200-901 Understanding and Using APIs Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of understanding and using apis. 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 script is using the Cisco Meraki API to fetch a list of organizations. The script needs to authenticate with an API key. Where should the API key be included in the request?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
In the request header as 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'.
The Cisco Meraki API requires the API key to be sent in a custom HTTP header named 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'. This is a vendor-specific authentication mechanism, not a standard Bearer token. Including the key in this header ensures the request is authenticated without exposing the key in the URL or body.
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.
✗
In the HTTP Authorization header using Bearer scheme.
Why it's wrong here
Bearer tokens are used for OAuth; Meraki uses a custom header.
✗
In the request body as a JSON field.
Why it's wrong here
API keys are typically not sent in the body; Meraki expects it in the header.
✗
In the request URL as a query parameter.
Why it's wrong here
Passing API keys in URLs is insecure and not how Meraki API accepts authentication.
✓
In the request header as 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'.
Why this is correct
Meraki API uses the custom header 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key' for API key authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the fact that many APIs use standard Bearer tokens, but the Meraki API specifically uses a custom header, so candidates mistakenly choose the Authorization header option without reading the vendor-specific documentation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Meraki API uses a custom header approach to authenticate requests, which is defined in their API documentation. Under the hood, the server extracts the API key from the 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key' header and validates it against stored credentials. This method avoids the need for session management or cookies, keeping the API stateless. In a real-world scenario, if you accidentally use the Authorization header, the server will return a 401 Unauthorized error, as it does not recognize that header for authentication.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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.
Understanding and Using APIs — This question tests Understanding and Using APIs — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: In the request header as 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'. — The Cisco Meraki API requires the API key to be sent in a custom HTTP header named 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'. This is a vendor-specific authentication mechanism, not a standard Bearer token. Including the key in this header ensures the request is authenticated without exposing the key in the URL or body.
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.
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Question Discussion
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