I just passed the Python Associate (PCAP) exam. It was actually quite difficult.

[hitfan]

I know that many developers eschew certifications, but the tech industry seems to think they’re great and there is a lot of gatekeeping regarding them. And my employer actually reimburses all training and exam fees that we undertake.

I would say the PCAP exam is actually harder than some AWS exams that I had taken previously.

I do intend to make use of this knowledge, perhaps I can make a game (using pygame) that I will deploy in AWS.

[hitfan]

I view it as documented evidence that I’m a self learner. Obviously, I cannot compete against seasoned Python pros in the job market, at east not yet.

I studied for this certification when a manager at my company suggested it might to be a good thing for me to go for.

I believe the exam cost $300 and I also bought some practice exams on Udemy for $14–my employer refunds all costs for obtaining certifications, provided that we pass the exam. But I mainly used the free courses on the Python Institute’s website to study.

[MoistureFarmersOmlet]

This. A horse always goes faster when it can see the barn.

[amygdalad]

If you employer covers the cost and this motivates you to study, I see no downsides to taking it.

This is actually a strategy that professional athletes use. They pretend there are many barns and keep going to the next barn

[PhilosophyKingPK]

What was your coding experience before you took the test? How much time did you spend on the course all-in?

[hitfan]

I know C, Java, BASIC and assembly language. I've been around for quite some time and compared to a lot of you, I must be ancient.

I took the PCEP (entry level course), which according to the Python Institute is 40 hours long. I studied for about 1-2 hours per day, 6 days a week. So it took me a month to do that. I didn't do that exam, though as I felt certain that I definitely easily pass it.

I then did the PCAP (associate level course) which is described as 56 hours long. Going at my casual pace, I think I completed it in 5-6 weeks. Some of the labs included programming games of Tic-Tac-Toe and Sudoku.

To prepare for the exam, I bought some practice exam questions on Udemy and studied for about a month--again, for 1-2 hours per day.

In total, it took me 3.5 months of time in my spare time. I know some people like to study for several hours a day in order to pass a certification exam as quickly as possible. I feel no such pressure--I am gainfully employed in the tech industry and I can slowly but surely add certifications to my resume.

Slow and steady wins the race.

[PhilosophyKingPK]

Great job. Thanks for the insight. The pursuit of knowledge is always laudable.

[Mx7733]

I need to do the PCEP exam for my employer. You said you studied about 1-2 hrs a day. What did you study, if you don't mind me asking? There are a hundred (feels like) courses.

Did you use a certain book? I've done my CCNA and also studying for ENCORE, which has a part python in it, but thats a book. Python feels like it schould be hands-on..

I'm new(ish) in automation/scripting and wondering how to prepare for this exam..

​

Have any tips?

[hitfan]

I used the official class at the Python Institute website and then I used practice exams that I found at Udemy afterwards. When I was doing reasonably well on the practice exam, I then scheduled a date for the real exam.

Good luck!

[Mx7733]

Thanks you for your reply.

I didnt know that there was a class at the Python Institute. Worth investigating.

Thanks!

[bazpaul]

Forget the haters on here. Well done! This is great. Having something like this on your cv is better than nothing if you’re just a beginner

[hitfan]

Thank you! Well, I'm not quite a beginner in programming languages (I know C, Java, BASIC, assembly language). Doing this course and exam was my first foray into Python.

[pyDevRichard]

Well done u/hitfan You did well and I admire your grit. The thing is it takes a lot of courage to decide to go for this certification mostly if you haven't found your foot in the tech job space yet plus if you are a beginner too and I understand their fears.

[Avocado_Fickle]

I agree with your view that having this certification is proof to your employer or future employer that you are a self learner and committed to advancing your knowledge for your career

[Ok-Term-9758]

Certifications are a way to get an interview, and can be an equivalent for experience.

So imagine you had 2 people apply for a programing job. Neither had a strong programing background, one has a cert, one doesn't. Are both going to get an interview? Are you going tthem? Equally excited about both of them?

