Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
All Practice Exams

100+ Free Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Practice Questions

Pass your Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR 350-401) v1.2 exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
Not publicly published Pass Rate
100+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 100
Question 1
Score: 0/0

An engineer runs `requests.get(url, headers={'X-Auth-Token': token}, verify=False)` against Catalyst Center. What is the security implication of `verify=False`?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Exam

120 min

Exam Length

Cisco 350-401 exam page

$400

Exam Fee (USD)

Cisco / Pearson VUE

30%

Largest Domain

Infrastructure (L2/L3/IP services)

6

Official Domains

ENCOR v1.2 blueprint

3 years

Certification Valid

Cisco recertification policy

Pearson VUE

Test Provider

Cisco delivery partner

Cisco 350-401 ENCOR v1.2 is a 120-minute exam, costs US$400, and is delivered by Pearson VUE. Cisco does not publish a fixed question count - forms typically deliver 90-110 items - and the passing score is a variable scaled cut score commonly reported around 825/1000. The official v1.2 blueprint (active March 19, 2026) splits content into six domains: Architecture (15%), Virtualization (10%), Infrastructure (30%), Network Assurance (10%), Security (20%), and Automation and Artificial Intelligence (15%). Notable v1.2 changes: wireless was removed and an Automation and AI domain replaced it, with Catalyst Center AI workflows now covered in Network Assurance. Passing 350-401 satisfies the CCNP Enterprise core requirement and the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure qualifying exam, and certifications are valid for three years.

Sample Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Cisco ENCOR 350-401 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which two layers are collapsed into one in a 2-tier (collapsed core) enterprise campus design?
A.Access and distribution
B.Distribution and core
C.Access and core
D.Edge and access
Explanation: In a 2-tier (collapsed core) campus, the distribution and core layers are merged into a single combined layer, while the access layer remains separate. This design suits small-to-medium campuses where a dedicated core does not pay back its cost.
2Which Cisco high-availability technology synchronizes the active and standby supervisor engines so a switchover does not disrupt forwarding?
A.FHRP
B.SSO
C.GLBP
D.BFD
Explanation: Stateful Switchover (SSO) synchronizes protocol and forwarding state between an active and a standby supervisor so that, when the active fails, the standby takes over with minimal disruption. SSO is typically paired with NSF to keep neighbor sessions alive.
3In a Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN fabric, which controller is responsible for authenticating WAN edges and orchestrating the initial control connections?
A.vManage
B.vSmart
C.vBond
D.vAnalytics
Explanation: vBond is the orchestrator. It authenticates vEdge/cEdge routers and the other controllers, learns transport-side public/private addresses, and helps WAN edges find vManage and vSmart to bring up control connections.
4Which protocol distributes routing, TLOC, and service information between Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN edges and vSmart controllers?
A.BGP
B.EIGRP
C.OMP
D.LISP
Explanation: Overlay Management Protocol (OMP) is the SD-WAN control-plane protocol. It runs over DTLS/TLS between WAN edges and vSmart, advertising routes, TLOCs (transport locators), and service routes used to build the secure overlay.
5Which two roles best describe TLOCs in a Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN deployment? (Choose the best single answer.)
A.TCP listening offsets used by vManage for management
B.Transport locators identifying a WAN edge color, system IP, and encapsulation
C.Encryption keys distributed by vBond
D.Tag-based segmentation labels for VPN traffic
Explanation: A TLOC (transport locator) is a tuple of system IP, color (e.g., biz-internet, mpls), and encapsulation (IPsec/GRE). vSmart uses TLOCs to advertise reachable transports so other edges can build IPsec tunnels through the right underlay path.
6Which protocol is used as the control plane for a Cisco SD-Access fabric?
A.OSPF
B.LISP
C.VXLAN
D.BGP-LS
Explanation: SD-Access uses LISP (Locator/ID Separation Protocol) as its control plane. The fabric control-plane node holds the host-to-edge mappings (EID-to-RLOC) and edge nodes query the map server to learn how to reach endpoints.
7Which encapsulation does the SD-Access data plane use to carry user traffic across the fabric?
A.GRE
B.MPLS
C.VXLAN with a Group Policy Object (GPO) header
D.IPsec ESP
Explanation: SD-Access uses VXLAN with a Group Policy Object (Cisco TrustSec SGT) carried in the VXLAN-GPO header. The VNI maps a virtual network and the SGT carries group-based policy across the fabric.
8Which device type in an SD-Access fabric is the policy enforcement point for endpoints attached to the fabric?
A.Border node
B.Control plane node
C.Edge node
D.Intermediate node
Explanation: Edge nodes are the access switches in SD-Access. Endpoints connect to edge nodes, which encapsulate traffic into VXLAN, register hosts with the control plane, and apply SGT-based policy.
9Which design choice allows a traditional non-fabric campus to interoperate with an SD-Access fabric for hosts that cannot be migrated immediately?
A.Configure VTP transparent on all switches
B.Deploy a fabric border node that integrates with the legacy campus via Layer 2 handoff or Layer 3 handoff
C.Disable LISP on the edge nodes
D.Set the campus core to vlan dot1q tag native
Explanation: Cisco supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 handoff at the fabric border. The border node bridges or routes between the SD-Access fabric and the traditional non-fabric network, letting both coexist during migration.
10In a typical enterprise QoS design, which DSCP value is recommended for voice (VoIP bearer) traffic according to Cisco's strategic enterprise QoS model?
A.EF (DSCP 46)
B.AF11 (DSCP 10)
C.CS6 (DSCP 48)
D.AF41 (DSCP 34)
Explanation: Voice bearer traffic is marked Expedited Forwarding (EF / DSCP 46) and serviced from a low-latency priority queue. CS6 is reserved for routing/control, AF41 is for interactive video, and AF11 is for bulk data.

