- A
Local preference
Why wrong: Local preference is the second tie-breaker after weight.
- B
Weight
Correct. Weight is the first attribute checked; it is Cisco proprietary.
- C
AS path length
Why wrong: AS path is checked after weight, local preference, and locally originated routes.
- D
MED
Why wrong: MED is compared after AS path length and origin type.
Question 1,988 of 2,152
BGP Best Path Selection: Weight as the First Tie-Breaker
This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of route maps and route filtering. 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 BGP attribute is used as the first tie-breaker in the route selection process when comparing routes from different peers?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The answer is weight, a Cisco proprietary attribute that serves as the first tie-breaker in the BGP best path selection process when comparing routes from different peers. This is because the BGP decision algorithm is designed to prioritize locally significant policies over global path attributes, and weight—being the highest precedence attribute—allows a router to prefer a specific path regardless of what other routers in the AS might choose. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the BGP path selection order, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which attribute overrides others. A common trap is confusing weight with local preference, but remember that weight is evaluated first and is only significant on the router where it is configured, whereas local preference is propagated throughout the AS. To lock this in, use the mnemonic "We Love Oranges AS Oranges" for the first four tie-breakers: Weight, Local Preference, Originate (locally originated routes), AS-path length.
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
✓
Weight
The BGP best-path selection algorithm first prefers the path with the highest weight (Cisco proprietary), then highest local preference, then locally originated routes.
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.
- ✗
Local preference
Why it's wrong here
Local preference is the second tie-breaker after weight.
- ✓
Weight
Why this is correct
Correct. Weight is the first attribute checked; it is Cisco proprietary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AS path length
Why it's wrong here
AS path is checked after weight, local preference, and locally originated routes.
- ✗
MED
Why it's wrong here
MED is compared after AS path length and origin type.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Route Maps and Route Filtering — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 300-410 question test?
Route Maps and Route Filtering — This question tests Route Maps and Route Filtering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Weight — The BGP best-path selection algorithm first prefers the path with the highest weight (Cisco proprietary), then highest local preference, then locally originated routes.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
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