The PCEPTM – Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification demonstrates that the individual is familiar with universal computer programmings concepts such as data types, containers, functions, conditions, loops, and Python programming language syntax, semantics, and the runtime environment. PCEP-30-01 Exam will be retiring on December 31, 2022, and the new exam PCEP-30-02 is currently active.
The PCEP-30-02 exam is a certification exam offered by the Python Institute. It is also known as the “Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer Certification” exam.
The exam is designed to test a candidate’s basic knowledge of programming with Python, including the fundamentals of programming, data types, control structures, functions, and modules. The exam also covers object-oriented programming concepts and basic algorithmic analysis.
The PCEP-30-02 exam is intended for individuals who are new to programming and have little or no experience with Python. It is an entry-level certification that provides a foundation for further learning and certification in Python.
PCEP-30-02 Exam Glossary
Here are some terms that are relevant to the PCEP-30-02 exam and Python programming:
- Python: A high-level, interpreted programming language that is widely used for a variety of applications, including web development, data analysis, and scientific computing.
- Programming: The process of designing, writing, and testing computer programs to solve specific problems or perform specific tasks.
- Data types: The specific kind of data that a programming language can handle, such as integers, strings, and booleans.
- Control structures: Statements in a programming language that control the flow of execution, such as if/else statements and loops.
- Functions: A named block of code that performs a specific task and can be called multiple times within a program.
- Modules: A file containing Python code that can be imported and used within a program.
- Object-oriented programming: A programming paradigm that organizes code into objects, which have properties and methods that can be used to interact with the object.
- Algorithms: A set of instructions or procedures for solving a specific problem or performing a specific task.
- Syntax: The rules and structure of a programming language that define how code should be written and formatted.
- Debugging: The process of identifying and fixing errors or bugs in a program.
PCEP-30-02 Study Guide
Here are some official resources that can be helpful for preparing for the PCEP-30-02 exam:
- Python Institute’s Exam Page: This page provides an overview of the exam, including the exam objectives and requirements. It also provides information about exam delivery, scheduling, and registration. (https://pythoninstitute.org/certification/pcep-certification-entry-level/)
- Official PCEP-30-02 Exam Syllabus: This document provides a detailed outline of the exam objectives and topics. It can be used as a study guide to ensure that candidates are familiar with all of the required concepts and skills. (https://pythoninstitute.org/certification/pcep-certification-entry-level/pcep-syllabus/)
- Python Institute’s Learning Resources: The Python Institute offers a variety of learning resources, including e-learning courses, online books, and study guides. These resources cover a wide range of topics related to Python programming, including programming basics, data types, control structures, functions, and modules. (https://pythoninstitute.org/resources/)
- Python Institute’s Practice Exams: The Python Institute offers practice exams that are designed to simulate the actual exam environment and help candidates prepare for the exam. These exams include a variety of questions that cover the exam objectives and are timed to help candidates manage their time during the actual exam. (https://pythoninstitute.org/free-python-quizzes-tests-exams/)
- Python Documentation: The official Python documentation provides a comprehensive reference for the Python programming language, including language syntax, built-in functions, and standard libraries. This documentation can be used as a reference guide and a resource for learning more about specific Python topics. (https://docs.python.org/3/)
PCEP-30-02 Exam Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks that can help you prepare for and pass the PCEP-30-02 exam:
- Review the Exam Objectives: Make sure you are familiar with the exam objectives and topics. The Python Institute provides a detailed exam syllabus that outlines the topics and concepts that will be covered on the exam.
- Study the Python Documentation: The official Python documentation is a valuable resource that can help you learn more about Python programming. Make sure you are familiar with the language syntax, built-in functions, and standard libraries.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Practice coding and solving problems using Python. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the language and the better prepared you will be for the exam.
- Use Study Guides and Practice Exams: The Python Institute offers study guides and practice exams that can help you prepare for the exam. These resources provide sample questions and scenarios that are similar to what you will encounter on the actual exam.
- Manage Your Time: The PCEP-30-02 exam is timed, so it’s important to manage your time effectively. Make sure you are comfortable with the exam format and timing by taking practice exams under timed conditions.
- Focus on the Basics: The PCEP-30-02 exam is an entry-level certification that tests basic Python programming skills. Focus on the fundamentals of programming, including data types, control structures, functions, and modules.
- Don’t Panic: If you encounter a difficult question, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, read the question carefully, and try to break it down into smaller parts. Use the knowledge and skills you have learned to tackle the problem one step at a time.
