This PCEP practice question tests your understanding of functions, tuples, dictionaries and exceptions. 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 TWO of the following exceptions are built-in Python exceptions? (Select exactly 2)
ZeroDivisionError
Built-in exception for division by zero.
KeyError
Built-in exception for missing dictionary keys.
StringError
Why wrong: Not a standard Python exception.
NumberError
Why wrong: Not a standard Python exception.
ListError
Why wrong: Not a standard Python exception.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ZeroDivisionError
Option A is correct because ZeroDivisionError is a built-in Python exception that is raised when the second operand of a division or modulo operation is zero. It is part of Python's standard exception hierarchy and is commonly encountered in arithmetic operations.
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.
ZeroDivisionError
Why this is correct
Built-in exception for division by zero.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
KeyError
Why this is correct
Built-in exception for missing dictionary keys.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
StringError
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard Python exception.
NumberError
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard Python exception.
ListError
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard Python exception.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests the distinction between built-in exceptions and non-existent exceptions like StringError, NumberError, or ListError, which are not part of Python's standard library, to catch candidates who guess based on naming patterns rather than actual Python knowledge.
Detailed technical explanation
Python's built-in exceptions are organized in a class hierarchy rooted at BaseException. ZeroDivisionError is a subclass of ArithmeticError, which itself inherits from Exception. KeyError is a subclass of LookupError and is raised when a dictionary key is not found. Understanding this hierarchy helps in writing precise except clauses and avoiding overly broad exception handling.
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
Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries and Exceptions — This question tests Functions, Tuples, Dictionaries and Exceptions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ZeroDivisionError — Option A is correct because ZeroDivisionError is a built-in Python exception that is raised when the second operand of a division or modulo operation is zero. It is part of Python's standard exception hierarchy and is commonly encountered in arithmetic operations.
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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