CCNA REST API HTTP methods Practice Question
Which HTTP method is normally used by a REST API client to retrieve data from a resource without changing it?
⚠ Common exam trap
Confusing HTTP methods can lead to selecting POST or PUT when the question specifically asks for retrieving data without modification. POST is often associated with creating resources, and PUT with updating them. Selecting DELETE is clearly incorrect as it removes resources. The trap is to overlook that GET is the only method designed to safely retrieve data without side effects, which is critical in REST API operations relevant to network programmability.
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
✓
GET
GET requests read a resource. They are used to retrieve state or information without modifying the target object.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
POST
Why it's wrong here
POST typically sends data to the server to create a new subordinate resource or trigger processing, often resulting in a new URI and a non-idempotent side effect. It is not a retrieval method because the server responds with a status and possibly a resource reference rather than simply returning the existing resource representation. Therefore, a REST client uses POST to submit data, not to read it.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question asking which HTTP method is used to submit data to a server for processing, such as creating a new user account or submitting a form, POST would be the correct answer.
- ✗
PUT
Why it's wrong here
PUT is designed to replace or fully update an existing resource at a specific URI, not to retrieve information about it. When a client sends PUT, the payload represents the desired new state of the resource, and the server applies it. Since PUT changes the representation on the server, it is not a read operation, making it inappropriate for fetching a resource.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question asking which HTTP method is used to update an existing resource on a server, the correct answer would be PUT. For example, a question could state, 'Which HTTP method is used to send data to a server to update an existing resource?'
- ✓
GET
Why this is correct
The GET method is the correct choice because it is specifically defined for retrieving the current representation of a resource identified by a URI. It is a safe and idempotent method, meaning it causes no side effects on the server and multiple identical requests return the same result. A RESTful API client uses GET to read resource state, such as fetching a JSON document.
- ✗
DELETE
Why it's wrong here
DELETE is used to remove a specified resource from the server, which is the opposite of retrieval. It causes a side effect by permanently deleting the resource's state, and it is neither safe nor intended for reading data. A REST client would never use DELETE when the goal is simply to obtain information about a resource.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were to ask which HTTP method is used to remove a resource from a REST API, then DELETE would be the correct answer. For example, a question might state, 'Which HTTP method is used to delete a specific resource identified by a URI?'
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.
✓GETCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The GET method is the correct choice because it is specifically defined for retrieving the current representation of a resource identified by a URI. It is a safe and idempotent method, meaning it causes no side effects on the server and multiple identical requests return the same result. A RESTful API client uses GET to read resource state, such as fetching a JSON document.
✗POSTWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
POST is used to create a new resource or submit data to be processed, which typically changes the server state. It is not idempotent and should not be used for read-only operations.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question asking which HTTP method is used to submit data to a server for processing, such as creating a new user account or submitting a form, POST would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Students may confuse POST with GET because both can send data to the server, but POST is intended for state-changing operations, not retrieval.
✗PUTWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
PUT is used to update or replace an existing resource, which modifies the server state. It is idempotent but not intended for read-only retrieval.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question asking which HTTP method is used to update an existing resource on a server, the correct answer would be PUT. For example, a question could state, 'Which HTTP method is used to send data to a server to update an existing resource?'
Why candidates choose this
Students might think PUT can retrieve data because it is often used in CRUD operations alongside GET, but its purpose is to update, not retrieve.
✗DELETEWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
DELETE is used to remove a resource from the server, which is a state-changing operation. It is not suitable for retrieving data.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were to ask which HTTP method is used to remove a resource from a REST API, then DELETE would be the correct answer. For example, a question might state, 'Which HTTP method is used to delete a specific resource identified by a URI?'
Why candidates choose this
Students might mistakenly associate DELETE with retrieval due to its role in CRUD, but it is exclusively for deletion.
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
REST API
A REST API is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other over the internet using standard HTTP methods.
Key term
HTTP
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, the set of rules web browsers and servers use to communicate and transfer web pages over the internet.
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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.