easyMultiple Choice
300-410 Practice Question: Which statement about PBR and the 'set ip…
Which statement about PBR and the 'set ip precedence' command is correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
300-410 often tests the confusion between IP Precedence and DSCP, and candidates may incorrectly think 'set ip precedence' sets DSCP; remember that IP Precedence uses the first 3 bits of the ToS byte, while DSCP uses the first 6 bits.
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
✓
It modifies the IP header of the packet.
The 'set ip precedence' command in PBR modifies the IP Precedence field in the Type of Service (ToS) byte of the IP header. This is used for marking packets for QoS purposes. It does not set DSCP, which uses a different set of bits in the ToS byte.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It sets the DSCP value.
Why it's wrong here
The 'set ip precedence' command writes the three-bit IP precedence field in the ToS byte, leaving DSCP untouched; DSCP requires 'set ip dscp'. It tempts because precedence and DSCP both mark packets for QoS, but they occupy different bit ranges and are configured by separate commands.
- ✗
It can only be used with 'set ip next-hop'.
Why it's wrong here
'set ip precedence' is an independent marking action that can be combined with 'set ip next-hop', 'set interface' or used alone in a route-map sequence. It tempts because next-hop is the most common PBR action, but no such dependency exists between the two commands.
- ✓
It modifies the IP header of the packet.
Why this is correct
The 'set ip precedence' action rewrites the three-bit Precedence field inside the packet's IPv4 Type of Service header, so downstream devices can classify and queue it. It changes the IP header itself, not the Layer 2 frame or any MPLS or DSCP marking.
- ✗
It is used for load-balancing.
Why it's wrong here
Precedence marking sets the IP header's ToS bits so downstream devices can classify traffic for QoS treatment; it does not distribute flows across paths. It tempts because PBR route-maps can select next hops, but load-balancing requires per-flow path selection or CEF, not a precedence value.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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.