This problem teaches valuable techniques:
set() removes duplicates. Use this when you need unique values.
sorted() with reverse=True orders from highest to lowest.
Combining operations: sorted(set(scores)) chains transformations.
There are often multiple valid approaches. The sorting solution runs in time and uses space for the sorted result. The two-variable approach runs in time and uses space. For small inputs, clarity matters more than speed.
Read the problem carefully. "Second highest" means second unique value, not second position.