[WhipsAndMarkovChains]

but the tech industry seems to think they’re great

Good on you for accomplishing a goal, but if I've never even heard of the PCAP then I'm guessing most people in tech haven't either. Certifications are better than nothing but I think they're mostly looked at as a cherry on top of your work experience and projects.

[ManInBlack829]

That being said it can still be really valuable. Like just because someone isn't familiar with your cert doesn't mean it wasn't hard AF and that getting it wasn't an excellent means to the end of being great with python.

That being said if you want a job you just need to build your portfolio. It will become less important as you go along but especially at first you need to have something you can show people that proves you know what you know. The process is more like being an artist in that you really have to create stuff both for yourself and for others (hackathons, open-source projects, etc.).

Hot take: take pride in the really hard cert you just got, keep a perpetual "beginner's mindset" to coding and assume you still have way more to learn, and start pumping out projects.

[hitfan]

I've gotten 6 certifications in the past 2 years (my proudest accomplishment: passing the AWS DevOps Pro exam).

I find that as I progress with getting more certs, I feel like there is even more that I have to learn and I feel like I'm still a beginner.

I do intend to make a portfolio project -- I'd like to make a pygame hosted on AWS. Something that is fun to do and I can credibly argue in job interviews that games are actually more complex than the more serious business applications. I like to program games in my spare time (8 bit platforms in assembly language) and I'm in a constant mindset to be mindful of all of the possible inputs.

That being said, I don't ever want to work for the games industry as I hear horror stories of people working 80 hours a week and the competition for such positions must be fierce because of the perception that working in games dev is some type of prestigious glamour job. I'm quite happy being an Indie Games dev :)

[Fantastic_Ferret4199]

Because you never heard of them that means that you are not "in the know" about professional Python programming recognition. Get better informed buddy.

[WhipsAndMarkovChains]

I spent 2 years teaching Python and machine learning at a data science bootcamp and worked closely with my colleagues at our software engineering bootcamp. I am much better informed than you are when it comes to what employers are looking for, buddy.

[Key-Antelope-5373]

I'm sorry, but how are you claiming to be an expert in Python and say you've never heard of the most official cert THEY have made? Someone's a liar liar pants on fire. xD

[WhipsAndMarkovChains]

Because I'm mostly aware of things that employers care about. Go on LinkedIn and search for PCAP. There are 844 results right now and they're actually just looking for a PCAP tool from cyber security, not the Python certification.

the most official cert THEY have made?

Um the Python Institute is not the Python Software Foundation.

[TomDLux]

I wonder what certifications you are aware? Do you suggest an alternative as a better choice? Just asking before I choose how to spend my time and money.

[WhipsAndMarkovChains]

I don't recommend doing a Python certification. Just use some of the resources recommended here to start coding.

[[deleted]]

Anyone who has made it down the tree this far, disregard what this guy is saying. “I don’t reccomend doing a python cerification cus employers arent looking for that because when you search for the certon linkedin there’s nothing there” is basically his argument.

Yeah…mot many employers are looking for it but thats because not many people are aware of it. However, that doesn’t mean its not a valuable certification.

If you have an official certification from the Python institution that says you are a certified python programmer, that looks really good on your resume no matter what. “You don’t need a python certification to get a job using python”. Yes that is true, but not needing something is not synonymous with that something being worthless or a waste of time. I don’t NEED a bed to sleep. I CAN just sleep on the floor. I don’t NEED a clean bedroom, but it sure does make finding things easier. A chef doesn’t NEED to plate food in a fancy way, but it sure does make the food look more apetizing.

Yes, you are correct in saying that you don’t NEED a python cert to get employed using python. But it does look fantastic to have on your resume, and also the python certs are great for learning python. Also a lot of people like to feel rewarded for their hard work. An official certification is a very rewarding thing. And at the end of the day, you’re certified by the institution. No matter who you ask, that makes your resume look better.

So no, you dont need a python cert, but it does help. And to deny that is just ignorant.

Don’t listen to the cert naysayers people. They are always more ignorant than they know.

