Python Institute Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP-30-02) Cert Prep

Course details

Python skills open doors in data analysis, development, and beyond—and the PCEP Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP-30-02) certification proves you have them. This course guides you through core Python concepts, from installation and first scripts to loops, functions, and data structures. Starting with data types, variables, operators, and expressions, you build a strong foundation before moving into control flow with conditionals and loops. Hands-on labs and challenges—like a movie ticket calculator and a number guessing game—reinforce each concept. You also write reusable functions, explore recursion, and build mini apps using lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets through guided projects like a to-do list manager and a contact book. The course wraps up with input/output, error handling, and exam prep strategies to help you approach the PCEP-30-02 with confidence.

Concepts

Introduction to Python and Programming

What is Python and what can it do
Installing Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux
Setting up your first Python script
Using the Python shell vs. scripts
Choosing an IDE - VS Code, PyCharm, or IDLE
Understanding programming terminology (variables, functions, etc.)
Python syntax basics - Indentation, comments, and code blocks

Data Types and Variables

Introduction to data types in Python
Variables and naming
Integers and float numbers - Basics and arithmetic
Strings - Creating and printing text
String concatenation and escape sequences
Booleans - True, False, and logical basics
Type conversion and casting (str, int, float, bool)

Operators and Expressions

Operators and expressions
Mini lab - Operators and expressions
Assignment operators
Comparison operators
Logical operators
Bitwise operators - Basics and use cases (light version)
Operator precedence and grouping with parentheses
Mini lab - Operator precedence and grouping with parentheses
Mini project - Temperature converter

Conditional Statements

Writing simple if statements
Adding an else statement
Using elif for multiple conditions
Mini lab - Build a simple grade evaluator
Nested if statements and best practices
Truthy and falsy values in conditions
Mini lab - Age checker with nested if conditions
Challenge - Movie ticket price calculator

Loops and Loop Control

The while loop - Syntax and examples
Infinite loops and breaking them
Mini lab - Create a countdown timer with while
The for loop - Iterating over sequences
Using range() in loops
Loop control statements - break, continue, and pass
Nested loops and loop design patterns
Mini lab - Print a multiplication table with loops
Mini project - Number guessing game (random number + while loop + break)

Functions

What are functions and why use them
Defining a function
Mini lab - Write a function to add two numbers
Function arguments and parameters
Returning values with return
Mini lab - Create a function that calculates the area of a circle
Scope - Local vs. global variables
Introduction to recursion
Mini lab - Write a recursive function to calculate factorial
Challenge task - Write a function that returns whether a number is even or odd

Data Collections - Lists, Tuples, Dictionaries, and Sets

Creating and accessing lists
List methods - append(), remove(), etc.
Slicing and iterating over lists
Mini lab - Build a simple grocery list app
Tuples - What makes them immutable
Dictionaries - Keys and values
Adding, accessing, and removing dictionary elements
Mini lab - Create a contact book using dictionaries
Sets - What they are and when to use them
Mini lab - Use sets to remove duplicates from a list
Mini project - To-do list manager

Input, Output, and Basic Errors

Using input() to get user input
Printing output - print() and formatting
Working with escape characters and multiline strings
Common errors and intro to try-except (minimal)
Mini lab - Build a simple login prompt using input and output
Challenge prompt - Create a simple quiz app

Final Preparation and Practice

What to expect on the PCEP exam
Study tips and common mistakes to avoid
How to practice effectively with coding challenges
Planning your next steps