About the Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Exam

The 350-401 ENCOR exam is the core qualifying exam for both CCNP Enterprise and CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure. The official v1.2 blueprint, active March 19, 2026, focuses on dual-stack (IPv4 and IPv6) enterprise networking across six domains: Architecture (15%, including Catalyst SD-WAN and SD-Access), Virtualization (10%), Infrastructure (30%, the heaviest domain, covering L2, L3, and IP services), Network Assurance (10%, including Catalyst Center AI workflows and NETCONF/RESTCONF), Security (20%, including AAA, ACLs, CoPP, REST API security, TrustSec, and MACsec), and Automation and Artificial Intelligence (15%, including Python, YANG, Catalyst Center and SD-WAN Manager APIs, EEM, and orchestration tools).

Assessment

Approximately 90-110 multiple-choice, multi-select, drag-and-drop, simulation, and testlet items per Cisco; exact count varies by exam form.

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

Variable cut score (commonly reported ~825/1000); Cisco does not publish the exact passing percentage for 350-401.

Exam Fee

$400 USD (Cisco / Pearson VUE)

Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Exam Content Outline

15%

Architecture

Enterprise design principles (2-tier, 3-tier, fabric, cloud), high availability (redundancy, FHRP, SSO), Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN control and data planes (vBond, vManage, vSmart, OMP, TLOC) and benefits/limitations, Cisco SD-Access control and data planes (LISP, VXLAN, fabric edge/border/CP nodes), traditional campus interoperating with SD-Access, and interpreting QoS configurations.

10%

Virtualization

Device virtualization (Type 1 vs Type 2 hypervisors, virtual machines, virtual switching), data path virtualization (VRF, GRE, and IPsec tunneling), and network virtualization concepts (LISP and VXLAN).

30%

Infrastructure

Layer 2: troubleshooting static and dynamic 802.1Q trunking and EtherChannels (LACP/PAgP), and configuring/verifying RSTP, MST, root guard, and BPDU guard. Layer 3: comparing EIGRP and OSPF, OSPFv2/v3 multi-area design with summarization and filtering, eBGP between directly connected neighbors, and policy-based routing. IP services: NTP and PTP, NAT/PAT, HSRP and VRRP, and multicast with RPF check, PIM SM, IGMP v2/v3, SSM, BIDIR-PIM, and MSDP.

10%

Network Assurance

Diagnosing network problems using debugs, conditional debugs, traceroute, ping, SNMP, and syslog; configuring and verifying Flexible NetFlow; SPAN/RSPAN/ERSPAN; IP SLA; describing how Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) applies network configuration, monitoring, and management with traditional and AI-powered workflows; and configuring/verifying NETCONF and RESTCONF.

20%

Security

Device access control (lines, local user authentication, AAA with TACACS+/RADIUS), infrastructure security features (ACLs and CoPP), REST API security (TLS, token auth, rate limiting, scope/permissions), and network security design components (threat defense, endpoint security with ISE posture, next-generation firewall such as Cisco Secure Firewall/FTD, and TrustSec with SGT plus MACsec).

15%

Automation and Artificial Intelligence

Interpreting basic Python components and scripts (requests, ncclient, dictionaries, JSON parsing); constructing valid JSON-encoded files; describing YANG data modeling principles and benefits; APIs for Cisco Catalyst Center (Intent APIs) and SD-WAN Manager (vManage); interpreting REST API response codes and payloads with RESTCONF; constructing EEM applets to automate configuration, troubleshooting, or data collection; and comparing agent vs agentless orchestration tools (Ansible vs Puppet/Chef/Salt) and IaC platforms like Terraform.

