- A
Use response.raise_for_status() to raise exceptions for HTTP errors.
Convenient way to handle 4xx/5xx errors.
- B
Use a single try/except block to catch all exceptions without differentiation.
Why wrong: Better to catch specific exceptions for clarity.
- C
Check response.status_code to determine success or failure.
Essential to verify HTTP status.
- D
Assume the request always succeeds; errors are rare.
Why wrong: Not defensive; errors should be anticipated.
- E
Always parse the response body with json.loads() regardless of content type.
Why wrong: Should verify content type before parsing; may not be JSON on error.
Question 80 of 1,000
200-901 Software Development and Design Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of software development and design. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 Python script is interacting with a REST API that returns JSON. The script needs to handle potential errors gracefully. Which TWO practices should be implemented? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Use response.raise_for_status() to raise exceptions for HTTP errors.
Option A is correct because `response.raise_for_status()` is a built-in method of the `requests` library that automatically raises an `HTTPError` exception for any 4xx or 5xx status code. This allows the script to handle HTTP errors in a structured way using try/except blocks, rather than manually checking each status code. It is a best practice for robust REST API interaction in Python.
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.
- ✓
Use response.raise_for_status() to raise exceptions for HTTP errors.
Why this is correct
Convenient way to handle 4xx/5xx errors.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a single try/except block to catch all exceptions without differentiation.
Why it's wrong here
Better to catch specific exceptions for clarity.
- ✓
Check response.status_code to determine success or failure.
Why this is correct
Essential to verify HTTP status.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Assume the request always succeeds; errors are rare.
Why it's wrong here
Not defensive; errors should be anticipated.
- ✗
Always parse the response body with json.loads() regardless of content type.
Why it's wrong here
Should verify content type before parsing; may not be JSON on error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between using `response.raise_for_status()` versus manually checking `response.status_code` — the trap is that candidates think only one is correct, but both are valid and complementary practices for robust error handling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `response.raise_for_status()` checks the `status_code` attribute of the `Response` object and raises `requests.exceptions.HTTPError` if the status code indicates a client (4xx) or server (5xx) error. A subtle behavior is that `raise_for_status()` does not handle network-level errors (e.g., DNS failures, connection refused) — those require separate exception handling for `requests.exceptions.ConnectionError`. In real-world scenarios, a REST API might return a 200 OK with an error message in the JSON body (e.g., `{"error": "invalid input"}`), which `raise_for_status()` would not catch, so combining it with status code checks and response body validation is essential.
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 practitioner preparing for the 200-901 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Software Development and Design — This question tests Software Development and Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use response.raise_for_status() to raise exceptions for HTTP errors. — Option A is correct because `response.raise_for_status()` is a built-in method of the `requests` library that automatically raises an `HTTPError` exception for any 4xx or 5xx status code. This allows the script to handle HTTP errors in a structured way using try/except blocks, rather than manually checking each status code. It is a best practice for robust REST API interaction in Python.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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.
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