NYC DCAS Construction Project Manager Exam –
Practice Questions & Answers |Plus Rationale
|2026 Update
Section 1: Project Management Fundamentals (Questions 1-
30)
Question 1
The primary responsibility of a construction project manager is to:
A) Perform physical construction work
B) Supervise union negotiations
C) Plan, coordinate, and control the project from start to finish
D) Approve architectural designs
Answer: C) Plan, coordinate, and control the project from start to finish
*Rationale: * The project manager oversees planning, coordination, scheduling,
budgeting, and execution to ensure project objectives are met. Construction PMs do not
perform physical work or act as architects; their role is management and coordination of
resources to deliver the project successfully .
Question 2
,Which document defines the scope, objectives, and participants of a construction
project?
A) Change order
B) Request for Information (RFI)
C) Project charter
D) Daily log
Answer: C) Project charter
*Rationale: * The project charter formally authorizes the project and outlines scope, goals,
and stakeholder roles. It establishes the project manager's authority and provides the
foundation for all project planning activities .
Question 3
A critical path in project scheduling refers to:
A) The most expensive sequence of tasks
B) Tasks that can be delayed without impact
C) The longest sequence of dependent tasks determining project duration
D) Tasks performed simultaneously
Answer: C) The longest sequence of dependent tasks determining project duration
*Rationale: * The critical path identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks that
determines the overall project completion time. Any delay on the critical path directly
delays project completion .
Question 4
Which scheduling tool visually displays tasks over time?
A) CPM diagram
B) PERT chart
C) Gantt chart
D) Flowchart
,Answer: C) Gantt chart
*Rationale: * A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that visually displays project tasks
against a timeline. It is widely used for scheduling and progress tracking due to its
intuitive, easy-to-read format .
Question 5
The purpose of a Request for Information (RFI) is to:
A) Request payment
B) Report safety violations
C) Clarify contract documents or specifications
D) Approve material substitutions
Answer: C) Clarify contract documents or specifications
*Rationale: * RFIs are formal requests used to resolve ambiguities, discrepancies, or
missing information in contract documents before work proceeds. They help prevent errors
and costly rework .
Question 6
Which contract type places the greatest cost risk on the contractor?
A) Time and materials
B) Cost-plus
C) Lump sum (fixed price)
D) Unit price
Answer: C) Lump sum (fixed price)
*Rationale: * In a lump sum contract, the contractor agrees to complete the work for a
fixed price regardless of cost overruns. This places the greatest financial risk on the
contractor, incentivizing efficient performance .
, Question 7
Project cost control primarily involves:
A) Increasing labor productivity
B) Eliminating inspections
C) Monitoring actual costs against the budget
D) Reducing scope
Answer: C) Monitoring actual costs against the budget
*Rationale: * Cost control ensures expenditures remain aligned with approved budgets
through ongoing monitoring and variance analysis. The Project Manager compares actual
costs against the budget to identify and address overruns .
Question 8
The main purpose of a safety toolbox talk is to:
A) Train new employees
B) Review contracts
C) Address specific job-site safety issues
D) Conduct performance reviews
Answer: C) Address specific job-site safety issues
*Rationale: * Toolbox talks are brief safety meetings focused on immediate hazards and
preventive measures relevant to the day's work. They promote situational awareness and
reinforce safety culture .
Question 9
Submittals are used to:
A) Request additional funding
B) Schedule inspections
C) Verify materials and methods meet project requirements
D) Report delays
Practice Questions & Answers |Plus Rationale
|2026 Update
Section 1: Project Management Fundamentals (Questions 1-
30)
Question 1
The primary responsibility of a construction project manager is to:
A) Perform physical construction work
B) Supervise union negotiations
C) Plan, coordinate, and control the project from start to finish
D) Approve architectural designs
Answer: C) Plan, coordinate, and control the project from start to finish
*Rationale: * The project manager oversees planning, coordination, scheduling,
budgeting, and execution to ensure project objectives are met. Construction PMs do not
perform physical work or act as architects; their role is management and coordination of
resources to deliver the project successfully .
Question 2
,Which document defines the scope, objectives, and participants of a construction
project?
A) Change order
B) Request for Information (RFI)
C) Project charter
D) Daily log
Answer: C) Project charter
*Rationale: * The project charter formally authorizes the project and outlines scope, goals,
and stakeholder roles. It establishes the project manager's authority and provides the
foundation for all project planning activities .
Question 3
A critical path in project scheduling refers to:
A) The most expensive sequence of tasks
B) Tasks that can be delayed without impact
C) The longest sequence of dependent tasks determining project duration
D) Tasks performed simultaneously
Answer: C) The longest sequence of dependent tasks determining project duration
*Rationale: * The critical path identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks that
determines the overall project completion time. Any delay on the critical path directly
delays project completion .
Question 4
Which scheduling tool visually displays tasks over time?
A) CPM diagram
B) PERT chart
C) Gantt chart
D) Flowchart
,Answer: C) Gantt chart
*Rationale: * A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that visually displays project tasks
against a timeline. It is widely used for scheduling and progress tracking due to its
intuitive, easy-to-read format .
Question 5
The purpose of a Request for Information (RFI) is to:
A) Request payment
B) Report safety violations
C) Clarify contract documents or specifications
D) Approve material substitutions
Answer: C) Clarify contract documents or specifications
*Rationale: * RFIs are formal requests used to resolve ambiguities, discrepancies, or
missing information in contract documents before work proceeds. They help prevent errors
and costly rework .
Question 6
Which contract type places the greatest cost risk on the contractor?
A) Time and materials
B) Cost-plus
C) Lump sum (fixed price)
D) Unit price
Answer: C) Lump sum (fixed price)
*Rationale: * In a lump sum contract, the contractor agrees to complete the work for a
fixed price regardless of cost overruns. This places the greatest financial risk on the
contractor, incentivizing efficient performance .
, Question 7
Project cost control primarily involves:
A) Increasing labor productivity
B) Eliminating inspections
C) Monitoring actual costs against the budget
D) Reducing scope
Answer: C) Monitoring actual costs against the budget
*Rationale: * Cost control ensures expenditures remain aligned with approved budgets
through ongoing monitoring and variance analysis. The Project Manager compares actual
costs against the budget to identify and address overruns .
Question 8
The main purpose of a safety toolbox talk is to:
A) Train new employees
B) Review contracts
C) Address specific job-site safety issues
D) Conduct performance reviews
Answer: C) Address specific job-site safety issues
*Rationale: * Toolbox talks are brief safety meetings focused on immediate hazards and
preventive measures relevant to the day's work. They promote situational awareness and
reinforce safety culture .
Question 9
Submittals are used to:
A) Request additional funding
B) Schedule inspections
C) Verify materials and methods meet project requirements
D) Report delays
