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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 statements accurately describe the operation of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) root bridge election? (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 switch with the lowest bridge ID (priority + MAC address) becomes the root bridge.
The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) root bridge election is based on the bridge ID, which combines a configurable priority (default 32768) and the switch's MAC address. The switch with the lowest bridge ID wins the election, making option 1 correct. If priorities are equal, the MAC address serves as the tiebreaker, so the switch with the lowest MAC address is chosen, confirming option 2. Once elected, all ports on the root bridge become designated ports (forwarding), as they are the most efficient paths to the root, making option 3 correct.
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 the root bridge is elected periodically (e.g., every 30 seconds) or that the 'root secondary' command forces a switch to become root, when in fact the election is event-driven and the command only sets a specific priority for backup purposes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The bridge ID is an 8-byte value: 2 bytes for priority (in increments of 4096) and 6 bytes for the MAC address. In a real-world scenario, if an administrator sets a switch's priority to 0, it will always win the election regardless of MAC addresses, which is useful for deterministic root placement. A subtle behavior is that STP uses Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to exchange bridge IDs, and the election is actually a continuous process where the switch with the lowest bridge ID is dynamically recognized; if a superior BPDU arrives, the election effectively restarts.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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: The switch with the lowest bridge ID (priority + MAC address) becomes the root bridge. — The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) root bridge election is based on the bridge ID, which combines a configurable priority (default 32768) and the switch's MAC address. The switch with the lowest bridge ID wins the election, making option 1 correct. If priorities are equal, the MAC address serves as the tiebreaker, so the switch with the lowest MAC address is chosen, confirming option 2. Once elected, all ports on the root bridge become designated ports (forwarding), as they are the most efficient paths to the root, making option 3 correct.
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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