PCEP Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic Practice Question
This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of control flow, loops, lists and logic. 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.
Exhibit
>>> data = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
>>> result = []
>>> for val in data:
... if val > 25:
... result.append(val * 2)
... elif val < 15:
... result.append(val + 5)
... else:
... result.append(val)
>>> print(result)
Refer to the exhibit. What is the output of the code?
Exhibit
>>> data = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
>>> result = []
>>> for val in data:
... if val > 25:
... result.append(val * 2)
... elif val < 15:
... result.append(val + 5)
... else:
... result.append(val)
>>> print(result)
A
[10, 20, 60, 80, 100]
Why wrong: Incorrect because it shows 10 unchanged, but the code adds 5 to 10, resulting in 15.
B
[15, 20, 30, 40, 50]
Why wrong: Incorrect because it shows the original list values, ignoring the multiplication for elements >20.
C
[15, 25, 60, 80, 100]
Why wrong: Incorrect because it shows 25 for the second element, but 20 should remain unchanged.
D
[15, 20, 60, 80, 100]
Correct as the code produces [15, 20, 60, 80, 100].
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
[15, 20, 60, 80, 100]
The code iterates over the list [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]. For elements greater than 20, it appends the element multiplied by 2. For element 10 (which is less than 20), it increases by 5 and appends 15. For element 20 (equal to 20, not greater), it appends the original value 20. This results in [15, 20, 60, 80, 100], matching option D.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
[10, 20, 60, 80, 100]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because it shows 10 unchanged, but the code adds 5 to 10, resulting in 15.
✗
[15, 20, 30, 40, 50]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because it shows the original list values, ignoring the multiplication for elements >20.
✗
[15, 25, 60, 80, 100]
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because it shows 25 for the second element, but 20 should remain unchanged.
✓
[15, 20, 60, 80, 100]
Why this is correct
Correct as the code produces [15, 20, 60, 80, 100].
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between `>` and `>=` — candidates mistakenly treat `20 > 20` as `True` and multiply 20, or forget that the `else` branch (implicitly) appends the original value unchanged.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect because it shows 10 unchanged, but the code adds 5 to 10, resulting in 15.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The code uses a `for` loop with an `if` statement inside to conditionally modify elements. The condition `x > 20` is evaluated for each integer; for `10` and `20`, the condition is `False`, so the original value is appended. For `30`, `40`, and `50`, the condition is `True`, so `x * 2` is appended. This demonstrates how list comprehension could be written as `[x if x <= 20 else x*2 for x in [10,20,30,40,50]]`. In real-world scenarios, such conditional logic is used for data cleaning or transformation, like normalizing sensor readings.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic — This question tests Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: [15, 20, 60, 80, 100] — The code iterates over the list [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]. For elements greater than 20, it appends the element multiplied by 2. For element 10 (which is less than 20), it increases by 5 and appends 15. For element 20 (equal to 20, not greater), it appends the original value 20. This results in [15, 20, 60, 80, 100], matching option D.
What should I do if I get this PCEP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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