200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
A developer is writing a Python script to interact with a REST API. The API requires a JSON payload to create a new resource. Which HTTP method should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is choosing PUT because it can also create resources — but PUT requires the client to specify the URI and is idempotent, whereas POST is the correct method when the server assigns the new resource's identifier.
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
✓
POST
POST is correct because the HTTP POST method is used to create a new resource on the server, with the resource representation sent in the request body as JSON. POST is neither safe nor idempotent, meaning repeated identical requests may create multiple resources. This matches the requirement to create a new resource via a REST API.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
POST
Why this is correct
POST submits a payload to the collection endpoint, creating a new resource, and the JSON body travels in the request. GET, PUT and DELETE cannot create a resource this way, so POST matches the API's create requirement.
- ✗
PATCH
Why it's wrong here
PATCH applies a partial modification to an existing resource, so it cannot create the new resource the scenario requires. It is tempting because PATCH carries a JSON body describing changes, and it would be correct when updating selected fields of a resource that already exists at a known endpoint.
- ✗
PUT
Why it's wrong here
PUT targets a client-specified URI and replaces the full resource there, so it is idempotent and unsuitable when the server must generate the new resource's identifier. It is tempting because PUT does accept a JSON body, and it is the right choice for full updates or upserts where the caller already knows the resource URI.
- ✗
GET
Why it's wrong here
GET retrieves representations and carries no request body semantics, so a JSON payload for resource creation cannot be transmitted. It is tempting because GET is the default method developers reach for when testing an API endpoint in a browser or script, and it is correct for read-only queries that return data without side effects.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.