The answer is that the ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users. This is the most likely cause because the RADIUS Access-Reject with an “incorrect credentials” error in the ISE logs indicates the authentication policy is failing to locate the user in the configured identity stores, even though the password is correct. Since students connect successfully, the policy likely matches student accounts to an AD identity source but excludes faculty due to a different AD group or domain not included in the policy’s identity store sequence. On the Cisco SCOR / CCNP Security Core 350-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how ISE authentication policies map to identity sources and the common trap of assuming “incorrect credentials” always means a bad password—when it often signals a missing or misconfigured identity store. Remember the mnemonic: “Reject for Creds? Check the Stores.”
350-701 Practice Question: Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement
This 350-701 practice question tests your understanding of secure network access, visibility and enforcement. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A university is using Cisco ISE to provide secure wireless access for students and faculty. The wireless network uses WPA2-Enterprise with PEAP-MSCHAPv2. Recently, some faculty members reported that they cannot connect to the wireless network from their personal laptops, while student devices connect without issues. The faculty members are using the same SSID and entering their credentials correctly. The ISE logs show that the authentication attempts from faculty devices are failing with 'RADIUS Access-Reject' due to incorrect credentials. However, the faculty members are certain they are using the correct password. The IT department has verified that the user accounts in Active Directory are active and not locked. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users
The most likely cause is that the ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users. Since student devices connect successfully, the policy likely matches students to an AD identity source but fails for faculty because their accounts are in a different AD group or domain not included in the policy. The 'RADIUS Access-Reject' with 'incorrect credentials' error in ISE logs indicates the authentication policy is not finding the user in the configured identity stores, even though the password is correct.
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 ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users
Why this is correct
If the identity store sequence does not include AD, authentication fails.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The faculty laptops do not have a valid client certificate
Why it's wrong here
PEAP-MSCHAPv2 uses passwords, not client certificates.
✗
The faculty accounts are locked due to multiple failed attempts
Why it's wrong here
The problem says accounts are active and not locked.
✗
The RADIUS shared secret on the wireless controller is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
If the shared secret were incorrect, all users would fail, not just faculty.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that 'incorrect credentials' always means a wrong password, when in fact it can indicate a missing or misconfigured identity source in the authentication policy, especially when some users succeed and others fail.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Cisco ISE, authentication policies use identity source sequences that define which identity stores (e.g., Active Directory, internal users) are queried and in what order. If faculty users belong to a different AD domain or organizational unit not included in the sequence, ISE will not attempt to authenticate them against AD, resulting in an Access-Reject. The 'incorrect credentials' message is a generic RADIUS response that can also occur when the user is not found in any configured identity store, not just when the password is wrong.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — This question tests Secure Network Access, Visibility and Enforcement — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users — The most likely cause is that the ISE authentication policy is not configured to query Active Directory for faculty users. Since student devices connect successfully, the policy likely matches students to an AD identity source but fails for faculty because their accounts are in a different AD group or domain not included in the policy. The 'RADIUS Access-Reject' with 'incorrect credentials' error in ISE logs indicates the authentication policy is not finding the user in the configured identity stores, even though the password is correct.
What should I do if I get this 350-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This 350-701 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 350-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.