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Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals practice questions

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17 questionsDomain: Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals

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What the exam tests

What to know about Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals

RAM tests your ability to identify, install, and troubleshoot memory types, speeds, and configurations for PCs.

Identifying DDR3 vs DDR4 vs DDR5 physical and electrical differences

Matching RAM speed (MHz) to motherboard and CPU support

Calculating total memory capacity from module size and slots

Troubleshooting common RAM errors like beep codes and blue screens

Why learners struggle

Why Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals questions are commonly missed

RAM questions are commonly missed because learners confuse physical form factors (DIMM vs SO-DIMM) and fail to distinguish between memory speed (MHz) and latency (CL).

·DIMM vs SO-DIMM — desktop vs laptop form factor confusion
·DDR3 vs DDR4 vs DDR5 — notch position and voltage differences
·MHz vs CL — speed vs latency trade-offs in performance
·Single-channel vs dual-channel — bandwidth impact misconception
·ECC vs non-ECC — error correction support in servers vs desktops
·32-bit vs 64-bit — maximum addressable RAM limit

Watch out for

Common Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals exam traps

▸Confusing DDR3 and DDR4 notch positions and voltage requirements
▸Assuming dual-channel requires identical size modules only
▸Mixing ECC and non-ECC RAM in a single system
▸Forgetting that 32-bit OS limits usable RAM to 4 GB

Practice set

Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals questions

17 questions · select your answer, then reveal the explanation

Question 1hardmulti select

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Which TWO of the following code snippets will result in a SyntaxError? (Choose two.)

Trap 1: a = 1; b = 2

Valid syntax: multiple statements separated by semicolons are allowed on one line.

Trap 2: print('hello')

Valid syntax: `print('hello')` is a correct function call in Python 3.

Trap 3: for i in range(5): print(i)

Valid syntax: the `for` loop has a colon and proper indentation.

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A
a = 1; b = 2
Why wrong: Valid syntax: multiple statements separated by semicolons are allowed on one line.
B
print('hello')
Why wrong: Valid syntax: `print('hello')` is a correct function call in Python 3.
C
for i in range(5): print(i)
Why wrong: Valid syntax: the `for` loop has a colon and proper indentation.
D
if x > 5 print('big')
SyntaxError: the `if` statement is missing a colon after the condition.
E
if x > 5: print('big')
Why wrong: Valid syntax: the `if` statement has a colon and proper indentation.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 2mediummultiple choice

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What will be printed?

```python my_list = [] my_list.append('192.168.1.10') my_list.append('255.255.255.0') my_list.append('192.168.1.1')

print(my_list)

```

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
A network engineer runs 'ipconfig' on Windows and observes:
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:
   IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.10
   Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
   Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
The Python code:
import re
output = "..." # contains the above text
pattern = r"\d+\.\d+\.\d+\.\d+"
match = re.findall(pattern, output)
print(match)
--- End of exhibit ---

Trap 1: ['255.255.255.0']

Incorrect. This shows only one element, but the list contains three elements after three append operations.

Trap 2: ['192.168.1.10']

Incorrect. This shows only the first element appended, missing the last two.

Trap 3: ['192.168.1.10', '192.168.1.1']

Incorrect. This is missing the middle element '255.255.255.0'.

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A
['255.255.255.0']
Why wrong: Incorrect. This shows only one element, but the list contains three elements after three append operations.
B
['192.168.1.10']
Why wrong: Incorrect. This shows only the first element appended, missing the last two.
C
['192.168.1.10', '255.255.255.0', '192.168.1.1']
Correct. The list prints all three elements in the order they were appended: '192.168.1.10', '255.255.255.0', and '192.168.1.1'.
D
['192.168.1.10', '192.168.1.1']
Why wrong: Incorrect. This is missing the middle element '255.255.255.0'.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 3mediummultiple choice

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Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

Exhibit

def calculate(a, b=2):
    return a * b
print(calculate(3))
print(calculate(3,4))

Trap 1: 6 and 7

Incorrect second result.

Trap 2: 9 and 12

First result should be 6, not 9.