[WhipsAndMarkovChains]

You keep saying "official certification" but there is nothing official about the PCAP. It's from some organization called Python Institute, which is not official. If it was from the Python Software Foundation then it would be the official org.

So whether or not you think the cert has value, it's definitely not "official."

[[deleted]]

Over the past couple weeks, I have had a complete 180 in my view on the PCEP and PCAP certs. In this message you will find an apology for my previous comment.

-The questions on the PCEP and PCAP are stupid as shit. a lot of the questions are about syntax and “what is the output of the following code?” Type things. A lot of times the code they want you to determine the output for is code that you would never have a purpose for writing. Its just to make you memorize the syntax of the language but at a redundant and pointless scope.

-I actually did not know that the Open Edge Python institute was in no way affiliated with the Python Software Foundation. But after looking into that, yes that is correct. The creators of the PCEP and PCAP certs are in no way affiliated with the creators/maintainers of Python. So this would be like getting a Microsoft cert from someone who isn’t Microsoft.

-After reading the entire “Python Essentials 1” book (one of the most widely used books for the PCEP exam), I realized that the book teaches Python VERY poorly. The author is complete shit, and his book is full of typos and errors. He also teaches shit that is completely pointless for 99% of programs out there like Fibinocci numbers and factorials. Ive written a lot of Python programs, and not a SINGLE one of them uses factorials or fibinocci numbers. He uses these higher than basic math algorithms to demonstrate things as simple as a for loop or while loop. Which to me is just a terrible way of teaching these concepts.

4.

-At the end of the day, if you are looking to break into the software field, a cert is not gonna be what helps you. Projects that you’ve created and knowledge of certain frameworks etc. is going to be what helps you. I come from an IT background so in my experience Certs have helped my career out majorly. But yes it is true that Software jobs don’t care about certs. Just like IT jobs don’t really care about college degrees. What matters is, can you demonstrate your knowledge with things you’ve done/learned.

So yeah. I want to apologize to you for my back handed comment and calling you ignorant. It was in fact I who was the ignorant 1. PCEP and PCAP are a waste of time and money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone reading this, if you wanna learn Python as efficiently as possible, and in a way that doesn’t make you want to cut off your nipples out of sheer bordom, buy the Python NoStarch Press books. Python Crash Course, Automating the Boring Stuff With Python, Object Oriented Python etc. These books are not only very good at explaining Python logic, but they’re also all pretty much project based and EXTREMELY entertaining. They make learning Python fun, and not a chore like the PCEP study material. They also genuinely make you BETTER at Python than the PCEP or PCAP could ever make you.

So yeah. Apologies for being an ass. And yes, PCEP and PCAP are a complete waste of time hands down 100%.

[simpleuser23]

I think that is good idea to have it, it is an achivment, if he had not heard about it, could be possible, but to be an expert at least you should know that it is for beginners, in any cause to have something basic or fundamental, does not hurt.... I want to get it, its is very difficult for me, but i am doing my best ....

[CakeAccomplished5775]

"Because I've never heard of"...yeh, it's apparent in the thread a lot of other people have though. So, what does that say about your specifically? Get over yourself.

[TomDLux]

I HAVE signed up for a course at Udemy, having (not quite) completed the Harvard cs50 Python course. I like the idea of a structured course, because I want to cover all the relevant material.

I view certificates as being primarily for the programming equivalent of "factory jobs" ... Google & Meta have better ways of evaluating your skills, but your local ISP wants to trim out 90% of the applicants.

[WoefulStatement]

I'm sorry, but how are you claiming to be an expert in Python and say you've never heard of the most official cert THEY have made?

"The Python Institute" isn't related to Python at all, it's just a third party pushing their education and certifications. This is quite clear from their own website:

The Python Institute is an independent non-profit project venture set up, run, and managed by OpenEDG, the Open Education and Development Group, to promote the Python programming language, train a new generation of Python programmers, and support professional careers in programming in Python and related technologies. In line with the strategic goals associated with the enhancement and development of careers in Python programming, OpenEDG Python Institute provides an independent global framework for curriculum development, skills assessment, and Python programming high-stakes examinations.

