PCAP Object-Oriented Programming Practice Question
This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of object-oriented programming. 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
class Circle:
def __init__(self, radius):
self._radius = radius
@property
def radius(self):
return self._radius
@radius.setter
def radius(self, value):
if value > 0:
self._radius = value
c = Circle(5)
c.radius = -3
print(c.radius)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
5
Option A is correct because the code defines a class `A` with a class attribute `x = 5`. The `__init__` method sets an instance attribute `self.x = 0`, but the `print` statement accesses `A.x`, which refers to the class attribute, not the instance attribute. Therefore, the output is `5`.
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.
✓
5
Why this is correct
Correct: the assignment is ignored, so _radius stays 5.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
0
Why it's wrong here
No fallback to 0.
✗
-3
Why it's wrong here
Set condition prevents assignment.
✗
AttributeError
Why it's wrong here
Setter exists, so no error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the confusion between class attributes and instance attributes, where candidates mistakenly think `self.x = 0` overrides the class attribute when accessed via the class name, leading them to choose `0` instead of `5`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Python, class attributes are shared across all instances unless shadowed by an instance attribute. Accessing `A.x` directly on the class bypasses any instance-level overrides. This distinction is crucial in object-oriented design, such as when defining default values or constants that should be consistent across all objects, and it is commonly tested in the PCAP exam to assess understanding of attribute lookup order (instance → class → parent class).
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Object-Oriented Programming — This question tests Object-Oriented Programming — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 5 — Option A is correct because the code defines a class `A` with a class attribute `x = 5`. The `__init__` method sets an instance attribute `self.x = 0`, but the `print` statement accesses `A.x`, which refers to the class attribute, not the instance attribute. Therefore, the output is `5`.
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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