Candidates are expected to demonstrate a firm background at developing and debugging simple programs using Python. Prior to taking the exam, a candidate is expected to have approximately 150 hours of hands-on experience or lectures on developing using Python.

The elevated level of preparation required is derived by the industry-standard level of the exam and the fact that this certification reflects the candidate’s readiness to enter the job market. Moreover, this Certification is used as a job placement index by recruiting managers, for the correct placement of a job seeker. Knowledge Pillars PCS use a task-based format in order to ensure the validity of the results.

To optimize the examination experience for the Candidate, Knowledge Pillars has taken certain steps to utilize real Python environment during the examination, as well as to ensure stable experience for the examinées. The exam is provided both in Testing Centers, or remotely, via the remote proctoring system.

Objective Domains

1.    Python Basic Concepts

• Fundamental Concepts
  • What is Python and what is the differences between interpreter and compiler?
• Python Structure
  • Python Syntax and semantics and the importance of indentation and casing. Python keywords and the use of numeral systems and scientific notation
• Comments
  • Insert inline and multi-line comments

2.    Variables and Operators

• Variable data types
  • Define, use and recognize various types of variables (integer, float, string). Store User Input in a variable and recognize the different scopes of a variable. Type Casting and Type Conversion
• Using Operators in Expressions
  • Use Arithmetic, String, Bitwise and Relational Operators and identify their order of precedence

3.    Using Conditional Statements

• Logical Operators
  • Use Logical Operators in Expressions and identify their order of precedence
• If statements
  • Using single or nested if, …else and …elif… conditional statement

4.    Using Loops

• The for… Loop
  • Using a for… Loop and the range function
• The while… Loop
  • Using a while… loop
• Controlling loops
  • Nesting, expanding, breaking and continuing loops. Avoiding infinite loops

5.    Create and use Functions and Generators

• Create a function
  • Define a function and generator and add documentation to it. Pass parameters inside a function and return values
• Use a function
  • Calling a function with or without default values. Use basic, recursive and lambda functions

6.    Python Data Structures

• Lists
  • Define, nest, enumerate Lists and add remove or use elements from them and use their methods. Use slices
• Strings
  • Use Strings as lists along with basic string functions
• Tuples
  • Define and enumerate Tuples, use their elements and methods and recognize similarities and differences of them with Lists
• Sets
  • Define, nest, enumerate Sets and add remove or use elements from them and use their methods
• Dictionaries
  • Define, nest, enumerate Dictionaries and add remove or use elements from them and use their methods.

7.    Using Modules and packages

• Use Modules
  • Import, initialize, write and document modules. Hide entities in a module
• Use Packages
  • Create and distribute packages. Python Hashbangs

8.    Classes, Objects and OOP

• Classes, Objects
  • Define your classes/objects, superclasses and subclasses. Define, add and remove class attributes, methods and variables
• Fundamentals of OOP
  • Use single and multiple inheritance or override it. Use functions to get information on objects/classes

9.    Respond to Events and Exceptions

• Events and hooks
  • Using hooks on Events and their libraries
• Errors and Exceptions
  • Common errors and how to handle them via the exception object

10.  I/O operations using Python

• Use Python to read and write files
  • Open, read, stream and write files. Understand the difference between text and binary files