PCPP2 Software Testing Practice Question
When using the 'unittest' framework, which method is executed exactly once before any test methods in a class are run?
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
✓
setUpClass
The 'setUpClass' method is a class method that runs once before all tests in the class, whereas 'setUp' runs before each individual test.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
setUp
Why it's wrong here
This runs before each individual test method.
- ✗
pre_test
Why it's wrong here
This is not a standard method name in the unittest framework.
- ✗
init
Why it's wrong here
The __init__ method is not intended for test fixture setup in unittest.
- ✓
setUpClass
Why this is correct
This is the correct class method to run setup code once for the entire class.
About these practice questions
One of 194 original PCPP2 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. 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.