Built-in markers (skip, skipif, xfail) in PyTest - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of pytest with skip marker

What will be the test execution result when running this pytest code?

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.mark.skip(reason="Not ready yet")
def test_example():
    assert 1 == 1

A The test is skipped and reported as skipped.

B The test runs and passes.

C The test runs and fails.

D SyntaxError occurs due to incorrect marker usage.

💡 Hint

The skip marker tells pytest not to run the test but to mark it as skipped.

The @pytest.mark.skip decorator prevents the test from running and pytest reports it as skipped with the given reason.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Behavior of skipif marker with condition

What will pytest report when running this test on a Linux system?

PyTest

import pytest
import sys

@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform != 'linux', reason='Only runs on Linux')
def test_linux_only():
    assert True

A Test always runs and passes regardless of OS.

B Test runs and passes on Linux; skipped on other OS.

C Test always skipped regardless of OS.

D Test fails with ImportError.

💡 Hint

skipif skips the test only if the condition is True.

The test runs only if sys.platform is 'linux'. On Linux it runs and passes; on other OS it is skipped.

❓ assertion

advanced

Assertion outcome with xfail marker

Given this pytest test marked with xfail, what is the final test report status if the assertion fails?

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.mark.xfail(reason='Known bug')
def test_buggy():
    assert 1 == 2

A Test is skipped.

B Test is reported as failed.

C Test is reported as passed.

D Test is reported as xfailed (expected failure).

💡 Hint

xfail marks tests expected to fail without failing the suite.

When a test marked xfail fails, pytest reports it as xfailed, meaning expected failure, not a failure.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

xfail with passing test behavior

What will pytest report if a test marked with xfail actually passes?

PyTest

import pytest

@pytest.mark.xfail(reason='Known bug')
def test_fixed():
    assert 2 == 2

A Test is reported as xpassed (unexpected pass).

B Test is reported as failed.

C Test is reported as passed.

D Test is skipped.

💡 Hint

xfail expects failure; passing is unexpected.

If a test marked xfail passes, pytest reports it as xpassed, meaning it passed unexpectedly.

🔧 Debug

expert

Identify the error in skipif usage

Which option correctly identifies the error in this pytest code snippet?

PyTest

import pytest
import sys

@pytest.mark.skipif(sys.platform == "win32", reason='Skip on Windows')
def test_func():
    assert True

A The condition is a string and should be a boolean expression, causing the test to always skip.

B The reason parameter is missing, causing a TypeError.

C There is no error; the code runs and skips on Windows.

D The skipif marker is used incorrectly; it should be skip instead.

💡 Hint

skipif expects a boolean condition, not a string.

The condition is a boolean expression, so the test skips only on Windows as intended.