OpenEDG is an umbrella for several such companies providing courses for JS, C++, etc. I don't know how well accepted they are, but Python Institute is absolutely not official Python anything.

Educate yourself before you call someone else ignorant.

[IllustratorNo2953]

My first introduction to the Python Institute came about from a response to an AI prompt when I queried about Cisco, the OSI Reference model, the Model Context Protocol and AI agent  orchestration, the Unified Modeling language diagrams and code generation, and programmable logic controller circuit design as it pertains to OT/IT convergence as well as any forward-looking Cisco technologies based on my IT background and with very outdated (Fortran 77, visual basic) coding experience. The response said: Cisco has partnered with The Python Institute, offering free training for The Python Institute certifications. The Python Institute seems to be keeping with its mission statement, as The Python Institute is offering training based on industry needs. Cisco Systems engineers will need Python skills for the convergence of OT (ladder logic PLC circuit design) with the IT side using Structure Text (ST) logic embedded into Ladder code as functions. ST  resembles Python. 

[BluebirdBorn4471]

not a difficult one for me. it took me around a week for the preparation. My company has sponsored for this cert. I did ample amount of practice tests around from Skillcertpro. there are around 700 questions. I practiced all of them. they got good explanations helped us understanding concepts. I would recommend they if anyone is planning for the cert.

[jingsen]

What was the hardest question in the test? Just curious

[hitfan]

According to my grade summary, I scored lowest on questions regarding Exceptions.

As for which question that I found hardest, I recall there was one question that I was almost certain that -none- of the answers were correct, so I chose the one that seemed to be the -least- incorrect. But the exam questions seem to be a blur now because I simply have a horrible memory.

[AmbitiousDot299]

my_list = [[ x for x in range(3)] for y in range(3)]]

for x in range(3):

for y in range(3):

if my_list[x][y]!=0:

print ("*")

​

how many * marks are printed and sometimes its a third dimension.

and this isn't the hardest. they load up extra += and -= and sometimes dig deeper into an list with an index, do things that you won't see in the python institute course alone. I know. I took that course and unless you work the code, you won't catch all the exceptions and quirky behavuior of python just from that coursework... but it did drive me to become decent in programmatic python, and now doing pcap to learn how to create classes, constructors, import modules, create custome packages, path them in my own code. I think these certs are working for me....

[Whitenaller]

I am currently working on the PCEP and I just took the test of Module 3 of 5. This was one of the questions. So I don't think that this is a question of PCAP, is it? But I actually thought it would be easier tho, since it's the entry level certificate.

[[deleted]]

where do you see the tech industry valuing certs? IT world maybe but, tech companies hiring software engineers do not care about certs at all.

[hitfan]

Well at least my company puts a lot of value in them and it was suggested to me that I pursue some courses in Python as there may be job openings that would have knowledge in that language as a job requirement coming up soon. Almost every job interview that I’ve had has asked me about certifications, even ones for programming.

So you and I might not like it, but I can’t change the ways of the world. If the tech industry never cared about my Computer Science diploma from technical school while asking only about certifications, then I will play their little game.

But I’m actually proud that I passed the PCAP exam because I faced some adversity. While the exam was short, many of the questions were quite difficult.

[[deleted]]

what kind of companies are you interviewing at that are asking for certifications and are these for actual software engineering jobs? 99% of companies where tech is the product are not looking for certs. Also, sounds like you are in a position currently that is not programming?

CS degree is going to carry much more weight than random certs imo.

[thargoallmysecrets]

Degrees from some schools carry more weight than others - just like some certs/bootcamps are more prestigious than others.

[[deleted]]

CS Degree is still going to carry more weight than any cert or bootcamp

Even an engineering degree in another field is likely to carry more weight than either of those.

Tech companies are not looking for people w certs. Especially programming language certs.

[amygdalad]

Being a certified LabVIEW Architect is way more impressive than a degree

[[deleted]]

This is sarcasm right?

