PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question
Which of the following variable names is valid in Python?
⚠ Common exam trap
The PCEP exam often tests the rule that identifiers cannot start with a digit, leading candidates to mistakenly think that any non-alphabetic starting character is invalid, but underscores are explicitly allowed.
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
✓
_private
(_private) is valid because Python allows variable names to start with an underscore. Identifiers can consist of letters, digits, and underscores, but must not begin with a digit. The underscore is treated as a letter, so _private conforms to Python's naming rules.
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
Variable names cannot start with a digit.
- ✓
_private
Why this is correct
Underscores are allowed and often used for private attributes.
- ✗
class
Why it's wrong here
'class' is a reserved Python keyword.
- ✗
my-var
Why it's wrong here
Hyphens are not allowed; use underscores.
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