PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. ``` >>> print(3 * 'abc') ```
Refer to the exhibit. What is the output of the Python code?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse string multiplication with list multiplication or expect spaces between repetitions, but Python's string multiplication concatenates the string directly without any separator.
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
✓
abcabcabc
The code `print('abc' * 3)` uses the multiplication operator on a string. In Python, multiplying a string by an integer repeats the string that many times, concatenating the copies without any separator. Therefore, `'abc' * 3` produces the string `'abcabcabc'`, which is printed. The correct output is `abcabcabc` (without quotes).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
['abc', 'abc', 'abc']
Why it's wrong here
List, not string.
- ✗
abcabc abc
Why it's wrong here
Does not include space.
- ✗
abc abc abc
Why it's wrong here
Spaces are not inserted.
- ✓
abcabcabc
Why this is correct
Correct: repeats string 3 times.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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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.