PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
A programmer writes: result = 'Py' * 2 + 'thon'. What is the value of result?
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the misconception that the * operator concatenates the string with the numeric value as a string (e.g., 'Py' * 2 becomes 'Py2'), or that it only repeats the last character, leading candidates to choose option A or C.
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
✓
'Python'
In Python, the * operator on a string repeats it, and the + operator concatenates strings. 'Py' * 2 produces 'PyPy', then 'PyPy' + 'thon' results in 'Python'. This follows Python's operator precedence where * has higher precedence than +, so the multiplication is evaluated first.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
'Py2thon'
Why it's wrong here
String multiplication does not insert number
- ✓
'Python'
Why this is correct
Correct: 'Py'*2 = 'PyPy', plus 'thon' = 'Python'
- ✗
'Pyththon'
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect repetition count
- ✗
'PyPy'
Why it's wrong here
Missing concatenation with 'thon'
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.