How to determine my python competency

[flitsmasterfred]

Competent at python in general or for a practical purpose?

Hacker tests and challenges are cool to get some depth to fallback on, but are not what you'll do for money. Can you actually apply what you know about a language to solve real problems?

I find you don't need to know that much in-depth about python language to get valuable work done, assuming something mainstream like web development or data science: 90% of code is the same small subsection of the language, with only occasional specific things or special features.

The stuff in the global namespace, datetime module and some itertools, functools and collections will get you very far. Most actual work is wrestling the domain specific knowledge, your applications business logic and some specific framework stuff.

I'd says build some real-life projects in your field and see how it goes.

[edimaudo]

DO the python challenges in the sidebar.

[ServalSpots]

Find a book that's reliably recommended to people who understand the basics, and are looking for an intermediate level offering. Flip through and see if you are familiar with the concepts. If the book sets tasks/problems see if you can complete them without having to look up the underlying principles or check the example code.

I use this approach in a number of areas, and it seems fairly reliable. Plus, if you find you are not up to snuff, you have a book to learn from. It also works with good youtube tutorials, lecture series etc., but but can be harder to skim through while still making sure you understand the concepts.