PCEP Practice Question: Data Types, Variables, Basic I/O and Operators
Which of the following variable names is valid in Python?
⚠ Common exam trap
Python Institute often tests the misconception that underscores are not allowed or that hyphens are acceptable in variable names, leading candidates to reject _count or accept my-var.
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
✓
_count
(_count) is valid because Python allows identifiers to start with an underscore, and it contains only letters and underscores. Python variable names must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, digits, or underscores, and cannot be a reserved keyword.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
1st_value
Why it's wrong here
Invalid: cannot begin with a digit.
- ✓
_count
Why this is correct
Valid: underscores are allowed at the start.
- ✗
my-var
Why it's wrong here
Invalid: hyphens are not allowed in identifiers.
- ✗
class
Why it's wrong here
Invalid: 'class' is a reserved keyword.
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