PCNSA Policy Evaluation and Management Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of policy evaluation and management. 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.
Exhibit
admin@PA-500> show running security-policy
rulebase security {
rules {
rule1 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.0.0.0/8 ]
destination any
application [ ssl ]
service application-default
action allow
log-start no
log-end yes
}
rule2 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.1.0.0/24 ]
destination any
application [ web-browsing ]
service application-default
action allow
log-start no
log-end yes
}
rule3 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.1.1.0/24 ]
destination any
application any
service application-default
action deny
log-start no
log-end yes
}
}
}
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator is analyzing the rulebase. Traffic from source 10.1.1.5 to destination 8.8.8.8 using web-browsing application (HTTP TCP/80). Which rule will match?
Exhibit
admin@PA-500> show running security-policy
rulebase security {
rules {
rule1 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.0.0.0/8 ]
destination any
application [ ssl ]
service application-default
action allow
log-start no
log-end yes
}
rule2 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.1.0.0/24 ]
destination any
application [ web-browsing ]
service application-default
action allow
log-start no
log-end yes
}
rule3 {
source-zone trust
destination-zone untrust
source [ 10.1.1.0/24 ]
destination any
application any
service application-default
action deny
log-start no
log-end yes
}
}
}
A
rule3.
rule3 matches the traffic because source subnet includes 10.1.1.5 and application any.
B
rule2.
Why wrong: rule2's source is 10.1.0.0/24, which does not include 10.1.1.5.
C
rule1.
Why wrong: rule1 only matches ssl application, not web-browsing.
D
None, because rule1 and rule2 have specific applications.
Why wrong: rule3 matches before them, so it is evaluated.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
rule3.
Option A is correct because rule3 has source 10.1.1.0/24 and application any, matching the traffic. rule1 does not match because it only allows ssl application. rule2 does not match because its source is 10.1.0.0/24, which does not include 10.1.1.5. Therefore, rule3 is the first matching rule, and it denies the traffic.
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.
✓
rule3.
Why this is correct
rule3 matches the traffic because source subnet includes 10.1.1.5 and application any.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
rule2.
Why it's wrong here
rule2's source is 10.1.0.0/24, which does not include 10.1.1.5.
✗
rule1.
Why it's wrong here
rule1 only matches ssl application, not web-browsing.
✗
None, because rule1 and rule2 have specific applications.
Why it's wrong here
rule3 matches before them, so it is evaluated.
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 PCNSA 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 PCNSA 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.
Policy Evaluation and Management — This question tests Policy Evaluation and Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: rule3. — Option A is correct because rule3 has source 10.1.1.0/24 and application any, matching the traffic. rule1 does not match because it only allows ssl application. rule2 does not match because its source is 10.1.0.0/24, which does not include 10.1.1.5. Therefore, rule3 is the first matching rule, and it denies the traffic.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA question wrong?
Identify which PCNSA 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.
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Question Discussion
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