PCPP1 Advanced Object Oriented Programming Practice Question
When overriding the __getattr__ method, what must you be careful to avoid?
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
✓
Infinite recursion by accessing non-existent attributes.
Infinite recursion occurs if you try to access an attribute inside __getattr__ that does not exist, triggering __getattr__ again.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Infinite recursion by accessing non-existent attributes.
Why this is correct
Always use super() or direct dictionary access to avoid the cycle.
- ✗
Raising AttributeError.
Why it's wrong here
Raising AttributeError is the correct way to signal an attribute is missing.
- ✗
Accessing class attributes.
Why it's wrong here
Class attributes are accessed via the class dict, not instance lookup.
- ✗
Calling super().__getattr__.
Why it's wrong here
Object does not have a default __getattr__.
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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.