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CCNA Switching and Network Access Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of switching and network access. 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 of the following are functions of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in a switched network? (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
✓
STP prevents loops by placing redundant ports into a blocking state, leaving only one active path between any two network segments.
STP prevents loops by placing redundant ports into a blocking state, ensuring only one active logical path exists between any two network segments (option A). It elects a root bridge based on the lowest bridge ID (priority + MAC address) to serve as the reference for all path calculations (option B). STP uses Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to exchange topology information between switches (option D). Option C is false because only one port per non-root bridge becomes the root port; the others are designated or alternate/blocking ports. Option E is false because STP does not load-balance; it blocks redundant links to prevent loops, and load-balancing requires techniques like EtherChannel or Multiple Spanning Tree. Option F is false because after Max Age expires, a port transitions from blocking to listening, then learning, and finally forwarding (each with its own timer); it does not transition immediately to forwarding.
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 misconception that STP makes all ports on a non-root bridge become root ports, when in fact only one port per bridge is elected as the root port, and the rest become designated or alternate/blocking ports.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
STP uses the Bridge Protocol Data Unit (BPDU) exchange to elect a root bridge, with the bridge ID comprising a 2-byte priority (default 32768) and a 6-byte MAC address. The root bridge has all its ports in designated (forwarding) state, while non-root bridges select a single root port based on the lowest root path cost. In a real-world scenario, misconfigured bridge priorities can cause suboptimal root bridge placement, leading to inefficient traffic flows.
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 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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Switching and Network Access — This question tests Switching and Network Access — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: STP prevents loops by placing redundant ports into a blocking state, leaving only one active path between any two network segments. — STP prevents loops by placing redundant ports into a blocking state, ensuring only one active logical path exists between any two network segments (option A). It elects a root bridge based on the lowest bridge ID (priority + MAC address) to serve as the reference for all path calculations (option B). STP uses Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to exchange topology information between switches (option D). Option C is false because only one port per non-root bridge becomes the root port; the others are designated or alternate/blocking ports. Option E is false because STP does not load-balance; it blocks redundant links to prevent loops, and load-balancing requires techniques like EtherChannel or Multiple Spanning Tree. Option F is false because after Max Age expires, a port transitions from blocking to listening, then learning, and finally forwarding (each with its own timer); it does not transition immediately to forwarding.
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
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.
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