Course Outline
Let us first look at the comparison between two exams –
Detailed exam syllabus for PCEP-30-02 –
Section 1: Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals (18%)
PCEP-30-02 1.1 – Understand fundamental terms and definitions
- interpreting and the interpreter, compilation and the compiler
- lexis, syntax, and semantics
PCEP-30-02 1.2 – Understand Python’s logic and structure
- keywords
- Also, instructions
- furthermore, indentation
- moreover, comments
PCEP-30-02 1.3 – Introduce literals and variables into code and use different numeral systems
- Boolean, integers, floating-point numbers
- also, scientific notation
- furthermore, strings
- moreover, binary, octal, decimal, and hexadecimal numeral systems
- also, variables
- furthermore, naming conventions
- moreover, implementing PEP-8 recommendations
PCEP-30-02 1.4 – Choose operators and data types adequate to the problem
- numeric operators: ** * / % // + –
- also, string operators: * +
- furthermore, assignment and shortcut operators
- moreover, unary and binary operators
- also, priorities and binding
- furthermore, bitwise operators: ~ & ^ | << >>
- moreover, Boolean operators: not, and, or
- also, Boolean expressions
- furthermore, relational operators ( == != > >= < <= )
- moreover, the accuracy of floating-point numbers
- also, type casting
PCEP-30-02 1.5 – Perform Input/Output console operations
- the print() and input() functions
- the sep= and end= keyword parameters
- the int() and float() functions
Section 2: Control Flow – Conditional Blocks and Loops (29%)
PCEP-30-02 2.1 – Make decisions and branch the flow with the if instruction
- conditional statements: if, if-else, if-elif, if-elif-else
- multiple conditional statements
- nesting conditional statements
PCEP-30-02 2.2 – Perform different types of iterations
- the pass instruction
- also, building loops with while, for, range(), and in
- furthermore, iterating through sequences
- moreover, expanding loops with while-else and for-else
- also, nesting loops and conditional statements
- furthermore, controlling loop execution with break and continue
Section 3: Data Collections – Tuples, Dictionaries, Lists, and Strings (25%)
PCEP-30-02 3.1 – Collect and process data using lists
- constructing vectors
- also, indexing and slicing
- furthermore, the len() function
- moreover, list methods: append(), insert(), index(), etc.
- also, functions: len(), sorted()
- furthermore, the del instruction
- moreover, iterating through lists with the for loop
- also, initializing loops
- furthermore, the in and not in operators
- moreover, list comprehensions
- also, copying and cloning
- furthermore, lists in lists: matrices and cubes
PCEP-30-02 3.2 – Collect and process data using tuples
- tuples: indexing, slicing, building, immutability
- also, tuples vs. lists: similarities and differences
- furthermore, lists inside tuples and tuples inside lists
PCEP-30-02 3.3 Collect and process data using dictionaries
- dictionaries: building, indexing, adding and removing keys
- also, iterating through dictionaries and their keys and values
- furthermore, checking the existence of keys
- moreover, methods: keys(), items(), and values()
PCEP-30-02 3.4 Operate with strings
- constructing strings
- also, indexing, slicing, immutability
- furthermore, escaping using the \ character
- moreover, quotes and apostrophes inside strings
- also, multi-line strings
- furthermore, basic string functions and methods
Section 4: Functions and Exceptions (28%)
PCEP-30-02 4.1 – Decompose the code using functions
- defining and invoking user-defined functions and generators
- also, the return keyword, returning results
- furthermore, the None keyword
- moreover, recursion
PCEP-30-02 4.2 – Organize interaction between the function and its environment
- parameters vs. arguments
- also, positional, keyword, and mixed argument passing
- furthermore, default parameter values
- moreover, name scopes, name hiding (shadowing), and the global keyword
PCEP-30-02 4.3 – Python Built-In Exceptions Hierarchy
- BaseException
- also, Exception
- furthermore, SystemExit
- moreover, KeyboardInterrupt
- also, abstract exceptions
- furthermore, ArithmeticError
- moreover, LookupError
- also, IndexError
- furthermore, KeyError
- moreover, TypeError
- ValueError
PCEP-30-02 4.4 – Basics of Python Exception Handling
- try-except / the try-except Exception
- ordering the except branches
- propagating exceptions through function boundaries
- delegating responsibility for handling exceptions
Let us now look at some resources –
Python Institute Official Website
Exploring the Python Institute’s official website is a crucial step in preparing for the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer exam. In addition, the official website contains a wealth of useful information and resources for preparing for the exam. Study guides, courses, sample papers, training programs, whitepapers, documentation, faqs, and other resources are also available. All of this information is available on the official page for the candidate.
Python Institute Training Courses
The candidate may also choose to participate in the Python Institute’s training programs. The Python Institute provides training programs for all exams. The training programs for a specific exam include all exam information such as the description, intended audience, delivery method, duration, and so on. To become a Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer, the candidate should enroll in a training program. With Python Institute’s training courses, the candidate will receive in-person instruction from experts in one of their cutting-edge training facilities. You have the following training options:
Python Essentials 1 (Free – Edube Interactive™, an OpenEDG Education Platform)
PCAP Programming Essentials in Python (Cisco Networking Academy, Part 1, Modules 1-4)
Study Groups
Participating in a group study or an online community will also be beneficial to the candidate. It will motivate them to work harder. Furthermore, studying in a group will allow them to stay connected with others who are on the same path as them. Furthermore, such study groups’ discussions will benefit students in their exams.