Trap 3: 3 and 3

Ignored the multiplication.

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A
6 and 12
Correct outputs based on calculation.
B
6 and 7
Why wrong: Incorrect second result.
C
9 and 12
Why wrong: First result should be 6, not 9.
D
3 and 3
Why wrong: Ignored the multiplication.

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Question 4easymultiple choice

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Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

Exhibit

def square(x):
    return x ** 2
result = square(4)
print(result)

Trap 1: 2

Confusion with square root.

Trap 2: 4

No operation performed.

Trap 3: 8

This would be 4*2, not square.

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A
2
Why wrong: Confusion with square root.
B
16
Correct: 4 squared is 16.
C
4
Why wrong: No operation performed.
D
8
Why wrong: This would be 4*2, not square.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 5easymultiple choice

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A developer writes a script that prompts the user for their age and stores it in a variable. Which code snippet correctly converts the input to an integer?

Trap 1: age = int(input)

input is not called, just passed to int.

Trap 2: age = input("Enter age: ", int)

input() does not accept a type as second argument.

Trap 3: age = input(int("Enter age: "))

int() is applied to the string, not to the input.

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A
age = int(input)
Why wrong: input is not called, just passed to int.
B
age = int(input("Enter age: "))
Correctly converts the input string to an integer.
C
age = input("Enter age: ", int)
Why wrong: input() does not accept a type as second argument.
D
age = input(int("Enter age: "))
Why wrong: int() is applied to the string, not to the input.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 6easymultiple choice

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Which of the following is the correct way to define a function that takes no arguments and returns the value 42?

Trap 1: function f(): return 42

Incorrect because it uses the keyword 'function' instead of 'def' and is missing the colon.

Trap 2: def f() return 42

Incorrect because it is missing the colon after the parentheses.

Trap 3: def f: return 42

Incorrect because it is missing the parentheses after the function name.

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A
function f(): return 42
Why wrong: Incorrect because it uses the keyword 'function' instead of 'def' and is missing the colon.
B
def f() return 42
Why wrong: Incorrect because it is missing the colon after the parentheses.
C
def f: return 42
Why wrong: Incorrect because it is missing the parentheses after the function name.
D
def f(): return 42
Correct because it uses `def`, parentheses, colon, and the return statement.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 7mediummultiple choice

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A program uses a variable named 'list' that shadows the built-in list type. Later, the code tries to create a new list using list([1,2,3]) but gets a TypeError. What is the most likely cause?

Trap 1: The argument [1,2,3] is invalid because it contains integers.

Integers are valid elements.

Trap 2: The list constructor expects a tuple, not a list.

list() accepts any iterable, including a list.

Trap 3: The code is missing an import for the list type.

list is a built-in, no import needed.

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A
The argument [1,2,3] is invalid because it contains integers.
Why wrong: Integers are valid elements.
B
The variable 'list' is now an integer or other non-callable type.
Because 'list' was reassigned, it no longer refers to the built-in function.
C
The list constructor expects a tuple, not a list.
Why wrong: list() accepts any iterable, including a list.
D
The code is missing an import for the list type.
Why wrong: list is a built-in, no import needed.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 8mediummultiple choice

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A programmer writes: x = 5; y = 2; result = x / y. What is the type of result?

Trap 1: int

Division yields float even if numbers are integers.

Trap 2: str

Not a string.

Trap 3: complex

Not complex.

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A
int
Why wrong: Division yields float even if numbers are integers.
B
float
True: / operator returns float.
C
str
Why wrong: Not a string.
D
complex
Why wrong: Not complex.

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Question 9hardmultiple choice

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Given the code: a = [1, 2, 3]; b = a; b.append(4). What is the value of a?

Trap 1: Error

No error.

Trap 2: [1, 2, 3]

b is not a copy; it's a reference.

Trap 3: [1, 2, 3, [4]]

append adds element, not nested list.

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A
[1, 2, 3, 4]
Both a and b refer to the same list.
B
Error
Why wrong: No error.
C
[1, 2, 3]
Why wrong: b is not a copy; it's a reference.
D
[1, 2, 3, [4]]
Why wrong: append adds element, not nested list.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 10easymultiple choice

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Which of the following statements about Python indentation is true?

