PMI-SP Sample Questions & Answers
Collecting activity and resource status for schedule analysis and audits carries the largest share, alongside building the work breakdown structure and estimating durations, schedule strategy and policy, closing out the schedule, and stakeholder communications.
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- Question 1Intermediate
Schedule Strategy · Establish Schedule Objectives and Goals
An organization requires that all schedule variances exceeding 10% be reported to the steering committee. In which document should this threshold be explicitly defined?
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Correct answer: A
The Schedule Management Plan establishes the criteria and the activities for developing, monitoring, and controlling the schedule. This includes control thresholds for variance reporting.
- Question 2Intermediate
Schedule Strategy · Establish Schedule Approach
A scheduler is advising a project team on setting up their schedule model. The project involves high uncertainty and evolving requirements. Which scheduling approach would allow for high-level planning of the overall timeline while detailing only the immediate iteration?
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Correct answer: A
Adaptive (or Agile) scheduling uses iterative and incremental planning. It works best for projects with high uncertainty, where detailed planning is done only for the upcoming iteration.
- Question 3Advanced
Schedule Planning and Development · Develop and Optimize Schedule
Consider the following network diagram logic:
Activity A (5 days) -> Activity B (4 days)
Activity A (5 days) -> Activity C (6 days)
Activity B (4 days) -> Activity D (5 days)
Activity C (6 days) -> Activity D (5 days)What is the Free Float of Activity B?
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Correct answer: C
Path 1: A-B-D = 5+4+5 = 14 days.
Path 2: A-C-D = 5+6+5 = 16 days (Critical Path).
Early Start of D is 11 (after C finishes at 5+6=11).
Early Finish of B is 9 (5+4).
Free Float of B = ES of successor (D) - EF of B = 11 - 9 = 2 days.graph LR A[A: 5d] --> B[B: 4d] A --> C[C: 6d] B --> D[D: 5d] C --> D - Question 4Intermediate
Schedule Planning and Development · Sequence Activities and Network Diagrams
When defining activities for a new software module, the team identifies a 'Finish-to-Start' relationship between 'Code Module' and 'Test Module'. However, the testing team states they can begin testing the initial components 2 days before coding is fully complete. Which dependency modification best represents this scenario?
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Correct answer: C
A Lead allows a successor activity to start before the predecessor has finished. A 2-day lead on a Finish-to-Start relationship means testing can start 2 days before coding finishes.
- Question 5Intermediate
Schedule Planning and Development · Estimate Durations and Resources
You are using the Three-Point Estimating (Beta/PERT) technique. An activity has an Optimistic estimate of 4 days, a Most Likely estimate of 7 days, and a Pessimistic estimate of 16 days. What is the expected duration?
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Correct answer: B
The PERT Beta formula is (O + 4M + P) / 6.
(4 + 4(7) + 16) / 6 = (4 + 28 + 16) / 6 = 48 / 6 = 8 days. - Question 6Intermediate
Schedule Planning and Development · Estimate Durations and Resources
A project manager applies Resource Leveling to a schedule where a key specialist is over-allocated. What is the most likely consequence of this action on the project schedule?
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Correct answer: C
Resource Leveling balances demand for resources with available supply. It often extends the schedule because tasks are delayed until resources are available, which can change the critical path and increase duration.
- Question 7Advanced
Schedule Planning and Development · Develop and Optimize Schedule
Case Study Scenario:
A construction company is building a new data center. The project has a fixed completion date of December 31st. Currently, the project is on track, but a critical component delivery has been delayed by 2 weeks. The project manager reviews the schedule and notes the following:
- Activity A (Foundation) is complete.
- Activity B (Framework) is on the critical path and has 0 float.
- Activity C (Wiring) has 5 days of Total Float.
- Activity D (HVAC) has 10 days of Free Float.
The manager decides to perform 'Crashing' on Activity B.
What is the primary implication of this decision?
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Correct answer: C
Crashing involves adding resources (money, labor, equipment) to critical path activities to shorten duration. The primary trade-off is increased cost. (Fast Tracking would increase risk).
- Question 8Intermediate
Schedule Planning and Development · Develop and Optimize Schedule
Which of the following best describes the difference between 'Free Float' and 'Total Float'?
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Correct answer: D
Total Float (or Slack) relates to the project end date. Free Float relates to the immediate successor's Early Start date.
- Question 9Beginner
Schedule Planning and Development · Estimate Durations and Resources
A project manager is using Parametric Estimating to determine the duration of a cable-laying activity. The team knows from past projects that they can lay 100 meters of cable per hour. The total length required is 5,000 meters. What is the estimated duration in hours?
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Correct answer: C
Parametric estimating uses a statistical relationship between historical data and other variables. 5,000 meters / 100 meters per hour = 50 hours.
- Question 10Beginner
Schedule Planning and Development · Sequence Activities and Network Diagrams
Which of the following is NOT a valid dependency type in the Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)?
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Correct answer: B
The four valid PDM relationships are Finish-to-Start (FS), Finish-to-Finish (FF), Start-to-Start (SS), and Start-to-Finish (SF). 'Start-to-End' is not standard terminology in PDM.
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