Quick Answer
The answer is that the routing table lookup process on a Cisco router uses the longest prefix match to select the most specific route, relies on a default route only when no other match exists, and automatically installs directly connected routes when the interface is up/up. This is correct because the router evaluates all entries in the routing table against the destination IP, choosing the route with the longest subnet mask as the most precise match; if no match is found, it falls back to the default route, and directly connected networks are added automatically once the interface is configured with an IP address and reaches the up/up state. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how routers make forwarding decisions, often appearing in multiple-choice questions that include traps like claiming the router uses the lowest metric first or that a default route is preferred over a directly connected route. A common memory tip is to remember “most specific wins” for longest prefix match, and that directly connected routes are always installed first without any routing protocol.
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 of the following statements about the routing table lookup process on a Cisco router are true? (Choose three.)
The router does not perform recursive resolution when the next-hop IP address is not directly connected.
Why wrong: When the next-hop IP is not directly connected, the router does recursively resolve the address to determine the outgoing interface.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The router performs a longest prefix match to select the most specific route for a destination IP.
The routing table uses longest prefix match (A) to find the most specific route. The default route (C) is used only when no other route matches. Directly connected routes (F) are automatically installed when the interface is up/up. Option D is incorrect because the router does recursively resolve the next‑hop IP when it is not directly connected.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The router does not perform recursive resolution when the next-hop IP address is not directly connected.
Why it's wrong here
When the next-hop IP is not directly connected, the router does recursively resolve the address to determine the outgoing interface.
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 wrong here
When the next-hop IP is not directly connected, the router does recursively resolve the address to determine the outgoing interface.
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
Cisco often tests the misconception that an exact match overrides a more specific route, but the longest prefix match rule always selects the route with the longest subnet mask, regardless of administrative distance or metric.
Detailed technical explanation
The routing table lookup is performed using a radix tree (PATRICIA) structure for efficient longest prefix matching. Recursive route resolution is required when the next-hop address is not on a directly connected subnet; the router must perform a second lookup to find the route to that next-hop address. For example, a static route to 10.0.0.0/8 via 192.168.1.1 requires that 192.168.1.0/24 be reachable via a directly connected interface or another route.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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
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FAQ
IP Routing — This question tests IP Routing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The router performs a longest prefix match to select the most specific route for a destination IP. — The routing table uses longest prefix match (A) to find the most specific route. The default route (C) is used only when no other route matches. Directly connected routes (F) are automatically installed when the interface is up/up. Option D is incorrect because the router does recursively resolve the next‑hop IP when it is not directly connected.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO statements about interpreting routing table output are true? (Choose two.)
mediumWhy A: Longest-prefix match always wins regardless of AD or route source (A correct), and directly connected routes have AD 0 (B correct). C is incorrect because among equal prefix lengths, lower AD wins. D is wrong because metric only compares same-protocol routes, while AD compares across protocols. E fails because a higher AD (200) is less preferred than OSPF's 110.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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