Trap 1: Indentation is optional but recommended.

It's required.

Trap 2: You can mix tabs and spaces freely.

Mixing can cause IndentationError.

Trap 3: Indentation only matters for loops and conditionals.

It matters for all blocks (functions, classes, etc.).

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A
Indentation is optional but recommended.
Why wrong: It's required.
B
You can mix tabs and spaces freely.
Why wrong: Mixing can cause IndentationError.
C
Indentation must be consistent within a block.
Correct.
D
Indentation only matters for loops and conditionals.
Why wrong: It matters for all blocks (functions, classes, etc.).

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Question 11mediummultiple choice

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A developer needs to iterate over the indices of a list named 'items' and print each index and its corresponding value. Which loop construct is most appropriate?

Trap 1: for val in items: print(items.index(val), val)

index() is inefficient and fails on duplicates.

Trap 2: for i in range(len(items)): print(i, items[i])

Works but not the most Pythonic.

Trap 3: for i in items: print(i)

Only prints values, not indices.

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A
for val in items: print(items.index(val), val)
Why wrong: index() is inefficient and fails on duplicates.
B
for i in range(len(items)): print(i, items[i])
Why wrong: Works but not the most Pythonic.
C
for i, val in enumerate(items): print(i, val)
Pythonic and direct.
D
for i in items: print(i)
Why wrong: Only prints values, not indices.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 12hardmultiple choice

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What is the output of: print(2 3 2)?

Trap 1: 12

Incorrect.

Trap 2: 64

That would be (2**3)**2 = 64, but associativity is right.

Trap 3: 256

Incorrect.

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A
512
2**(3**2) = 2**9 = 512.
B
12
Why wrong: Incorrect.
C
64
Why wrong: That would be (2**3)**2 = 64, but associativity is right.
D
256
Why wrong: Incorrect.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 13mediummultiple choice

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A student writes the code: x = 10; if x > 5: print("big"); else: print("small"). What is the output?

Trap 1: small

Condition false.

Trap 2: SyntaxError

Syntax is valid.

Trap 3: big small

Only one branch executed.

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A
small
Why wrong: Condition false.
B
SyntaxError
Why wrong: Syntax is valid.
C
big small
Why wrong: Only one branch executed.
D
big
Condition true.

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Question 14easymulti select

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Which TWO of the following are valid Python variable names? (Choose two.)

Trap 1: my-var

Hyphen not allowed.

Trap 2: 2nd_place

Starts with digit.

Trap 3: class

Reserved keyword.

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A
my-var
Why wrong: Hyphen not allowed.
B
my_var
Valid.
C
2nd_place
Why wrong: Starts with digit.
D
_count
Valid.
E
class
Why wrong: Reserved keyword.

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Question 15mediummulti select

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Which THREE of the following are Python data types? (Choose three.)

Trap 1: char

Python does not have char; use string of length 1.

Trap 2: record

Not a built-in type.

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A
float
Built-in numeric type.
B
list
Built-in sequence type.
C
char
Why wrong: Python does not have char; use string of length 1.
D
dict
Built-in mapping type.
E
record
Why wrong: Not a built-in type.

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Question 16mediummulti select

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Which FOUR of the following are valid ways to create a list with elements 1, 2, 3? (Choose four.)

Trap 1: list(1, 2, 3)

Invalid. The list() constructor takes only one iterable argument, but here multiple arguments are passed.

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A
[1, 2, 3,]
Correct. A trailing comma is allowed in Python list literals, so [1, 2, 3,] creates a list with elements 1, 2, 3.
B
list(range(1, 4))
Correct. list(range(1, 4)) generates numbers 1 through 3 and creates the list [1, 2, 3].
C
[1, 2, 3]
Correct. [1, 2, 3] is the standard literal syntax for creating a list with those elements.
D
list(1, 2, 3)
Why wrong: Invalid. The list() constructor takes only one iterable argument, but here multiple arguments are passed.
E
list((1, 2, 3))
Invalid for this question. While list((1, 2, 3)) technically produces the list [1, 2, 3], it is a conversion from a tuple, not a direct list creation method. The question expects only literal or range-based constructions.

