PCAP Certification – Python Theory Study Guide (Part 1)

This course is the first part of a two-part series designed to thoroughly prepare students for the PCAP™ – Certified Associate in Python Programming exam, with a strong emphasis on the theoretical knowledge required to pass the certification.

Whether you are transitioning from the PCEP certification or beginning your preparation directly for PCAP, this course will provide you with a clear and structured understanding of essential Python concepts. The material is organized to build a solid foundation before diving into practical coding exercises or more advanced subjects.

By the end of this course, learners will have a confident grasp of key exam topics, with a particular focus on the design, behavior, and structure of Python programs as defined by the PCAP exam objectives.

Topics covered in this course include:

• Installing Python and setting up a working development environment, including recommendations for tools and editors suitable for beginners and certification candidates
• Understanding how Python handles modularization, the purpose and use of modules and packages, and managing third-party libraries using the pip package manager
• Exploring strings in depth, including creation, indexing, slicing, immutability, and a wide range of commonly used string methods that are essential for writing efficient Python code
• Introducing exception handling in Python, with explanations of the try, except, else, and finally blocks, and how exceptions are used to manage errors gracefully
• Examining the built-in exception class hierarchy in Python, including how exceptions are organized, how they propagate, and how to handle specific vs. general exceptions effectively

This course is intended for students preparing for the PCAP certification, individuals who have completed PCEP and are ready to advance, and anyone seeking a comprehensive, theory-driven approach to learning Python at an intermediate level. To complete the theoretical coverage required for the exam, students should continue with PCAP Theory – Part 2, which continues from where this course ends.