- A
Switch to a different API endpoint
Why wrong: The endpoint may not be the issue; rate limiting is per client.
- B
Wait for the time specified in the Retry-After header and then retry
Respecting the Retry-After header is the proper way to handle rate limiting.
- C
Log the error and continue without retrying
Why wrong: Ignoring the error may lead to incomplete data.
- D
Immediately retry the same request without delay
Why wrong: This could worsen the rate limit issue.
Question 313 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 uses a try/except block to handle API errors. If the API returns a 429 status code, which mechanism should the script implement to handle the error appropriately?
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
✓
Wait for the time specified in the Retry-After header and then retry
A 429 status code indicates the client has sent too many requests in a given amount of time (rate limiting). The HTTP specification (RFC 6585) recommends including a Retry-After header in the response, which tells the client how long to wait before retrying. Implementing a wait based on this header and then retrying is the correct and respectful way to handle rate limiting, allowing the script to eventually succeed without overwhelming the server.
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.
- ✗
Switch to a different API endpoint
Why it's wrong here
The endpoint may not be the issue; rate limiting is per client.
- ✓
Wait for the time specified in the Retry-After header and then retry
Why this is correct
Respecting the Retry-After header is the proper way to handle rate limiting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Log the error and continue without retrying
Why it's wrong here
Ignoring the error may lead to incomplete data.
- ✗
Immediately retry the same request without delay
Why it's wrong here
This could worsen the rate limit issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between handling transient errors (like 429) versus permanent errors (like 404 or 500), and the trap here is that candidates may choose to immediately retry (D) or log and continue (C) without understanding that 429 specifically requires a delay before retry.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Retry-After header can contain either a date (HTTP-date) or a delay in seconds (integer). When implementing the retry logic, the script should parse this header and sleep for the specified duration before making the request again. In real-world scenarios, APIs like GitHub or Twitter enforce rate limits with 429 responses and provide Retry-After headers; failing to respect them can lead to temporary or permanent IP bans. Additionally, a robust implementation should include exponential backoff as a fallback if the Retry-After header is missing.
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.
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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: Wait for the time specified in the Retry-After header and then retry — A 429 status code indicates the client has sent too many requests in a given amount of time (rate limiting). The HTTP specification (RFC 6585) recommends including a Retry-After header in the response, which tells the client how long to wait before retrying. Implementing a wait based on this header and then retrying is the correct and respectful way to handle rate limiting, allowing the script to eventually succeed without overwhelming the server.
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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