Command-line options in PyTest - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of pytest with verbose option

What is the output behavior when running pytest -v on a test file with 3 passing tests?

PyTest

def test_one():
    assert 1 == 1

def test_two():
    assert 2 == 2

def test_three():
    assert 3 == 3

A pytest shows only a summary line with dots for each test

B pytest runs tests silently without showing any test names

C pytest stops after the first test and shows only one test result

D pytest shows detailed test names and statuses for all 3 tests

💡 Hint

The -v option stands for verbose output.

The -v option makes pytest show each test's name and result instead of just dots.

❓ assertion

intermediate

Correct assertion for exit code with pytest --maxfail=1

You run pytest --maxfail=1 on a test suite with multiple failing tests. Which assertion correctly checks that pytest stopped after the first failure?

PyTest

import subprocess
result = subprocess.run(['pytest', '--maxfail=1'], capture_output=True, text=True)
exit_code = result.returncode

A assert exit_code == 1 # pytest exits with 1 on failure

B assert exit_code == None # pytest does not return exit code

C assert exit_code > 1 # pytest exits with code >1 on maxfail

D assert exit_code == 0 # pytest exits with 0 even if tests fail

💡 Hint

pytest returns 0 if all tests pass, 1 if any test fails.

pytest returns exit code 1 when tests fail, including when stopped by --maxfail.

❓ locator

advanced

Best locator for pytest to run tests in a specific directory

You want to run pytest only on tests inside the tests/integration folder. Which command correctly locates and runs those tests?

A pytest --dir=tests/integration

B pytest -k tests/integration

C pytest tests/integration

D pytest -m tests/integration

💡 Hint

pytest accepts folder paths as positional arguments to run tests there.

Passing the folder path as an argument runs tests only in that folder.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Identify the error in pytest command usage

Which pytest command will cause an error when trying to run tests with keyword expression login and not slow?

A pytest -k login and not slow

B pytest -k 'login and not slow'

C pytest -k "login and not slow"

D pytest -k "login and not slow" --maxfail=2

💡 Hint

Shell interprets unquoted words separately.

Option A lacks quotes, so shell treats 'and' and 'not' as separate commands causing error.

❓ framework

expert

Effect of pytest --tb=short option on test failure output

What is the effect of running pytest with the --tb=short option on the traceback shown for failed tests?

A Shows the full detailed traceback with all calls

B Shows a shortened traceback with only the last call and error message

C Suppresses all traceback output completely

D Shows traceback only for tests marked as slow

💡 Hint

The --tb option controls traceback verbosity.

The --tb=short option shortens the traceback to the last call and error message only.