PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

Exhibit

>>> my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
>>> for i in range(len(my_list)):
...     if my_list[i] % 2 == 0:
...         my_list[i] = my_list[i] ** 2
...     else:
...         my_list[i] = my_list[i] ** 3
>>> my_list
[1, 4, 27, 16, 125]

Refer to the exhibit. What is the final value of my_list?

⚠ Common exam trap

A common mix-up: candidates assume the exponent is fixed (e.g., 2 or 3) rather than recognizing that the exponent changes with each iteration, leading them to pick the squaring or cubing options.

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

✓

[1, 4, 27, 16, 125]

The code iterates over indices 0 to 4 of my_list, and for each index i, it assigns my_list[i] = (i+1) ** (i+1). This computes 1^1, 2^2, 3^3, 4^4, 5^5, resulting in [1, 4, 27, 16, 125]. Option D is correct because the exponentiation uses the index-based value, not the original list element.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Why it's wrong here
The list is modified.
✗
[1, 4, 9, 16, 25]
Why it's wrong here
This would be all squares.
✗
[1, 8, 27, 64, 125]
Why it's wrong here
This would be all cubes.
✓
[1, 4, 27, 16, 125]
Why this is correct
Even numbers (2,4) are squared, odd numbers (1,3,5) are cubed.

Go deeper

2 more ways this is tested on PCEP

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Given the code: my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. What is the output of print(my_list[-3:-1])?

hard

A.[4, 5]
✓ B.[3, 4]
C.[2, 3]
D.[3, 4, 5]

Why B: Python list slicing with negative indices counts from the end of the list. my_list[-3:-1] starts at index -3 (value 3) and goes up to but does not include index -1 (value 5), so it returns [3, 4].

Variation 2. Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

easy

A.[1, 2, 3]
B.[0, 1, 2]
✓ C.[1, 2]
D.[2, 3]

Why C: The code creates a list [1,2,3] and uses slicing with start index 0 and end index 2 (exclusive), extracting elements at indices 0 and 1, which are 1 and 2. Therefore, the output is [1,2].

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.

PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question

Exhibit

Why each option matters

Option-by-option breakdown

Related to this question

2 more ways this is tested on PCEP