CCNA IP Routing Practice Question
Why is a default route often called a route of last resort?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common exam trap is assuming the default route is learned only via OSPF or that it always has the lowest bandwidth, when in fact it is simply the least specific route used as a fallback.
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
✓
Because it is used only when no more specific route matches the destination.
Ly identifies the default route as a route of last resort because it is used only when no more specific route matches the destination. Option B is incorrect because bandwidth is not a defining characteristic of a default route; it is simply a fallback path. Option C is wrong because default routes can be configured statically or learned via any routing protocol (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, RIP), not exclusively OSPF. Option D is false because the default route is the least specific route (0.0.0.0/0), not more specific than any other route.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Because it is used only when no more specific route matches the destination.
Why this is correct
This is correct because the default route is a fallback path.
- ✗
Because it always has the lowest bandwidth.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the default route is not defined by bandwidth.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different question, if asked about the characteristics of routing protocols or how to optimize network performance, an option stating that a default route has the lowest bandwidth could be correct if it specifically refers to a scenario where it is intentionally configured to limit traffic flow.
- ✗
Because it must be learned from OSPF only.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because default routes can come from several sources, including static configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question specified that a default route must be configured in an OSPF environment and that OSPF is the only routing protocol in use, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could ask about the requirements for a default route in a purely OSPF network.
- ✗
Because it is more specific than every other route.
Why it's wrong here
This is wrong because the default route is the least specific route.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a question asking for the characteristics of a specific type of route that is more specific than all others, such as a static route with a defined subnet mask that matches a particular destination more closely than any default route.
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.
✓Because it is used only when no more specific route matches the destination.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
This is correct because the default route is a fallback path.
✗Because it always has the lowest bandwidth.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default route is not defined by bandwidth; it is a routing entry with the prefix 0.0.0.0/0 that matches all destinations. Bandwidth is a metric used by routing protocols like EIGRP, but it does not determine whether a route is a default route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different question, if asked about the characteristics of routing protocols or how to optimize network performance, an option stating that a default route has the lowest bandwidth could be correct if it specifically refers to a scenario where it is intentionally configured to limit traffic flow.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse the concept of a default route with a route that has a low metric or cost, thinking that 'last resort' implies a poor-quality path. However, the term 'last resort' refers to the order of matching, not the quality of the route.
✗Because it must be learned from OSPF only.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Default routes can be learned from multiple sources, including static configuration, OSPF, EIGRP, RIP, and other routing protocols. OSPF is just one possible source, and it is not mandatory for learning a default route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question specified that a default route must be configured in an OSPF environment and that OSPF is the only routing protocol in use, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could ask about the requirements for a default route in a purely OSPF network.
Why candidates choose this
Students may recall that OSPF can generate a default route using the 'default-information originate' command, leading them to incorrectly assume that OSPF is the only source. However, default routes are commonly configured statically or learned via other protocols.
✗Because it is more specific than every other route.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The default route (0.0.0.0/0) is the least specific route because it has a prefix length of 0, meaning it matches all IP addresses. More specific routes have longer prefix lengths (e.g., /24, /16) and are preferred over the default route.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a question asking for the characteristics of a specific type of route that is more specific than all others, such as a static route with a defined subnet mask that matches a particular destination more closely than any default route.
Why candidates choose this
The phrase 'route of last resort' might be misinterpreted as meaning the route is more specific or important, but in routing, 'last resort' means it is used only when no other route matches, which is the opposite of being more specific.
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?”
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Interpreting HSRP and VRRP Operational Status
Key term
Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol
Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) is a Cisco-proprietary advanced distance-vector routing protocol that calculates the best path through a network using multiple metrics, with fast convergence and loop-free routing.
Key term
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can travel over a network connection in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.
About these practice questions
This 200-301 question is part of Courseiva's 1,389-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.