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(2 ** 3 ** 2)
What is the output?
Refer to the exhibit. print(2 ** 3 ** 2)
256
Why wrong: Incorrect.
36
Why wrong: Incorrect.
512
Correct. Exponentiation is right-associative.
64
Why wrong: Incorrect. This would be (2 ** 3) ** 2.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
512
The expression `2 ** 3 ** 2` is evaluated as `2 ** (3 ** 2)` because exponentiation in Python is right-associative. First, `3 ** 2` computes to 9, then `2 ** 9` yields 512. Thus, option C is correct.
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.
256
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect.
36
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect.
512
Why this is correct
Correct. Exponentiation is right-associative.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
64
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This would be (2 ** 3) ** 2.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the right-associativity of the exponentiation operator, knowing that many candidates assume left-to-right evaluation or confuse it with multiplication/division associativity.
Detailed technical explanation
Python's exponentiation operator `**` follows right-associativity as defined in the language grammar, meaning `a ** b ** c` is parsed as `a ** (b ** c)`. This is consistent with mathematical convention for power towers. In practice, this matters when chaining exponents, such as in cryptographic calculations or scientific computations where order of operations must be precise.
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: 512 — The expression `2 ** 3 ** 2` is evaluated as `2 ** (3 ** 2)` because exponentiation in Python is right-associative. First, `3 ** 2` computes to 9, then `2 ** 9` yields 512. Thus, option C is correct.
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 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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