Python Exam Rescue Sheet

Use this when you need the shortest clean recall for the normal assignment track.

Concepts

• Types, expressions, and operators decide what a value can do.
• Branching decides which path runs.
• Loops decide how many times the same rule repeats.
• Collections decide shape, order, and mutability.
• Functions decide how to package a repeatable step.
• Classes decide where state lives.

Facts

• String methods return new strings unless stated otherwise.
• Lists are mutable, tuples are not.
• Dictionaries map keys to values, so key choice matters.
• Recursion needs a base case and a shrinking step.
• File work needs exact conversion and header handling.

Procedure

1. Read the prompt and mark the data type first.
2. Decide whether the task is branch, loop, collection, file, recursion, or object based.
3. Trace the state step by step.
4. Check the final value against the required format.
5. Re-read for off-by-one and mutation mistakes.

Duration / path / outcome

• Short path: identify type, apply rule, verify output.
• Medium path: loop or collection transformation, then final check.
• Long path: file processing or recursion, where intermediate state matters.
• Outcome should always match the exact requested type and structure.

Stages / phases / spectrum

• Syntax phase: does the code even parse conceptually?
• Logic phase: does the control flow match the question?
• State phase: did anything mutate unexpectedly?
• Output phase: does the answer format match the ask?

Jargon

• Mutability, scope, iteration, recursion, header, delimiter, instance, class, key, value.

Refresher

• For Weeks 1 to 4, think syntax and control flow.
• For Weeks 5 to 8, think collection and pipeline behavior.
• For Weeks 9 to 10, think recursion and object state.

Handbook

• Keep the assignment open beside the note.
• Check every function and method call for return type.
• Do not trust memory for string or list behavior.
• If you are stuck, rebuild the smallest example first.