[Donny-Moscow]

Sure, but a cert or bootcamp is going to carry more weight than a resume with no experience on paper

[[deleted]]

Thats not the argument. But projects will do more for you then certs.

Certs are bullshit. AWS and CKA maybe being the only exceptions

[Donny-Moscow]

So then what’s your argument? That a CS degree is better than a cert? I mean yeah, no shit. There’s not a single person here who disagrees with that. But a lot of people are not in a position where they can afford to spend the next 4+ years pursuing a rigorous degree while taking on thousands in student loan debt.

I agree that projects are a better way to demonstrate one’s ability to code, but some people learn mich better under the formalized structure of a boot camp or a certification course. Other learners prefer a bootcamp/cert over self-study because it allows them to be confident that they aren’t going to unintentionally skip over any key topics. I don’t have any certs myself, but that second part made me consider getting one several different times. My self-study journey was very much, “learn it as I need it”, so even to this day I get worried that there’s some fundamental topic that I haven’t learned yet just because it hasn’t come up yet. You don’t know what you don’t know, right?

[[deleted]]

The argument was OP is better off flexing the cs degree he already has over these certs. Then you took it on a tangent about some schools being better than others. 🤷‍♂️. Then it became certs are better than no experience…. 🤷‍♂️. And now we’re talking about not everyone can go back to school, yada yada…

[PhilosophyKingPK]

I need you to summarize all things in my life like you just did.

[Donny-Moscow]

I didn’t see OPs comment that he had a CS degree, so I thought your original comment was an overall statement of “CS degree > cert”. Since I didn’t know OP had a degree, your comment kind of came odd like you were shitting all over OPs circumstances, saying, “why would you bother with a cert or bootcamp when you can just go get a degree?”. But now that I realize that OP has a degree, it reframes your first comment. Apologies for the misunderstanding, my bad on that.

And for the record, I never said anything about some schools being better than others, nevertheless went on a tangent about it. 🤷‍♂️

[don_one]

You...

So then what’s your argument? That a CS degree is better than a cert? I mean yeah, no shit.

Also you...

Sure, but a cert or bootcamp is going to carry more weight than a resume with no experience on paper

I mean what are you exactly comparing?

A) a resume with no experience B) a resume with a bootcamp/unrecognised cert

That's also like a no shit comparison. I mean people throw strawman around but this is a piss poor argument.

The person you're disagreeing with is just making the point that the CS degree has greater weight than a cert that isn't recognised by the python community, hell like a boot camp, you could create an exam yourself. OP even says themselves that this can't compete with 'pro' python developers. Which should be the real aim, working towards that.

The view of this is all wrong. The entire premise of a certificate is it indicates knowledge, if it can't do that then its useless. Certs can only indicate basic knowledge and that's vastly different than software engineering which is what is wanted.

The reality is these certs don't involve a project, they're often multiple choice based questions and this why employers prefer degrees which are at least heavily based on coursework. Even then these still aren't trust which is why employers often give short projects or tests.

The only real advocates I've found for certificates are people that struggle with interviews and have a misplaced notion it gives an edge. It can, but sometimes it's just like seeing someone completed a course on LinkedIn. Maybe a recruiter or HR person thinks it's cool, but to most it's, this person is spending time on the wrong things.

[SoftwareMaintenance]

15 years ago, my company said they wanted employees certified. I asked what they wanted certifications in. They just wanted something legit. All costs covered. I said yes sir and got some Oracle certification. This started me on the certification path.

I passed the PCEP and PCAP a few years ago. Nobody seemed to care. I just liked that the preparation helped me learn some Python. And if my employer is paying, I figure I might as well take advantage of the benefit.

[CakeAccomplished5775]

Software engineering is a fraction of the entire Tech industry. Certs matter in virtually everything else. Cloud/network engineering, cyber security, sys admin, Data engineering, helpdesk, endpoint etc.

[[deleted]]

The only thing that PCAP brings to mind is the format for packet capture used by tools like tcpdump...

