200-901 Understanding and Using APIs Practice Question
A developer wants to use Postman to test a REST API that requires a Bearer token. Where should the token be placed in the request?
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
✓
In the Authorization header
The Bearer token is placed in the Authorization header using the format 'Bearer <token>'. The request body is used for data, not authentication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
In the Authorization header
Why this is correct
Bearer tokens are transmitted as credentials in the Authorization header using the scheme "Bearer <token>". Placing it there satisfies the API's authentication requirement, so Postman sends it with every request and the server validates the caller's identity before processing.
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As a query parameter
Why it's wrong here
Bearer tokens belong in the Authorization header as "Bearer <token>"; query parameters are logged in server access logs and browser history, exposing credentials. Query parameters suit filters, pagination or non-sensitive identifiers. Postman's Auth tab sets the header automatically, so placing the token in the URL fails the API's expected scheme.
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In a custom header like X-Auth-Token
Why it's wrong here
A custom X-Auth-Token header is non-standard; the API expects the standard Authorization header with the Bearer scheme. Custom headers suit proprietary authentication schemes, not OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens. Postman's Auth tab writes to Authorization, so a custom header would not satisfy the endpoint's requirement.
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In the request body
Why it's wrong here
The Authorization header carries Bearer credentials; a request body is for resource representation in POST or PUT payloads. Some APIs accept tokens in bodies, but RFC 6750 specifies the header, and Postman's Auth helper populates it there. A body token would be ignored by a header-expecting endpoint.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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