefix length, administrative distance, and metric, equal-cost load balancing can occur, distributing traffic over multiple paths.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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