- A
Class-map
Class-map uses match statements to identify traffic.
- B
Service-policy
Why wrong: Service-policy applies the policy to an interface.
- C
Policy-map
Why wrong: Policy-map defines actions, not classification.
- D
Access-list
Why wrong: Access-list can be used within class-map, but class-map is the MQC component.
Question 799 of 1,000
350-501 Automation and Quality of Services Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of automation and quality of services. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 MQC component is used to match traffic based on criteria such as DSCP or IP precedence?
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
✓
Class-map
In the Modular QoS CLI (MQC), the class-map component is used to define traffic classes by matching packets based on criteria such as DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) or IP precedence values. The class-map uses match statements (e.g., match ip dscp, match ip precedence) to classify traffic, which is then applied within a policy-map for QoS actions. This makes class-map the correct MQC component for traffic matching.
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.
- ✓
Class-map
Why this is correct
Class-map uses match statements to identify traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Service-policy
Why it's wrong here
Service-policy applies the policy to an interface.
- ✗
Policy-map
Why it's wrong here
Policy-map defines actions, not classification.
- ✗
Access-list
Why it's wrong here
Access-list can be used within class-map, but class-map is the MQC component.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between class-map (classification) and policy-map (action), so candidates mistakenly select policy-map because they associate it with QoS policies, forgetting that classification is done separately in the class-map.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the class-map evaluates match criteria using a logical OR by default (multiple match statements are ORed), but can be configured for AND logic using the match-all keyword. DSCP values are defined in RFC 2474 and occupy the first 6 bits of the ToS byte, while IP precedence uses the first 3 bits; class-maps can match these directly without ACLs, enabling efficient hardware-based classification on platforms like Cisco ASR or ISR routers. In real-world scenarios, matching DSCP AF41 in a class-map allows differentiated queuing for video traffic without relying on ACLs that would require more CPU cycles.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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.
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Automation and Quality of Services — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-501 question test?
Automation and Quality of Services — This question tests Automation and Quality of Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Class-map — In the Modular QoS CLI (MQC), the class-map component is used to define traffic classes by matching packets based on criteria such as DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) or IP precedence values. The class-map uses match statements (e.g., match ip dscp, match ip precedence) to classify traffic, which is then applied within a policy-map for QoS actions. This makes class-map the correct MQC component for traffic matching.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 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: Jul 4, 2026
This 350-501 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 350-501 exam.
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