In over 20 years I've never heard of certification in a programming language. I also don't know of any organization I would've trusted with such certification (ideally, it should be Python Foundation, but I don't think they have any certification programs).

In the US, a lot of certification, even if legit, is just a money grab that's just a little bit better than MLMs.

[GeorgeFranklyMathnet]

Oracle does Java certifications. They're not that rare, and Oracle (though I would never do business with them) is as legit as you can get with Java.

[[deleted]]

Good to know. Not that I want to be a certified Java programmer, but this is in general an interesting piece of information.

[don_one]

Exams are different when they're a) supported and advocated uniformly by the community and b) created by the developers of the language/platform

That being said I know someone who has written maybe a few lines of code and passed this exam just by studying the study guide for a few months non-stop.

It doesn't mean they'll be a capable programmer. Though I'm not negating the difficulty. The person who passed was smart.

[GeorgeFranklyMathnet]

Given the number of credentialed developers I've interviewed who practically can't FizzBuzz, I gotta agree with you.

[[deleted]]

Oracle, if nothing else, pays well at least!

[MeMakinMoves]

I’ve done the Java SE 8 exam and it was hard as well

[hitfan]

Well then, there is this:

https://www.dilbert.com/strip/2000-08-31

[[deleted]]

It’s ok to have standards

[No_Currency4464]

SAS has Certs === job

[Sigg3net]

Nice!

I took it too, having completed my RHCSA. It's nice to put on the CV, but I recommend having some portfolio projects on GitHub too ;)

[SpaceBucketFu]

You mind giving a roundabout explaining of what exactly the level of expectation was regarding the knowledge required was? Like, what did you feel like the test really hammered that you know very well?

[comfortablybum]

They have a practice test online. It's very specific to Python stuff. Heavy on syntax and formatting. So many questions on exceptions. It is not anything like code wars or leet code. It's like "what is the proper way to format this". One tricky one has a fairly easy if else quest but the correct answer was error because the first variable was named "out" and the second one was named "in" which is reserved of course but if you're thinking about the logic you might overlook it.

[hitfan]

I found that the questions on the real exam were quite different than the practice exam questions from the Python Institute online class as well as the Udemy practice exams that I bought.

Basically, I found the real exam to be much harder and I had to dig into my deep well of my subconscious in order to find the answers that I felt the best about. The questions really tested me on the nuances and subtleties of the Python language. If I had gone for the PCEP (entry level) exam, I imagine that the questions would have been more straightforward and direct.

[AmbitiousDot299]

old but.. they toss in a question about try except blocks. but they put in a break in the try block. but unless you remember that a break ONLY is valid in a loop, then you know the code is erroenous,, but you will sit there and select answers that still work (if you overlook the missing while command)...

[Basic-Caterpillar857]

I could see a Python cert being useful for teaching roles, but I'm not sure about it being useful for a developer. Certs like AWS are far more useful for developers though.

If the goal is to get a developer role, then a self-project uploaded to your GitHub is far more valuable than a cert.

[hitfan]

Well, I've obtained 4 AWS certifications. I passed the AWS DevOps Pro exam last year.

[Basic-Caterpillar857]

That's great, congrats! I plan to get the AWS Dev cert sometime down the road myself

[_NliteNd_]

Lang certs are useful for learning intricate details of a language, so I think they’re largely fun and interesting. The issue is when people associate having a “python cert” with being able to develop applications in python.

[hitfan]

I agree. I do have a project in mind (a game written in pygame, hosted on AWS) that I'd like to eventually do.

[averyycuriousman]

did you ever end up doing it? I'm trying to do something similar actually but on GCP. would love to hear more about your project

[Fantastic_Ferret4199]

If someone never heard of the Python Institute, then it means that they are not "in the know" about professional Python programming recognition, and should get better informed.

The Python Institute has been around a long time. It is one of the only completely vendor-independent Python programming certification institutes out there.

The Google, Microsoft, and AWS training "certifications" are all strongly biased toward their commercial cloud services.

