Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →- A
'abababc'
Correct result.
- B
'ababc'
Why wrong: Incorrect number of repetitions.
- C
TypeError
Why wrong: No error occurs.
- D
'ababab c'
Why wrong: No space is added.
Question 168 of 510
PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
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.
What is the output of the following code?
print(3 * 'ab' + '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
✓
'abababc'
The expression `3 * 'ab' + 'c'` first multiplies the string `'ab'` by 3, resulting in `'ababab'` (string repetition), and then concatenates `'c'` using the `+` operator, producing `'abababc'`. In Python, the `*` operator on a string and an integer repeats the string that many times, and `+` concatenates strings.
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.
- ✓
'abababc'
Why this is correct
Correct result.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
'ababc'
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect number of repetitions.
- ✗
TypeError
Why it's wrong here
No error occurs.
- ✗
'ababab c'
Why it's wrong here
No space is added.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Python Institute often tests the order of operations and the fact that `*` binds tighter than `+` in Python, leading candidates to mistakenly think the expression is evaluated as `3 * ('ab' + 'c')` or to forget that string repetition produces a single concatenated string without separators.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
String repetition (`*`) and concatenation (`+`) are both overloaded operators in Python, defined in the `str` class's `__mul__` and `__add__` methods. The `*` operator is commutative for strings and integers, so `3 * 'ab'` is equivalent to `'ab' * 3`. This behavior is part of Python's sequence protocol, which also applies to lists and tuples, making it a versatile tool for generating repeated patterns in data processing.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCEP question test?
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 'abababc' — The expression `3 * 'ab' + 'c'` first multiplies the string `'ab'` by 3, resulting in `'ababab'` (string repetition), and then concatenates `'c'` using the `+` operator, producing `'abababc'`. In Python, the `*` operator on a string and an integer repeats the string that many times, and `+` concatenates strings.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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