mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
200-901 Practice Question: A Python script using the requests library to…
A Python script using the requests library to query the Cisco Meraki API returns a 403 Forbidden error. The API key is correctly set in the header. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 403 Forbidden with authentication failures (401 Unauthorized) or assume the API key is invalid, but Cisco tests the distinction that a valid key can still be denied access due to insufficient permissions.
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
✓
The API key does not have permission for the requested resource
A 403 Forbidden error indicates that the server understood the request but refuses to authorize it. Since the API key is correctly set in the header, the most likely cause is that the API key lacks the necessary permissions (e.g., read-only key trying to modify resources, or key scoped to a different organization) for the specific resource being accessed. In Cisco Meraki, API keys are tied to specific organizations and roles, and a 403 is the standard response when the key does not have the required access rights.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The request URL is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
A wrong URL would return a 404 Not Found, not 403.
- ✗
The API endpoint is rate-limiting the request
Why it's wrong here
Rate limiting typically returns a 429 Too Many Requests, not 403.
- ✓
The API key does not have permission for the requested resource
Why this is correct
403 Forbidden means the server understood the request but refuses to authorize it; the API key likely lacks the required scope.
- ✗
The Content-Type header is missing
Why it's wrong here
Missing Content-Type might cause a 400 Bad Request, not 403.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 989 original 200-901 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.