# Check Variable Values

## Simple variable value

To check a variable value you need to import the student's code and use dot notation to get the value.

Example, maybe you ask students to assign a variable named `num1` the value of `5`.

**Student Code:**

{% code title="example.py" %}

```python
num1 = 5
```

{% endcode %}

**Grading Tests:**

```python
import unittest

class CodingRoomsUnitTests(unittest.TestCase):

    def test_default_case(self):
        import example
        self.assertTrue(example.num1 == 5)

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()
```

## Number of items in a list

You can do anything you need to with a student's variable value.  For example, we can see if a student created a list with at least 3 items using the `len()` function. 

**Student Code:**

{% code title="example.py" %}

```python
my_list = ["first thing", "second thing", "third thing"]
```

{% endcode %}

**Grading Tests:**

```python
import unittest

class CodingRoomsUnitTests(unittest.TestCase):

    def test_default_case(self):
        import example
        self.assertTrue( len(example.my_list) >= 3 )

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main()
```