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.
Which code correctly and efficiently sums only positive numbers from a list?
for num in numbers: if num > 0: total += num else: break
Why wrong: Break stops the loop on first non-positive.
for num in numbers: if num <= 0: pass else: total += num
Why wrong: Works but pass is redundant; not efficient.
for num in numbers: if num > 0: total += num else: continue
Why wrong: Works but else continue is unnecessary.
for num in numbers: if num <= 0: continue total += num
Correct and efficient; skips non-positive.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
for num in numbers: if num <= 0: continue total += num
Option D is correct because it uses `continue` to skip non-positive numbers and then unconditionally adds the remaining numbers to `total`. This is both efficient (no unnecessary `else` branch) and correct: it sums only positive numbers without breaking the loop prematurely or adding zero/negative values.
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.
for num in numbers: if num > 0: total += num else: break
Why it's wrong here
Break stops the loop on first non-positive.
for num in numbers: if num <= 0: pass else: total += num
Why it's wrong here
Works but pass is redundant; not efficient.
for num in numbers: if num > 0: total += num else: continue
Why it's wrong here
Works but else continue is unnecessary.
for num in numbers: if num <= 0: continue total += num
Why this is correct
Correct and efficient; skips non-positive.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the distinction between `break` and `continue`, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly use `break` (thinking it skips one item) or add unnecessary `else` branches, when `continue` is the correct way to skip an iteration without terminating the loop.
Detailed technical explanation
The `continue` statement immediately jumps to the next iteration of the loop, skipping any remaining code in the current iteration. In Python, this is implemented as a jump to the loop's increment/next step, which avoids unnecessary condition checks. In real-world data processing, such as filtering sensor readings or financial transactions, using `continue` to skip invalid entries is a common pattern that improves readability and performance by reducing nesting.
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
Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic — This question tests Control Flow, Loops, Lists and Logic — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: for num in numbers: if num <= 0: continue total += num — Option D is correct because it uses `continue` to skip non-positive numbers and then unconditionally adds the remaining numbers to `total`. This is both efficient (no unnecessary `else` branch) and correct: it sums only positive numbers without breaking the loop prematurely or adding zero/negative values.
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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