How to Pass the Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Variable cut score (commonly reported ~825/1000); Cisco does not publish the exact passing percentage for 350-401.
  • Assessment: Approximately 90-110 multiple-choice, multi-select, drag-and-drop, simulation, and testlet items per Cisco; exact count varies by exam form.
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: $400 USD

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Cisco ENCOR 350-401 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Spend the most time on Infrastructure (30%) - drill 802.1Q trunking, EtherChannel negotiation modes, RSTP/MST guards, OSPF area types (especially NSSA and totally stubby), eBGP best path, and the full multicast stack until they are reflexive.
2Build a small lab in CML, EVE-NG, or GNS3 with at least four routers and two switches so you can practice OSPF/EIGRP/BGP, HSRP/VRRP, PIM-SM/SSM/BIDIR with Auto-RP and BSR, and Flexible NetFlow against real outputs.
3Memorize the SD-WAN onboarding order (Edge -> vBond authenticates -> vManage templates -> vSmart distributes OMP) and the SD-Access fabric roles (CP node = LISP, edge nodes encapsulate VXLAN with SGT, border nodes egress to non-fabric).
4Know BGP best-path selection step by step using a mnemonic (Weight, LocalPref, Locally-originated, AS-Path, Origin, MED, eBGP-over-iBGP, IGP metric, oldest path, Router ID, neighbor IP).
5For Automation and AI (15%), practice real Python with the requests and ncclient libraries against a sandbox, parse JSON responses, and write at least one EEM applet end-to-end so the syntax is muscle memory on test day.
6Practice Catalyst Center Intent API calls in the Cisco DevNet Sandbox - generate a token, list devices, and POST a network intent - because token-based REST API security and HTTP response codes are explicitly tested.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Cisco 350-401 ENCOR exam and how long is it?

The 350-401 ENCOR is a 120-minute exam. Cisco does not publish a fixed question count, but forms typically deliver about 90 to 110 questions including multiple-choice, multiple-select, drag-and-drop, simulation, and testlet items. Plan your pacing for under 75 seconds per item on average and budget extra time for simulations.

What is the passing score for the Cisco 350-401 ENCOR exam?

Cisco uses a variable scaled cut score and does not publish the exact passing percentage for 350-401. Most CCNP-level exams have historically scaled to roughly 825 out of 1000, but the actual passing line per form is set by Cisco psychometricians and is not disclosed. Aim for a consistent 85 percent or higher on quality practice questions before scheduling.

What does the 350-401 exam cost and who delivers it?

The 350-401 ENCOR exam costs US$400 plus applicable taxes. It is delivered by Pearson VUE either at a physical test center or through OnVUE online proctoring. You can register through the Cisco certification portal, which routes you to Pearson VUE for scheduling, or use Cisco Learning Credits if your employer provides them.

What changed in the v1.2 ENCOR blueprint?

ENCOR v1.2 went live on March 19, 2026. The headline changes are that the dedicated wireless domain was removed and replaced with an Automation and Artificial Intelligence domain weighted at 15 percent, and Cisco Catalyst Center AI-powered workflows are now explicitly tested under Network Assurance. The six current domains are Architecture (15%), Virtualization (10%), Infrastructure (30%), Network Assurance (10%), Security (20%), and Automation and AI (15%).

Are there prerequisites for ENCOR 350-401?

Cisco does not enforce formal prerequisites for 350-401, but recommends solid CCNA-level networking knowledge plus 3-5 years of hands-on enterprise routing, switching, and basic automation experience. ENCOR is the qualifying core exam for CCNP Enterprise (paired with one concentration exam) and the qualifying exam for CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure.

How does 350-401 fit into CCNP Enterprise and CCIE Enterprise?

Passing 350-401 alone earns the Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Core badge. To earn CCNP Enterprise, you must pass 350-401 plus one concentration exam such as 300-410 ENARSI, 300-415 ENSDWI, 300-420 ENSLD, 300-435 ENAUTO, or 300-440 ENCC. ENCOR is also the qualifying exam to attempt the CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure lab.

How long is the certification valid?

Cisco professional certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass. You can recertify by passing any current CCNP concentration or core exam, the CCIE written or lab, or by combining Continuing Education credits earned through approved Cisco activities such as instructor-led training, Cisco U content, or DevNet learning paths.