Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Real Exam Questions [Jan 2026 Update]

Updated: January 10, 2026

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Our 350-501 exam questions provide authentic, up-to-date content for the Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies certification. Each question is reviewed by certified Cisco professionals and includes verified answers with clear explanations to enhance your understanding of service provider networks, routing, and automation technologies. With access to our exam simulator, you can practice under real exam conditions and confidently prepare to pass on your first attempt.

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What is the Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Exam, and What Will You Learn from It?

The Cisco 350-501 SPCOR (Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies) exam is the core (or “core technology”) exam for the CCNP Service Provider and CCIE Service Provider tracks. It verifies your knowledge and skills in implementing and operating key service provider network technologies, covering architecture, routing, MPLS/segment routing, VPNs, security, automation, and assurance.

By passing this exam, you will demonstrate that you can:

Design and operate service provider core network architectures (e.g. MPLS, SR, unified MPLS)
Configure and troubleshoot routing protocols (OSPF, IS-IS, BGP) in SP environments
Deploy MPLS, segment routing, and traffic engineering solutions
Implement VPN services (L2VPN, L3VPN, EVPN, multicast) in a service provider setting
Apply quality of service (QoS) at scale
Use automation, programmability (REST, NETCONF, gNMI, APIs), and assurance methods
Secure the control, management, and data planes in service provider networks

The exam ensures that you understand both traditional network technologies and how modern programmability and assurance integrate into SP architecture.

Exam Snapshot

Exam Code	350-501
Exam Name	Implementing and Operating Cisco Service Provider Network Core Technologies (SPCOR)
Vendor	Cisco
Version / Year	2025
Average Salary	Not officially published. (There is no reliable public source tying a specific average salary to this exam.)
Cost	USD 400
Exam Format	Multiple choice, scenario, testlets, possibly simulation or lab-style questions (Cisco does not publicly detail the exact breakdown)
Duration (minutes)	120
Delivery Method	Administered via Pearson VUE (proctored) — typical for Cisco professional / core exams
Languages	English only (no known multilingual versions)
Scoring Method	Pass / Fail (Cisco does not publish detailed scoring rubrics)
Passing Score	Not published by Cisco. (Some non-official sources claim ~825/1000, but these are not confirmed)
Prerequisites	Cisco does not mandate formal prerequisites for SPCOR, but a strong foundation in service provider networking (MPLS, BGP, segment routing, QoS, etc.) is highly recommended
Retake Policy	Follows Cisco’s general exam policy: after a failed attempt, wait 5 calendar days to retake; and if you’ve passed, a 180-day wait is often required before re-attempting the same exam number
Target Audience	Network engineers, architects, service provider professionals who design, operate, or support service provider core/transport networks
Certification Validity	3 years (Cisco certifications generally expire / require renewal every 3 years)
Release Date	2024-09-20

Prerequisites Before Taking the 350-501 SPCOR Exam

There are no mandatory prerequisites enforced by Cisco to sit for 350-501, but to prepare well, you should:

Have strong experience or knowledge in IP networking, routing, and service provider technologies
Be familiar with MPLS, traffic engineering, VPNs, and multicast
Understand network security fundamentals (ACLs, control plane protection, uRPF)
Be acquainted with automation / programmability protocols (REST, NETCONF, YANG, gRPC)
Practice in lab environments (emulators, virtual routers, SP topology setups)
Read Cisco’s official exam topics and service provider architecture/design guides

Many candidates first build a foundation via executive-level SP roles or earlier certifications before attempting SPCOR

Main Objectives and Domains You Will Study for 350-501 SPCOR

Based on Cisco’s SPCOR exam topics (v1.1) and public documentation, here are the main domains and approximate weightings:

Domain	Approx Weight	Focus Areas
Architecture	~15 %	SP network design, transport, virtualization, QoS, security
Networking	~30 %	IS-IS, OSPF, BGP, routing policies, high availability
MPLS and Segment Routing	~20 %	MPLS, SR, TE, LDP, segment routing control plane
Services	~20 %	VPNs (L2, L3, EVPN), multicast, Ethernet services
Automation & Assurance	~15 %	APIs, REST/NETCONF, NSO, YANG, telemetry, SNMP, assurance tools

These domains reflect the broad scope of the exam, and cover both traditional SP networking and modern automation / assurance integration.

