APWA CERTIFIED PUBLIC WORKS
PROFESSIONAL – MANAGEMENT
(CPWP-M) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. Under the GASB 34 reporting requirements, which approach allows a public works agency
to avoid depreciating infrastructure assets if they are maintained at a specific condition level?
A. The Straight-Line Method
B. The Historical Cost Basis
C. The Modified Approach
D. The Replacement Cost Method
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Modified Approach under GASB 34 allows governments to
report infrastructure assets without depreciation, provided they manage them using an
asset management system and document that the assets are being preserved at or above a
condition level established by the government.
2. In the context of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum,
which level of participation involves a promise to ‘implement what the public decides’?
A. Involve
,B. Collaborate
C. Consult
D. Empower
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Empower’ level is the highest level of the IAP2 spectrum,
where the final decision-making authority is placed in the hands of the public.
3. Which of the following best describes ‘Qualifications-Based Selection’ (QBS) in
procurement for professional engineering services?
A. Selecting the firm with the lowest bid price regardless of experience.
B. A process where price is the primary factor in the initial ranking.
C. Selecting a firm based on technical competence and then negotiating a fair price.
D. A mandatory requirement for all construction equipment purchases.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: QBS is a procurement process where the most qualified firm is
selected first based on their experience and technical skills, and the fee is negotiated after
the selection.
4. A Public Works Manager is reviewing the ‘Critical Path’ of a bridge replacement project.
What happens if a task on the critical path is delayed by two days?
A. The project budget will automatically increase by 10%.
, B. The project will utilize ‘float’ and remain on schedule.
C. The project completion date will be delayed by two days.
D. Non-critical tasks will be accelerated to compensate.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The critical path is the sequence of stages determining the
minimum time needed for an operation. Tasks on the critical path have zero float; any delay
directly impacts the project finish date.
5. Which federal act regulates the discharge of pollutants into the ‘waters of the United
States’ and requires MS4 permits for stormwater management?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
C. Clean Water Act (CWA)
D. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for
regulating pollutant discharges, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) program which covers MS4s.
PROFESSIONAL – MANAGEMENT
(CPWP-M) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. Under the GASB 34 reporting requirements, which approach allows a public works agency
to avoid depreciating infrastructure assets if they are maintained at a specific condition level?
A. The Straight-Line Method
B. The Historical Cost Basis
C. The Modified Approach
D. The Replacement Cost Method
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Modified Approach under GASB 34 allows governments to
report infrastructure assets without depreciation, provided they manage them using an
asset management system and document that the assets are being preserved at or above a
condition level established by the government.
2. In the context of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum,
which level of participation involves a promise to ‘implement what the public decides’?
A. Involve
,B. Collaborate
C. Consult
D. Empower
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘Empower’ level is the highest level of the IAP2 spectrum,
where the final decision-making authority is placed in the hands of the public.
3. Which of the following best describes ‘Qualifications-Based Selection’ (QBS) in
procurement for professional engineering services?
A. Selecting the firm with the lowest bid price regardless of experience.
B. A process where price is the primary factor in the initial ranking.
C. Selecting a firm based on technical competence and then negotiating a fair price.
D. A mandatory requirement for all construction equipment purchases.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: QBS is a procurement process where the most qualified firm is
selected first based on their experience and technical skills, and the fee is negotiated after
the selection.
4. A Public Works Manager is reviewing the ‘Critical Path’ of a bridge replacement project.
What happens if a task on the critical path is delayed by two days?
A. The project budget will automatically increase by 10%.
, B. The project will utilize ‘float’ and remain on schedule.
C. The project completion date will be delayed by two days.
D. Non-critical tasks will be accelerated to compensate.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The critical path is the sequence of stages determining the
minimum time needed for an operation. Tasks on the critical path have zero float; any delay
directly impacts the project finish date.
5. Which federal act regulates the discharge of pollutants into the ‘waters of the United
States’ and requires MS4 permits for stormwater management?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
C. Clean Water Act (CWA)
D. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for
regulating pollutant discharges, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) program which covers MS4s.
