This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of modules and packages. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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
Consider the following package structure:
mypackage/
__init__.py
module_a.py
subpackage/
__init__.py
module_b.py
In module_b.py, the developer writes: from mypackage import module_a. When running a script that imports mypackage, an ImportError occurs. Which change should solve the issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use from .. import module_a (relative import).
Option A is correct because the error occurs when module_b.py is inside the mypackage directory but uses an absolute import (from mypackage import module_a) that fails when mypackage is not on sys.path or is being executed as a script. Changing to a relative import (from .. import module_a) makes the import relative to the current module's location, allowing module_b to import module_a from its parent package without relying on the package being installed or on sys.path.
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.
✓
Use from .. import module_a (relative import).
Why this is correct
Relative imports are the correct way to reference sibling or parent modules inside a package.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add 'module_a' to __all__ in mypackage/__init__.py.
Why it's wrong here
__all__ controls from mypackage import * behavior, not direct imports.
✗
Move module_b.py to the mypackage directory.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the structure but does not fix the import within subpackage.
✗
Use import mypackage.module_a instead.
Why it's wrong here
This may work but is not the best practice; relative imports are preferred within packages.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the distinction between absolute and relative imports in the context of package-internal scripts, where candidates mistakenly think that adding __all__ or changing the import syntax to a dotted path will fix an ImportError caused by sys.path issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Relative imports use the __package__ attribute of the importing module to resolve the parent package, which works even when the package is not installed or is executed as a script (e.g., python -m mypackage.module_b). Under the hood, Python's import system uses sys.path and the module's __name__ to determine the package hierarchy; relative imports bypass sys.path by navigating the package tree directly, making them essential for intra-package imports in scripts run from within the package directory.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Modules and Packages — This question tests Modules and Packages — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use from .. import module_a (relative import). — Option A is correct because the error occurs when module_b.py is inside the mypackage directory but uses an absolute import (from mypackage import module_a) that fails when mypackage is not on sys.path or is being executed as a script. Changing to a relative import (from .. import module_a) makes the import relative to the current module's location, allowing module_b to import module_a from its parent package without relying on the package being installed or on sys.path.
What should I do if I get this PCAP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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