PCPP1 Advanced Object Oriented Programming Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are true about the Python descriptor protocol?
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
✓
They must be defined in the class body.
Descriptors allow you to manage attribute access, they have specific lookup order, and they are used by property/classmethod internally.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Non-data descriptors can define __set__.
Why it's wrong here
That would make them data descriptors.
- ✗
They only work for instance attributes.
Why it's wrong here
They work for both.
- ✓
They must be defined in the class body.
Why this is correct
Descriptors are class attributes.
- ✓
Data descriptors take precedence over instance __dict__.
Why this is correct
Data descriptors are prioritized.
- ✓
They are the mechanism behind @property.
Why this is correct
Yes, property is a descriptor.
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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.