PCPP2 Software Testing Practice Question
In 'unittest.mock', when you want to return a specific value based on the input arguments of a mocked function, which property should be configured?
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
✓
side_effect
The 'side_effect' property allows you to assign a function that computes the return value dynamically based on arguments, unlike 'return_value' which is static.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
call_args
Why it's wrong here
This attribute stores history of calls, it does not determine return values.
- ✗
return_value
Why it's wrong here
This returns the same static value regardless of input.
- ✓
side_effect
Why this is correct
Assigning a function to side_effect allows dynamic response based on arguments.
- ✗
configure_mock
Why it's wrong here
This is a method to set attributes, not specifically for input-based logic.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Python Institute exam blueprint
This PCPP2 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 PCPP2 exam.