PCPP2 Software Testing Practice Question
What is the purpose of 'pytest.mark.xfail'?
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 a known failure to not break the build.
It marks a test as expected to fail, allowing the build to pass even if the test fails.
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 debug a failing test.
Why it's wrong here
It is not for debugging.
- ✗
To force a test to fail.
Why it's wrong here
It marks the test as expected to fail, not force it.
- ✗
To skip a test temporarily.
Why it's wrong here
That is the purpose of skip.
- ✓
To allow a known failure to not break the build.
Why this is correct
xfail signals that failure is expected.
About these practice questions
This PCPP2 question is part of Courseiva's 194-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 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.