APWA CERTIFIED PUBLIC WORKS
PROFESSIONAL – MANAGEMENT
(CPWP-M) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. Under GASB Statement No. 34, what is the ‘modified approach’ for reporting infrastructure
assets?
A. Depreciating assets over their estimated useful lives.
B. Expensing all maintenance costs while not depreciating assets, provided a minimum
condition level is maintained.
C. Reporting only new capital improvements while ignoring historical costs.
D. Using replacement cost minus accumulated depreciation for all assets.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The modified approach allows governments to skip depreciation
if they manage assets using an asset management system and document that assets are
being preserved at or above a condition level established by the government.
2. When developing a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which period of time is most
standard for a long-range financial plan?
A. 5 to 6 years
,B. 1 to 2 years
C. 10 to 12 years
D. 20 to 25 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While master plans look further ahead, a standard CIP is
typically a 5 to 6-year schedule that identifies capital projects and equipment purchases,
providing a planning schedule and identifying options for financing.
3. A public works manager is using a ‘QBS’ process to hire an engineering firm. What does
QBS stand for?
A. Qualified Budgeting Strategy
B. Qualifications-Based Selection
C. Quality Based Selection
D. Quantitative Bid System
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a procurement process
for the selection of professional services where firms are evaluated based on their
qualifications rather than fee proposals.
, 4. Which leadership style is characterized by a leader who focuses on the growth and well-
being of people and the communities to which they belong?
A. Autocratic Leadership
B. Transactional Leadership
C. Servant Leadership
D. Laissez-faire Leadership
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Servant leadership emphasizes the leader’s role as a steward of
the resources and people, prioritizing the needs of the team and the community over
personal power.
5. In the context of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which functional area
is responsible for all activities focused on reducing the immediate hazard and saving lives and
property?
A. Operations
B. Logistics
C. Finance/Administration
D. Planning
Answer: A
PROFESSIONAL – MANAGEMENT
(CPWP-M) PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE
1. Under GASB Statement No. 34, what is the ‘modified approach’ for reporting infrastructure
assets?
A. Depreciating assets over their estimated useful lives.
B. Expensing all maintenance costs while not depreciating assets, provided a minimum
condition level is maintained.
C. Reporting only new capital improvements while ignoring historical costs.
D. Using replacement cost minus accumulated depreciation for all assets.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The modified approach allows governments to skip depreciation
if they manage assets using an asset management system and document that assets are
being preserved at or above a condition level established by the government.
2. When developing a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which period of time is most
standard for a long-range financial plan?
A. 5 to 6 years
,B. 1 to 2 years
C. 10 to 12 years
D. 20 to 25 years
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: While master plans look further ahead, a standard CIP is
typically a 5 to 6-year schedule that identifies capital projects and equipment purchases,
providing a planning schedule and identifying options for financing.
3. A public works manager is using a ‘QBS’ process to hire an engineering firm. What does
QBS stand for?
A. Qualified Budgeting Strategy
B. Qualifications-Based Selection
C. Quality Based Selection
D. Quantitative Bid System
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) is a procurement process
for the selection of professional services where firms are evaluated based on their
qualifications rather than fee proposals.
, 4. Which leadership style is characterized by a leader who focuses on the growth and well-
being of people and the communities to which they belong?
A. Autocratic Leadership
B. Transactional Leadership
C. Servant Leadership
D. Laissez-faire Leadership
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Servant leadership emphasizes the leader’s role as a steward of
the resources and people, prioritizing the needs of the team and the community over
personal power.
5. In the context of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which functional area
is responsible for all activities focused on reducing the immediate hazard and saving lives and
property?
A. Operations
B. Logistics
C. Finance/Administration
D. Planning
Answer: A
