Question 8 of 498
PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
A function sometimes returns None. Which expression correctly checks if the return value is not None?
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the distinction between identity (`is`) and equality (`==`) operators, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly use `!= None` (value comparison) instead of `is not None` (identity comparison), or confuse truthiness checks with `None` checks.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
if val is not None:
The `is not` operator is the proper way to check identity inequality in Python. Since `None` is a singleton, comparing with `is not` ensures you are checking whether the value is literally the `None` object, which is the recommended and most readable approach for `None` checks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
if not val is None:
Why it's wrong here
Works but less readable.
- ✗
if val != None:
Why it's wrong here
Works but not idiomatic; PEP 8 recommends 'is not'.
- ✓
if val is not None:
Why this is correct
Correct and idiomatic.
- ✗
if val:
Why it's wrong here
False if val is None, also false for 0, empty string, etc.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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