- A
Routes with higher administrative distance are always preferred.
Why wrong: Lower AD values indicate higher preference.
- B
Administrative distance is only considered when metrics are equal.
Why wrong: AD is considered first; only if AD is equal are metrics compared.
- C
The route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table.
AD is the first tiebreaker when routes from different protocols exist; lower AD wins.
- D
Administrative distance is used to select the best path within the same routing protocol.
Why wrong: Within the same protocol, metric is used; AD is used between different protocols.
Question 250 of 2,152
300-410 Administrative Distance Practice Question
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of administrative distance. 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.
Which statement about administrative distance is true regarding the selection of routes in a routing table?
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 route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table.
When a router receives multiple routes to the same destination from different routing protocols, the route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table, regardless of metric.
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.
- ✗
Routes with higher administrative distance are always preferred.
Why it's wrong here
Lower AD values indicate higher preference.
- ✗
Administrative distance is only considered when metrics are equal.
Why it's wrong here
AD is considered first; only if AD is equal are metrics compared.
- ✓
The route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table.
Why this is correct
AD is the first tiebreaker when routes from different protocols exist; lower AD wins.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Administrative distance is used to select the best path within the same routing protocol.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 300-410 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.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Administrative Distance — This question tests Administrative Distance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table. — When a router receives multiple routes to the same destination from different routing protocols, the route with the lowest administrative distance is installed in the routing table, regardless of metric.
What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?
Identify which 300-410 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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