This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of data types, variables, basic i/o and operators. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. ``` >>> print(3 * 'abc') ```
Refer to the exhibit. What is the output of the Python code?
Refer to the exhibit. ``` >>> print(3 * 'abc') ```
['abc', 'abc', 'abc']
Why wrong: List, not string.
abcabc abc
Why wrong: Does not include space.
abc abc abc
Why wrong: Spaces are not inserted.
abcabcabc
Correct: repeats string 3 times.
Answer choices
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 uses the multiplication operator on a list containing the string 'abc'. In Python, multiplying a list by an integer repeats the list's elements that many times. The result is a new list with three copies of 'abc', which when printed directly shows ['abc', 'abc', 'abc']. However, the question asks for the output of the code, and the correct output is the string representation of the list, which is 'abcabcabc' only if the list is joined without spaces. But the code does not join the list; it prints the list object, so the output is actually ['abc', 'abc', 'abc']. Wait, the correct answer according to the options is D, which suggests the code prints the concatenated string 'abcabcabc'. This implies the code might be using the multiplication operator on a string, not a list. The exhibit likely shows `print('abc' * 3)`, which outputs 'abcabcabc'.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse string multiplication with list multiplication or expect spaces between repetitions, but Python's string multiplication concatenates the string directly without any separator.
Detailed technical explanation
In Python, the `*` operator is overloaded for sequences. For strings, `'abc' * 3` creates a new string by repeating the original string three times, resulting in 'abcabcabc'. This is a fundamental behavior of sequence repetition, which also works for lists and tuples. Understanding this operator is crucial for efficient string manipulation and list initialization in Python.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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FAQ
Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — This question tests Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: abcabcabc — The code uses the multiplication operator on a list containing the string 'abc'. In Python, multiplying a list by an integer repeats the list's elements that many times. The result is a new list with three copies of 'abc', which when printed directly shows ['abc', 'abc', 'abc']. However, the question asks for the output of the code, and the correct output is the string representation of the list, which is 'abcabcabc' only if the list is joined without spaces. But the code does not join the list; it prints the list object, so the output is actually ['abc', 'abc', 'abc']. Wait, the correct answer according to the options is D, which suggests the code prints the concatenated string 'abcabcabc'. This implies the code might be using the multiplication operator on a string, not a list. The exhibit likely shows `print('abc' * 3)`, which outputs 'abcabcabc'.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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