Overview
PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification is a professional credential that measures your ability to accomplish coding tasks related to the basics of programming in the Python language and the fundamental notions and techniques used in object-oriented programming.
PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification shows that the individual is familiar with general computer programming concepts like conditional execution, loops, Python programming language syntax, semantics, and the runtime environment, as well as with general coding techniques and object-oriented programming.
Becoming PCAP certified ensures that the individual is fully acquainted with all the primary means provided by Python 3 to enable her/him to start her/his own studies, and to open a path to the developer’s career.
Oliver France
Senior Forensics Data Analyst at PwC Australia, Sydney"If you are working as a Data Analyst and want to open your career to Data Science, the Certified Associate in Python Programming certification is a must!"
PCAP: Exam Information
- Credential Name: PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming
- Exam Code/Current Exam Version: PCAP-31-02 (Pearson VUE, retiring), PCAP-31-03 (Pearson VUE/OnVUE online proctoring)
- Retired exam versions: PCAP-31-01 (retired), PCAP-NP-31-02 (retired)
- Exam Level: Associate
- Associated Certifications: PCPP | Certified Professional in Python Programming (PCPP-32-101 and PCPP-32-201) Coming November 2020 (PCPP1)
- Pre-requisites: None
- Duration: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (Non-Disclosure Agreement/Tutorial)
- Number of Questions: 40
- Format: Single-choice and multiple-choice questions | Python 3.x
- Passing Score: 70% (PCAP-31-02, PCAP-31-03)
- Language: English
- Courses Aligned: PCAP: Programming Essentials in Python (Cisco Networking Academy, instructor-led), Python Essentials – Part 1, Python Essentials – Part 2 (Edube Interactive – OpenEDG Education Platform, self-enroll/self-study)
- Full Exam Price: USD 295 (check available discounts)
- Delivery Channel: Pearson VUE Testing Centers (PCAP-31-02, PCAP-31-03), OnVUE online proctoring from Pearson VUE (PCAP-31-03)
- Testing Policies: PCAP-31-02 and PCAP-31-03 Testing Policies
- Exam Syllabus: Click here to view Exam Syllabus
- Sample Test: Click here to download a free PCAP sample test
- Purchase Vouchers: OpenEDG Voucher Store
COVID-19 Updates
Many testing centers around the world have suspended their operations or are operating at limited or changed capacity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In response to the multiple requests from teachers, instructors, students, professionals, and test candidates from all over the world we have made a decision to enable test candidates to take the PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming exam from the comfort of their homes, without risking exposure to COVID-19.
The health and safety of test candidates is our top priority. Therefore, the PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification (PCAP-31-03) program will be additionally available online through OnVUE from Pearson VUE starting as of September 17, 2020.
OnVUE online proctoring allows you to take your certification exam securely from your home or office. With just a simple check-in process, involving ID verification, face-matching technology, and a live greeter, you can test without leaving the comfort of your home.
Updated September 16, 2020
Exam Objectives
The test candidate should demonstrate the sufficient knowledge of the following concepts:
1. The fundamentals of computer programming, i.e. how the computer works, how the program is executed, how the programming language is defined and constructed, what the difference is between compilation and interpretation, what Python is, how it is positioned among other programming languages, and what distinguishes the different versions of Python;
2. The basic methods of formatting and outputting data offered by Python, together with the primary kinds of data and numerical operators, their mutual relations and bindings; the concept of variables and variable naming conventions; the assignment operator, the rules governing the building of expressions; the inputting and converting of data;
3. Boolean values to compare difference values and control the execution paths using the if and if-else instructions; the utilization of loops (while and for) and how to control their behavior using the break and continue instructions; the difference between logical and bitwise operations; the concept of lists and list processing, including the iteration provided by the for loop, and slicing; the idea of multi-dimensional arrays;
4. The defining and using of functions – their rationale, purpose, conventions, and traps; the concept of passing arguments in different ways and setting their default values, along with the mechanisms of returning the function’s results; name scope issues; new data aggregates: tuples and dictionaries, and their role in data processing;
5. Python modules: their rationale, function, how to import them in different ways, and present the content of some standard modules provided by Python; the way in which modules are coupled together to make packages; the concept of an exception and Python’s implementation of exceptions, including the try-except instruction, with its applications, and the raise instruction; strings and their specific methods, together with their similarities and differences compared to lists;
6. The fundamentals of OOP (Object Oriented Programming) and the way they are adopted in Python, showing the difference between OOP and the classical, procedural approach; the standard objective features: inheritance, abstraction, encapsulation, and polymorphism, along with Python-specific issues like instance vs. class variables, and Python’s implementation of inheritance; objective nature of exceptions; Python’s generators (the yield instruction) and closures (the lambda keyword); the means Python developers can use to process (create, read, and write) files.