PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question
What is the output of the following code? try: print(1/0); except ZeroDivisionError: print('error'); finally: print('done')
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the mandatory execution order of the finally block, tricking candidates into thinking it only runs when no exception occurs or that it runs before the except block.
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
✓
error done
The code attempts to divide 1 by 0, which raises a ZeroDivisionError. The except block catches this specific exception and prints 'error', then the finally block always executes, printing 'done'. The output is therefore 'error' followed by 'done' on separate lines.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
error done
Why this is correct
Dividing by zero raises ZeroDivisionError, caught by the except block, which prints 'error'. The finally block always executes regardless of exception handling, printing 'done'. This satisfies the stem's requirement to show both the handled exception output and the guaranteed finally output.
- ✗
error
Why it's wrong here
The finally block always executes, so 'done' prints after 'error', making the complete output two lines. 'error' alone omits that trailing line. It is tempting because the except clause does print 'error', and that would be the entire output if no finally block were present.
- ✗
done error
Why it's wrong here
The order is reversed: the except block runs first, printing 'error', then finally prints 'done'. The finally clause executes after exception handling, not before, so 'done' cannot precede 'error'. This ordering would only occur if finally were written above the except clause.
- ✗
1/0 done
Why it's wrong here
The ZeroDivisionError is caught, so 'error' prints instead of the expression text, and finally prints 'done' rather than the literal '1/0'. Printing '1/0' would require the division to succeed and output that string, which never happens here.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PCEP question from scratch — 482 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.