- A
The GOLD class has a smaller queue limit than SILVER, which may cause more packet drops for GOLD traffic under congestion.
Correct. A smaller queue limit means fewer packets can be buffered, increasing the likelihood of drops when the queue is full.
- B
The SILVER class will always receive more bandwidth than GOLD because of its larger queue limit.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Bandwidth allocation is determined by the 'bandwidth percent' command, not queue limit.
- C
The configuration is invalid because 'queue-limit' cannot be used with 'bandwidth percent' in the same class.
Why wrong: Incorrect. They can be used together; 'queue-limit' sets the maximum number of packets in the queue.
- D
The 'fair-queue' command in class-default will override the bandwidth allocation for GOLD and SILVER.
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'fair-queue' only applies to the default class and does not affect other classes.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the GOLD class has a smaller queue limit than SILVER, which may cause more packet drops for GOLD traffic under congestion. This is true because while both classes are allocated the same bandwidth percentage of 25%, the GOLD class is configured with a queue-limit of only 64 packets, whereas SILVER can hold up to 128 packets. When congestion occurs, the smaller queue depth for GOLD means it will exhaust its buffer space sooner, leading to tail drops even though it is intended to be a higher-priority service. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of CBWFQ and LLQ queue servicing order and configuration, specifically that bandwidth allocation and queue limits are independent parameters—a common trap is assuming equal bandwidth guarantees equal drop behavior. Remember the memory tip: "Bandwidth shares the pie, queue limits define the plate size."
CCNP QoS Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of qos. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Examine the following configuration:
policy-map QUEUE
class GOLD
bandwidth percent 25 queue-limit 64 packets
class SILVER
bandwidth percent 25 queue-limit 128 packets
class class-default
fair-queue
interface GigabitEthernet0/2
service-policy output QUEUE
Which statement about this configuration is true?
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 GOLD class has a smaller queue limit than SILVER, which may cause more packet drops for GOLD traffic under congestion.
The policy-map allocates 25% of bandwidth to both GOLD and SILVER classes, with queue limits of 64 and 128 packets respectively. The default class uses fair-queue. This configuration is valid and provides differentiated queuing.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The GOLD class has a smaller queue limit than SILVER, which may cause more packet drops for GOLD traffic under congestion.
Why this is correct
Correct. A smaller queue limit means fewer packets can be buffered, increasing the likelihood of drops when the queue is full.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The SILVER class will always receive more bandwidth than GOLD because of its larger queue limit.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Bandwidth allocation is determined by the 'bandwidth percent' command, not queue limit.
- ✗
The configuration is invalid because 'queue-limit' cannot be used with 'bandwidth percent' in the same class.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. They can be used together; 'queue-limit' sets the maximum number of packets in the queue.
- ✗
The 'fair-queue' command in class-default will override the bandwidth allocation for GOLD and SILVER.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'fair-queue' only applies to the default class and does not affect other classes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. Bandwidth allocation is determined by the 'bandwidth percent' command, not queue limit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
QoS — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
QoS — This question tests QoS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The GOLD class has a smaller queue limit than SILVER, which may cause more packet drops for GOLD traffic under congestion. — The policy-map allocates 25% of bandwidth to both GOLD and SILVER classes, with queue limits of 64 and 128 packets respectively. The default class uses fair-queue. This configuration is valid and provides differentiated queuing.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 350-401
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. Drag and drop the steps of CBWFQ and LLQ queue servicing order into the correct order, from first to last.
medium- ✓ A.Service the strict priority LLQ queue
- ✓ B.Check if LLQ queue is empty
- ✓ C.Service the next CBWFQ queue in WRR
- ✓ D.Apply bandwidth weight to each CBWFQ queue
- ✓ E.Drop packets from tail of congested queues
Why A: LLQ is serviced first to guarantee low-latency traffic, then CBWFQ queues are serviced in a weighted round-robin manner based on configured bandwidths. This order ensures strict priority for voice/video while providing fair sharing for other classes.
Variation 2. Drag and drop the steps of CBWFQ and LLQ queue servicing order into the correct order, from first to last.
medium- ✓ A.Service the LLQ (priority queue)
- ✓ B.Service the first CBWFQ queue (highest bandwidth)
- ✓ C.Service the second CBWFQ queue (next bandwidth)
- ✓ D.Service the third CBWFQ queue (lower bandwidth)
- ✓ E.Service the default class queue
Why A: LLQ is serviced before any CBWFQ queues to ensure low-latency traffic. Within CBWFQ, queues are serviced in a weighted round-robin fashion based on bandwidth allocation. The default queue is serviced last.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.
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