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Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

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

>>> 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] + 1
>>> print(my_list)

Refer to the exhibit. What is the output of the code?

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] + 1
>>> print(my_list)

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

✓

[2, 4, 4, 8, 6]

The code uses a for loop to iterate over the list [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] and multiplies each element by 2, but the result is assigned to the same index in the original list, modifying it in place. The output is [2, 4, 6, 8, 10] only if the loop correctly updates all elements; however, the exhibit shows a common mistake where the loop variable 'i' is used incorrectly (e.g., iterating over indices but modifying the wrong element), leading to [2, 4, 4, 8, 6] as the actual output due to a logic error in the code.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

PCEP often tests the distinction between iterating over list elements directly (for x in lst) versus iterating over indices (for i in range(len(lst))), and the trap here is that candidates assume the loop doubles every element correctly without checking for off-by-one or assignment errors in the code.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In Python, when iterating over a list with a for loop using 'for i in range(len(lst))', the variable 'i' is an index, not the element value. A common mistake is to use 'lst[i] = lst[i] * 2' correctly, but if the code mistakenly uses 'lst[i] = lst[i] * 2' with a different variable or misaligned index (e.g., using 'i' as the value instead of index), it can produce unexpected results like [2, 4, 4, 8, 6] due to overwriting elements in a non-sequential manner. This highlights the importance of understanding list mutability and index-based assignment in loops.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this PCEP question test?

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: [2, 4, 4, 8, 6] — The code uses a for loop to iterate over the list [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] and multiplies each element by 2, but the result is assigned to the same index in the original list, modifying it in place. The output is [2, 4, 6, 8, 10] only if the loop correctly updates all elements; however, the exhibit shows a common mistake where the loop variable 'i' is used incorrectly (e.g., iterating over indices but modifying the wrong element), leading to [2, 4, 4, 8, 6] as the actual output due to a logic error in the code.

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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

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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.