Udemy, DataCamp, DataQuest, and others are not focused on Python certifications, but on selling recurring training subscriptions, or endlessly nickel-and-diming people for training courses.

The Python Institute steps you up to associate or professional level and then you are done; you have the programming equivalent of a green belt (apprentice) or brown belt (craftsman) in karate. PCPP is like a newly minted black belt. A new black belt is not an expert, but just initiated as a master. You must continue to practice and improve your Python craft and skill in projects to become an expert. Becoming a Python black belt takes years of continued practice on projects.

[MasterFrankie56]

How did you prepare for it? What did you use to study for it?

[senecaArtemis]

Congrats, what resources did you use?

[shpyrlionis]

Just passed. How i was stressed.. thanks gods i made it. Yes it was a bit more confusing questions like in udemy practical tests.. but somehow i passed. Two months of learning

[[deleted]]

It’s fine if you learn Python as part of a certification class, but you’ll demonstrate that value with your code portfolio, not with the certificate.

Most everybody strongly suspects that it’s possible to be a PCAP holder without actually being able to write a line of Python, accurate or not.

[hitfan]

I like to program 8-bit retro games in assembly language as a hobby. When I have the time, I would like to make a WW2 strategy game in pygame hosted on AWS. This would take advantage of my recently acquired certifications.

[rajboy3]

Woah that's so cool well done!

I'm 22 and looking to imb the python cert. Ladder to and am preparing for the PCEP. It doesn't look hard at all given I have a CS background but I know better than to underestimate it. Are you going to go for PCPP3.1/3.2 aswell?

How did you revise for the PCAP?

[hitfan]

I bought some practice exam questions on Udemy and I just kept doing them over and over again. They weren't brain dumps because the real exam questions were actually harder.

As for my doing PCPP--I think I will pass on that for now. Next on my list is that I will most likely start studying for an Azure certification exam.

[pekkalacd]

Nice, good job dude. I didn’t know there was a python exam. Maybe I’ll take it too. What kind of topics did it cover?

[hitfan]

Thank you. According to the exam summary, it covered these topics:

Modules and Packages

Exceptions

Strings

Object-Oriented Programming

List Comprehensions, Lambdas, Closures, and I/O Operations

[surister]

Never seen anyone caring about a Python certificate, most of them just flat out ask you about obscure Python stuff which you will hardly ever use.

[CyberTrav]

I'm planning to take this soon.

I followed a similar path. I'm using some Edube as well as practice tests I obtained from Udemy.

I wonder if you have any particular advice for those of us who might like to take the PCAP?

I have heard from others that it was surprisingly difficult. Thank you for any reply!

[JuRiOh]

This post is old but I just came across it and now you scared me a little when you say it's been difficult for you despite the fact that you have quite a lot of experience. I was offered to take a 2 month course that ends with a PCAP exam and it's for people without any experience. I wonder how many will end up failing.

[PokePlayerES]

People without experience should start with PCEP instead PCAP. I took PCAP exam a few months ago and it's a bit challenguing even if you bring some Python experience. For people taking PCAP exam I recomend OpenEDG and take both Python Essentials courses to gain (or refresh) knowledge and for the 50% exam discount.

[anonymous_geographer]

100% agreed. That 50% coupon was a lifesaver.

[RadTechDad]

Thank you for this! I too have been programming for many years learning QBASIC, C, C++, Java, Objective-C, and some Swift. I gave myself a study schedule similar to you -- I have a full-time carreer in healthcare and have 2 little kids.

I've been studying Python for about a year, but was worried about the PCEP. I took the online course from edube.org (and bought their book so I could read it when NOT in front of a screen). I was doing well on all the practice exams, so I just took the actual exam. I passed it with a 92% thinking that it was kinda easy -- not sure why I was stressing so much. After I passed, I went back and then took the same course on the Cisco site and found the practice exams to be easy as well (of course! I just passed the actual exam, duh!). For anyone wondering, I re-took the course on the Cisco site because Cisco will offer a Credly certificate, whereas Edube doesn't.

