mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
300-410 Practice Question: The default EIGRP composite metric formula used…
What is the default EIGRP composite metric formula used for route calculation?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that the full five-term formula (Option D) is the default, but the trap is that K2, K4, and K5 default to zero, so only K1 and K3 are used, making Option B the correct default formula.
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
✓
metric = (K1 * bandwidth) + (K3 * delay)
The default EIGRP composite metric uses only K1 and K3, which correspond to bandwidth and delay, with K1=1 and K3=1 by default. This yields the formula metric = bandwidth + delay, where bandwidth is calculated as (10^7 / minimum path bandwidth in kbps) * 256 and delay is the sum of interface delays in tens of microseconds multiplied by 256. Option B correctly represents this default behavior.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
metric = bandwidth + delay + load + reliability
Why it's wrong here
This is not the default; load and reliability are excluded unless K values are changed.
- ✓
metric = (K1 * bandwidth) + (K3 * delay)
Why this is correct
Correct: With default K values (K1=1, K3=1, others=0), the formula simplifies to bandwidth + delay.
- ✗
metric = bandwidth + delay + MTU
Why it's wrong here
MTU is not part of the EIGRP metric calculation.
- ✗
metric = (K1 * bandwidth) + (K2 * load) + (K3 * delay) + (K5 / (K4 + reliability))
Why it's wrong here
This is the full formula, but K2, K4, and K5 default to 0, making those terms zero.
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 1,966 original 300-410 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 300-410 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 300-410 exam.