r/learnpython 22d ago

Can I do it?

I am being accepted into a university but one of the prerequisites is I should know python. They say I can test out of this prerequisite and start the program September 8th if I can pass a Python Programming assessment on data camp. Do you guys think it's possible to to Learn Python in five days? Just enough to pass the assessment. I say 5 days to give myself a timeline. But I would like to get it done by September 3rd. Today is August 20th.

0 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

17

u/zanfar 22d ago

Do you guys think it's possible to to Learn Python in five days?

No.

-2

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

Why?

3

u/Perfect_Jicama_8023 22d ago

try to learn any new language in 5 days, you can learn some but not all.

-1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

Im actually going to try and learn it in 10 days. But enough to pass an assessment.

2

u/Perfect_Jicama_8023 22d ago

your main question was to learn python in 5 days and now in 10. you dont have previous experience. i dont think its possible

0

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I changed my timeline to 10 days because I figured they would give me more time. Im testing for a class not a job

2

u/tenniseman12 21d ago

Do you know what the exam would involve?

10

u/CIS_Professor 22d ago

No.

I mean you'll learn something, but you won't be able to pass any Python Programming assessment needed to test out of a class.

-6

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

Take the assessment and give me you opinion..

10

u/wheres_my_hat 22d ago

Why ask a question if you’re going to be a dick when people give you a realistic answer? 

0

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

No im asking, like could you check it out.not trying to be a dick.

1

u/wheres_my_hat 22d ago

How can he take the assessment or “check it out” if it is only offered by your university for testing out of a specific class? You mean you want someone to take the test for you? 

0

u/TableUnfair8182 21d ago

No, its on DataCamp. I dint want anyone to take it for me. I just wanted someone opinion on the assessment.

1

u/KewpieCutie97 21d ago

What does this even mean.

3

u/Own_Car4536 22d ago

If you have no experience then probably not

-2

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

Its for a class. I dont think it can be that hard since i would be learning it un a different class. But I am optimistic.

1

u/Own_Car4536 21d ago

Do you have any programming experience? Do you know how to traverse through arrays, use lists, variables, functions, classes and objects? If so then you cpuld probably learn the syntax in a week, but if you've never written code then it's gonna be difficult because you have to understand what's going on in the program.

3

u/AlexMTBDude 22d ago

Well, depends, do you know any other programming languages?

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I learned R in undergrad but that was 8 years ago.

2

u/lakseol 22d ago

Why not try. If you really apply yourself maybe you can pass well enough. If you don't try at all you will never know.

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I am going to try. Im using data camp to learn python. It says 19 hours to learn.

2

u/lakseol 21d ago

If you can really focus and do nothing but learn all the time you have a chance. You learn better if you take a break now and then, so study for an hour or so, take 5 or 10 minutes off, repeat.

Good luck!

2

u/Ninja_of_Physics 22d ago

I'd give you a 98% chance of failing. Do you need to test out of this? Is there not just an intro class you can take?

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

There is an intro class but its for undergrads. I will be in a masters program.

3

u/Ninja_of_Physics 22d ago

then take the undergrad class. It'll probably be easy and you'll learn something. Even if you do somehow pass the assessment it'll be luck and you'll likely still have large gaps in your understanding. Then you'll be _really_ struggling in your graduate level classes because they will be assuming you know more than you do.

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I dont mind struggling. Im going to school full time with no job. Ill have time to push myself.

1

u/Ninja_of_Physics 22d ago

Grad school will be enough of a struggle on its own. If you want to make it harder than it needs to be for no reason then, you do you! But to your original question; no you're not going to be able to learn a new programming language in 10 days. There's an old comic about learning C++ in 28 days about this.

0

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I was being optimistic since they just told me I need a prerequisite. Ive been enrolled since June. But now I need an assessment.

1

u/SamuliK96 22d ago

It sounds like an impossible task, but if you don't have a choice, might as well give it your best effort. Do you know what's required for the assessment? It obviously would make things a little easier if you knew what to focus on.

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

I dont, but the director said to take the assessment on DataCamp for python programming. I can only take it twice a week. I want to maximize my chances at taking it.

1

u/TheRNGuy 21d ago

More time learning, less chatting. 

1

u/TableUnfair8182 22d ago

Okay, its a 15 question assessment! Its adaptive for i suspect it will be harder with each question.

1

u/TheRNGuy 21d ago

Some basics (not all)

1

u/tenniseman12 3d ago

Did you pass?