PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
After 'x = 5; x += 3', what is the value of x?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `+=` with simple assignment or with other operators like `*=` or `=`, leading them to pick the original value, the right operand alone, or a product instead of the sum.
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
✓
8
The compound assignment operator `+=` adds the right operand to the current value of the variable and assigns the result back. Starting with `x = 5`, the statement `x += 3` is equivalent to `x = x + 3`, which computes `5 + 3 = 8` and stores it in `x`.
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 it's wrong here
The augmented assignment x += 3 adds 3 to the existing value, so x becomes 8; 5 is the value before the operation executes. It is tempting because 5 is the variable's initial value, and would be correct if the question asked for x before the statement ran.
- ✓
8
Why this is correct
The augmented assignment x += 3 is equivalent to x = x + 3. With x initially 5, the expression evaluates to 8, which is stored back into x. The variable therefore holds 8 after execution.
- ✗
3
Why it's wrong here
The += operator adds the right operand to the variable's current value, so x becomes 8, not 3; 3 is the amount added. It is tempting because 3 appears in the expression, and would be correct if the question asked for the increment rather than the resulting value.
- ✗
15
Why it's wrong here
Augmented assignment performs addition, not multiplication, so x becomes 8 rather than 15; 15 is the product of 5 and 3. It is tempting because the operands 5 and 3 are both present, and would be correct if the statement were x *= 3.
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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.