Topics to Cover in Each SPCOR Exam Domain

Here’s a deeper breakdown of key topics you should master per domain:

1. Architecture

Core SP architectures: Metro Ethernet, MPLS, unified MPLS, SR, SRv
Transport technologies: DWDM, xDSL, DOCSIS, TDM, xPON, optical routing
Mobility and RAN / xHaul transport (5G fronthaul/backhaul
SDN / virtualization: NFV, VNFs, containers, network functions virtualization
QoS architecture (Pipe / Short-Pipe / Uniform, MPLS TE QoS, DiffServ
Security: control plane protection (LPTS, CoPP), BGP/LDP security, management plane, data plane (uRPF, ACLs, RTBH, MACsec)

2. Networking

IS-IS (IPv4, IPv6): adjacency, metrics, multi-topology
OSPF v2/v3: adjacency, area types, metrics, multi-area
BGP (IBGP, EBGP, address families, route advertisement, path attributes
Routing policy / route maps, redistribution, policy language
High availability: NSF/GR, NSR, BFD, link aggregation
IPv6 transition techniques (NAT44, NAT64, DS-Lite, MAP, etc.)

3. MPLS and Segment Routing

MPLS fundamentals: LDP, label assignment, session protection, synchronization
Traffic Engineering (RSVP, FRR)
Segment Routing (SR): segment types, control plane integration (IGP, BGP, IS-IS/OSPF), SR TE, TI-LFA, flex-algorithms, SRv6
PCE / PCC architectures

4. Services

VPN services: EVPN, mVPN, inter-AS VPN, CSC
L2VPN and Carrier Ethernet services: E-Line, E-Tree, E-Access, E-LAN, VLAN tagging, Ethernet OAM, G.8032, 802.1ad / 802.1ah
L3VPN: VRF, PE-CE routing, shared services, route target import/export, redistribution
Multicast: PIM (SM, SSM, BIDIR), IGMP / MLD, multicast in VPNs
QoS services: classification, marking, policing, shaping, congestion avoidance

5. Automation & Assurance

Programmability APIs (REST, NETCONF, gRPC), model-driven data (YANG)
Interpreting external scripts to configure devices via APIs
Network Services Orchestration (NSO) role and high-level integration
Configuration tools: Ansible, Terraform, Chef, Puppet
Secure ZTP (zero-touch provisioning)
Telemetry / assurance: NetFlow / IPFIX, streaming telemetry, SNMP v2/v3, analytics tools

Register and Schedule Your 350-501 SPCOR Exam

To schedule:

Log in or create your Cisco Candidate ID / account
Visit the Cisco 350-501 SPCOR exam page on Cisco’s certification site or via Pearson VUE
Select the test language, date, and delivery mode (in person or online proctored)
Pay the exam fee
Get confirmation and exam day instructions

You typically receive exam results immediately after completion.

350-501 Exam Cost & Discount Options

Standard Price: US $400 (or local equivalent
Discount options might include vendor training bundles, academic or corporate vouchers, or Cisco promotions

Exam Policies You Should Know

Valid government-issued ID required at the exam site or for remote proctoring
No unauthorized materials (notes, devices) allowed
Must follow Cisco’s retake policies and waiting periods
Certification validity: 3 years; recertify via exam or continuing education
Strict rules around exam integrity (no cheating, no content sharing)

What to Expect on Exam Day (350-501)

Duration: 120 minutes
The exam will include multiple-choice, scenario-based, simulation-like questions, and possibly interpretation tasks (e.g. API, telemetry outputs)
Time management is important due to the breadth of topics
You may be asked to analyze scripts, interpret configurations, or reason about automation flows

Study Plan: 5 Tips to Prepare for 350-501

Build a study timeline (8–10 weeks), allocating domains by weight
Use the official SPCOR exam topics PDF as your syllabus
Hands-on labs are critical—deploy routing, MPLS, segment routing, VPNs, telemetry setups
Practice scripts, API calls, telemetry parsing regularly
Take timed practice exams by Cert Empire that mirror the depth and breadth of SPCOR

Pro Tip: Whenever you learn a concept (like segment routing TE or telemetry), immediately build a small lab or use a simulator to test and observe behavior.

Recommended Study Resources for 350-501 SPCOR

Cisco’s official SPCOR (350-501) Exam Topics document
Cisco documentation on SP technologies (MPLS, SR, VPN, telemetry)
Cisco Press: CCNP SPCOR 350-501 Official Cert Guide
Training platforms: INE, CBT Nuggets, Cisco Learning Network
Emulation / lab platforms to practice SP topologies, routers, controllers
Practice exams / question banks that follow the SPCOR blueprint
Study groups / community forums (e.g. Cisco DevNet, Reddit “r/ccnp”)

Career Opportunities After Earning SPCOR (350-501)

With SPCOR certification, you become eligible (or better qualified) for roles like:

Service Provider Network Engineer / Architect
SP Routing & MPLS Specialist
SP Automation / Programmability Engineer (with automation skills)
Solutions Architect in telecom / SP domain
Candidate step toward CCIE Service Provider

When combined with other SP concentration exams or automation certifications, your career path can become quite specialized and advanced.