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Question 17hardmultiple choice

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A junior developer is working on a script that processes user data. The script reads a CSV file into a list of dictionaries. Each dictionary represents a user with keys 'name', 'age', and 'email'. The developer needs to filter out users under 18 and store their names in a list. The current code is:

users = [{'name': 'Alice', 'age': 17, 'email': 'alice@example.com'}, {'name': 'Bob', 'age': 22, 'email': 'bob@example.com'}]

minors = []

for user in users:
    if user['age'] < 18:

minors.append(user['name'])

print(minors)

The code works, but the senior developer says it is not idiomatic and suggests a more concise solution. Which of the following approaches is the best replacement?

Trap 1: minors = [] for i in range(len(users)): if users[i]['age'] <…

Same as original but uses index, not idiomatic.

Trap 2: minors = [user for user in users if user['age'] < 18]

This returns dictionaries, not names.

Trap 3: minors = list(map(lambda u: u['name'], filter(lambda u: u['age'] <…

Works but less readable than comprehension.

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A
minors = [] for i in range(len(users)): if users[i]['age'] < 18: minors.append(users[i]['name'])
Why wrong: Same as original but uses index, not idiomatic.
B
minors = [user for user in users if user['age'] < 18]
Why wrong: This returns dictionaries, not names.
C
minors = list(map(lambda u: u['name'], filter(lambda u: u['age'] < 18, users)))
Why wrong: Works but less readable than comprehension.
D
minors = [user['name'] for user in users if user['age'] < 18]
Concise and idiomatic list comprehension.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the PCEP exam test about Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals?: RAM tests your ability to identify, install, and troubleshoot memory types, speeds, and configurations for PCs.
How should I use these practice questions?: Select your answer before revealing the explanation. Then read why each option is right or wrong — this active recall approach builds retention far faster than re-reading notes.
Can I practise just Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals questions in a focused session?: Yes — the session launcher on this page draws every question from the Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals domain. Use a 10-question session first to gauge your baseline, then move to 20 or 30 once the weak spots are clear.
Where can I practise other PCEP topics?: Use the topic links above to move to related areas, or go back to the PCEP question bank to see all topics.
Are these real exam questions or dumps?: These are original practice questions written to test the same concepts the PCEP exam covers. They are not copied from any real exam or dump site.

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All PCEP questions Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals domain overview PCEP exam guide

Exam traps to avoid

▸Confusing DDR3 and DDR4 notch positions and voltage requirements
▸Assuming dual-channel requires identical size modules only
▸Mixing ECC and non-ECC RAM in a single system
▸Forgetting that 32-bit OS limits usable RAM to 4 GB

Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals practice questions

What to know about Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals

Why Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals questions are commonly missed

Common Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals exam traps

Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals questions

Which TWO of the following code snippets will result in a SyntaxError? (Choose two.)

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?

Exhibit

A developer writes a script that prompts the user for their age and stores it in a variable. Which code snippet correctly converts the input to an integer?

Which of the following is the correct way to define a function that takes no arguments and returns the value 42?

A program uses a variable named 'list' that shadows the built-in list type. Later, the code tries to create a new list using list([1,2,3]) but gets a TypeError. What is the most likely cause?

A programmer writes: x = 5; y = 2; result = x / y. What is the type of result?

Given the code: a = [1, 2, 3]; b = a; b.append(4). What is the value of a?

Which of the following statements about Python indentation is true?

A developer needs to iterate over the indices of a list named 'items' and print each index and its corresponding value. Which loop construct is most appropriate?

What is the output of: print(2 3 2)?

A student writes the code: x = 10; if x > 5: print("big"); else: print("small"). What is the output?

Which TWO of the following are valid Python variable names? (Choose two.)

Which THREE of the following are Python data types? (Choose three.)

Which FOUR of the following are valid ways to create a list with elements 1, 2, 3? (Choose four.)

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