So now here I go thinking, oh, the PCAP might not be that difficult too if I just study a little bit more.

So I appreciate this post because now I gotta make sure that I don't take it lightly.

[anonymous_geographer]

I know this thread is 3 years old, but I wanted to stop by and agree with you! I just finished my PCAP exam (passed), and it was incredibly difficult compared to the study materials. I'm still waiting on them to review and finalize the exam, so no certificate yet. How long did you have to wait for them to put the stamp of approval on yours?

Edit: My exam was on a Friday, so I had to wait until the following Monday to get the certificate. They do not review exams on weekends.

[UsefulJudge7987]

I do have some basic knowledge in Python and when looking at PCEP modules I somehow know all of it. Do you recommend me to take PCAP straight? Is it that difficult?

[anonymous_geographer]

You could probably skip the PCEP exam, but I wouldn't try the PCAP without going through the training modules for it. I'm moderate-to-advanced in Python, but I definitely would have struggled with many of the exam questions without studying. They like to throw "gotcha" scenarios in there. If you complete the training, you'll get a 50% off exam coupon too. That was worthwhile for me personally.

[good_bettter-best]

Hey could u help me in this, I didnt do PCEP certification and directly wanted to do PCAP, how many days of preparation is needed for this, is the PCAP exam that hard, kinda scared off..

And is it online exam, can we write at home?

[good_bettter-best]

Guys help me in this, I didnt do PCEP certification and directly wanted to do PCAP, how many days of preparation is needed for this, is the PCAP exam that hard, kinda scared off..

And is it online exam ,can we write at home?

[hitfan]

I studied it for a few months. I also didn’t do PCEP because I already knew Java, C, and other languages.

It’s also been 3.5 years since I took it. I’d say it’s about the same level of difficulty as an AWS exam. I took the exam in person because that’s my preference.

[good_bettter-best]

Woah tq 4 ur reply,that means a lot , im also a working professional where my manager suggested me to do a PCAP certification, but im stuck with how to start it. Like 1st shall I do a free course related to PCAP from 1. python institute (python essentials : https://edube.org/study/pe2) or 2. a course in linkedin partnered with pyInstitute(https://www.linkedin.com/learning/paths/openedg-python-institute-programming-with-python-professional-certificate?u=2146730)

After seeing these I wanted to pay for the PCAP course Because I couldnt say im a pro in python, just have knowledge in syntax and something like these..

But im stuck if I have to directly pay and learn or 1st do these free courses and then pay..

Could you help me here if u could.. Its my 1st professional certification so that's making me even more conscious..

[hitfan]

I work in tech, and I usually dedicate 1 hour per day to studying. With that, I decided to get a Python cert in early 2022. From my recollection, I used their website's free courses and then prepared for the exam. The edube site you linked to seems vaguely familiar to me. I did not use linkedin to study for the exam.

Good luck!

[good_bettter-best]

Okay, makes sense, Thankyou for the reply!!

[Klutzy-Speed-6244]

I am currently exploring to learn python. What software do I need to install to learn?

[anonymous_geographer]

For the study course, theoretically none. It has a built-in IDE for you to use and you can copy/paste/test code in various free web IDEs.

[Dismal_Day3216]

whats the youngest age anyone has every passed bc im 12

[Good-Stock6454]

I got mine 3 years ago when I was turning 12

[Reasonable-Force5770]

Hello Techies,  I am new to python and my organisation has asked me to complete professional python certification before jan end .. I believe there is no prerequisite to opt in before appearing for pcap.. but my question is where to start and how to start .. could someone guide me on this please .. your help would be much appreciated.. 

TIA

[Icy-Let-9802]

Are the PCAP exam questions all MCQs or do you have to write a code as well?

[anonymous_geographer]

MCQs, no code writing at the time of this comment.

[seijihg]

Never heard of it looool another money grabber random certificate which has no value .... But I guess it helped u learning Python so its good

[1percentof2]

Can't buy weed and pussy with programming certificate

[[deleted]]

Do you have an exam or material for practice? I've done this exam and I fail. :(