Software Engineering Question Bank

Python temporary password rule check

2025-hsc-se-q19 · Code Response · 3 marks

Source: NESA 2025 HSC Software Engineering HSC Q19

Question

In an organisation, temporary passwords are automatically generated for new user accounts. Each password is created from the first three letters of the username followed by 123.

For example, the username NESA will have the password NES123.

When a user logs in for the first time, they are asked for their username and password. They receive a welcome message or an error message, depending on whether the password entered follows the rules of new user accounts.

Write a Python program that asks a new user for their username and password, and then checks whether the password rule has been followed.

Response

Reveal answer 
username = input("What is your username? ")
password = input("What is your password? ")

expected_password = username[:3] + "123"

if expected_password == password:
    print("Welcome!")
else:
    print("Incorrect password entered")

Marking rubric

MarksDescription
3Provides correct code for the problem.
2Provides partially correct code that includes a correct selection structure or password creation.
1Shows some understanding of the scenario and Python programming.

Explanation

The program needs to create the expected password from the first three characters of the username, append 123, then compare this with the entered password.

Metadata

Submitter
Seed data
Created
2026-05-02
Status
published
Syllabus
y12-project-design-construct-implement-solution
Tags
Python strings selection password validation