Quick Answer
The correct answers are _count and myVar. In Python, valid variable names must start with either a letter or an underscore, followed by any combination of letters, digits, or underscores—no spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @ or $ are allowed. This question tests your understanding of Python’s identifier rules, a core topic on the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer PCEP exam, where you must distinguish valid names from common traps like starting with a digit (e.g., 2ndPlace) or using a reserved keyword. A frequent pitfall is forgetting that underscores are fully permitted and even encouraged for special naming conventions, such as _private or __dunder__ methods. To remember the rule, think of the mnemonic “Letter or underscore first, then digits are fine—no symbols, no spaces, no keywords in line.”
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.
Which TWO of the following are valid variable names in Python? (Choose two.)
class
Why wrong: 'class' is a reserved keyword.
_count
Underscore is allowed at start.
my-var
Why wrong: Hyphen is not allowed; use underscore.
2ndPlace
Why wrong: Cannot start with a digit.
myVar
Starts with letter, contains letters and uppercase.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
_count
Option B (_count) is correct because in Python, variable names can start with an underscore, and underscores are allowed anywhere in the name. Option E (myVar) is correct because it starts with a letter and contains only letters and digits, which is valid. Both follow Python's identifier rules: must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, digits, or underscores.
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.
class
Why it's wrong here
'class' is a reserved keyword.
_count
Why this is correct
Underscore is allowed at start.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
my-var
Why it's wrong here
Hyphen is not allowed; use underscore.
2ndPlace
Why it's wrong here
Cannot start with a digit.
myVar
Why this is correct
Starts with letter, contains letters and uppercase.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the rule that hyphens are not allowed in variable names, as candidates may confuse them with underscores or assume they are valid like in some other languages.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
'class' is a reserved keyword.
Detailed technical explanation
Python's identifier rules are defined in PEP 3131, allowing Unicode letters, digits, and underscores, but the first character must be a letter or underscore. Hyphens are interpreted as the subtraction operator, so 'my-var' would be parsed as 'my' minus 'var', causing a NameError if the variables are not defined. In real-world code, using underscores for private attributes (e.g., _count) is a common convention, though not enforced by the interpreter.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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: _count — Option B (_count) is correct because in Python, variable names can start with an underscore, and underscores are allowed anywhere in the name. Option E (myVar) is correct because it starts with a letter and contains only letters and digits, which is valid. Both follow Python's identifier rules: must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, digits, or underscores.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are valid variable names in Python? (Choose two.)
easyWhy B: Option B is correct because 'data1' starts with a letter and contains only letters and digits, which is allowed by Python's identifier rules. Python variable names must begin with a letter (a-z, A-Z) or underscore, and can be followed by letters, digits, or underscores.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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