This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of computer programming and python fundamentals. 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.
A junior developer writes the following code to swap two variables: a = 5; b = 10; a = b; b = a. When they print a and b, what is the output?
10 10
After a = b, a becomes 10. Then b = a sets b to 10, so both are 10.
5 5
Why wrong: This would only happen if both assignments were reversed, not the case here.
5 10
Why wrong: This would be the output if the swap were done correctly, but the code does not achieve a proper swap.
10 5
Why wrong: This would require a temporary variable or tuple unpacking; the given code does not produce this result.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
10 10
The code first assigns b's value (10) to a, so a becomes 10. Then b is assigned the value of a (which is now 10), so b becomes 10. Thus both a and b are 10.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
10 10
Why this is correct
After a = b, a becomes 10. Then b = a sets b to 10, so both are 10.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
5 5
Why it's wrong here
This would only happen if both assignments were reversed, not the case here.
5 10
Why it's wrong here
This would be the output if the swap were done correctly, but the code does not achieve a proper swap.
10 5
Why it's wrong here
This would require a temporary variable or tuple unpacking; the given code does not produce this result.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This would be the output if the swap were done correctly, but the code does not achieve a proper swap.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PCEP exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which PCEP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals — This question tests Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 10 10 — The code first assigns b's value (10) to a, so a becomes 10. Then b is assigned the value of a (which is now 10), so b becomes 10. Thus both a and b are 10.
Identify which PCEP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PCEP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCEP exam.
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