Certifications to Pursue After 350-501

After passing SPCOR, logical next steps include:

Complete CCNP Service Provider (by adding a concentration exam)
Work toward CCIE Service Provider
Add automation-focused SP certifications (e.g. 300-535 SPAUTO)
Expand into cloud, DevOps, or multi-domain network automation certifications

How 350-501 SPCOR Compares with Other Cisco / Automation Exams

Certification	Focus Area	Difficulty	Best For
Cisco 350-501 SPCOR	Core service provider technologies (routing, MPLS, VPN, automation)	Intermediate to advanced	Engineers working or targeting SP domain
Cisco 300-535 SPAUTO	SP automation & programmability	Advanced	Engineers focusing on automation in SP networks
Cisco 300-435 ENAUTO	Enterprise network automation	Intermediate to advanced	Engineers focusing on enterprise rather than SP
Cisco 350-801 CLCOR	Collaboration / UC core technologies	Intermediate to advanced	Engineers in voice / video / collaboration fields

In other words: SPCOR tests your mastery of SP core networking fundamentals plus automation/assurance, while SPAUTO zooms in on automation.

Why Practice Exam Questions Are Essential for Passing Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Exam in 2026

The Cisco 350-501 SPCOR exam tests advanced networking and automation skills that demand both technical depth and practical understanding. Cert Empire’s Cisco 350-501 Exam Questions replicate the real exam environment, ensuring you’re ready to tackle every question type Cisco presents.

Practicing regularly builds familiarity with configurations, design logic, and troubleshooting approaches, helping you move from memorization to genuine mastery.

Prepare Smarter with Exam Familiar Quiz

The SPCOR exam challenges candidates on complex topics like MPLS, BGP, Segment Routing, and Network Automation. Repeated practice using Cert Empire’s simulated quizzes strengthens your ability to analyze routing logic, recognize configuration errors, and apply automation concepts accurately.

By the time you attempt the real exam, the question flow and terminology will feel completely natural.

Master Every Domain with Real Exam Logic

Cert Empire’s question bank covers every section of the Cisco 350-501 blueprint, including Core Routing, Services, QoS, Security, Network Automation, and Operations. Each domain is weighted according to Cisco’s official structure, ensuring balanced and complete coverage of all tested technologies.

What’s Included in Our Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Exam Prep Material

At Cert Empire, you receive more than just simple exam questions, you gain access to a purpose-built preparation system designed for clarity, consistency, and real progress. Every component supports your journey toward earning the CCNP Service Provider credential efficiently.

PDF Exam Questions

Instant Access: Download instantly after purchase and start your preparation right away.
Study Anywhere: Access your files conveniently on desktop, laptop, or mobile.
Printable Format: Ideal for offline study and personalized note-taking.

Interactive Practice Simulator

Real Exam Mode: Experience a simulation identical to the actual Cisco exam interface.
Flashcard Review: Save challenging questions and revisit them until fully understood.
Progress Tracking: Resume unfinished sessions and monitor your improvement over time.

3 Months of Unlimited Access

You’ll receive three months of unrestricted access to both simulator and PDF versions. This time allows repeated full-length practice sessions, domain-specific review, and complete exam familiarization before your test date.

Regular Updates

Our Cisco-certified content team continuously monitors blueprint revisions and updates the Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Exam Questions accordingly. Each update reflects Cisco’s current technologies, ensuring every question matches the latest exam objectives and terminology.

Free Practice Tests

Take a free SPCOR practice test from the right sidebar to preview the content and exam difficulty. The free sample gives you insight into our file quality, explanation style, and real-exam structure before you buy the complete version.

Free Exam Guides

Visit the Cert Empire blog to access free Cisco Service Provider study guides, tips, and preparation articles. From routing deep dives to automation tutorials, our blog helps candidates strengthen understanding beyond simple Q&A practice, and it’s accessible to everyone.

Important Note

Cert Empire’s Cisco 350-501 SPCOR Exam Questions are thoroughly reviewed and updated by certified Cisco engineers.

✔ Each question includes clear reasoning for correct and incorrect answers.
✔ Every solution references official Cisco documentation for accuracy.
✔ The simulator and PDF versions are mobile-optimized for convenient study.

The SPCOR certification remains one of the most respected Cisco credentials for service provider engineers, proving your ability to operate, automate, and optimize large-scale networks.

Pass your Cisco certification exam with confidence by preparing using our expertly designed and ethically crafted resources.