Question 4 of 510
Control Flow, Loops, Lists and LogiceasyMultiple 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.

What does the following code print?

x = 10

if x > 5:
    if x > 15:
        print("A")

else:

print("B")

else:

print("C")

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

B

The code first checks if x > 5, which is true because x = 10. Then it checks if x > 15, which is false, so the else branch of the inner if-else executes, printing 'B'. The outer else is skipped entirely.

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

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • No output

    Why it's wrong here

    There is output.

  • C

    Why it's wrong here

    Would require x<=5.

  • B

    Why this is correct

    Correct output.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • A

    Why it's wrong here

    Would require x>15.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Python Institute often tests the misconception that the outer else (printing 'C') will execute when the inner condition fails, but candidates must remember that the outer else only runs if the outer condition is false.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    There is output.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This demonstrates nested if-else control flow in Python, where the inner condition is evaluated only when the outer condition is true. The indentation defines the block structure; Python uses indentation rather than braces to delimit blocks, making proper nesting critical. In real-world scenarios, such nested conditionals are common for multi-level validation, like checking user roles before permissions.

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: B — The code first checks if x > 5, which is true because x = 10. Then it checks if x > 15, which is false, so the else branch of the inner if-else executes, printing 'B'. The outer else is skipped entirely.

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: Jun 30, 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.