PCPP1 Advanced Object Oriented Programming Practice Question
What is the purpose of the __set_name__ method in descriptors?
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
✓
To allow the descriptor to know its name in the owner class.
__set_name__ is called at class creation time to inform the descriptor of its name in the owner class, allowing it to store values in a private attribute without needing to know the name beforehand.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To set the name of the class.
Why it's wrong here
Classes don't have a __set_name__ for this purpose.
- ✗
To delete the attribute.
Why it's wrong here
Unrelated.
- ✗
To rename the attribute.
Why it's wrong here
It doesn't rename the attribute itself.
- ✓
To allow the descriptor to know its name in the owner class.
Why this is correct
This is the purpose of the method.
About these practice questions
This PCPP1 question is part of Courseiva's 209-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Python Institute exam blueprint
This PCPP1 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 PCPP1 exam.