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CAPM® – CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT
MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION EXAM |
STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
EXAM REVIEW
Table of Contents
1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts (36%)
2. Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies (17%)
3. Agile Frameworks and Methodologies (20%)
4. Business Analysis Frameworks (27%)
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DOMAIN 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS AND CORE CONCEPTS (36%)
Question 1: An organization is launching a new initiative to develop a mobile banking
application. The work involves a single, temporary endeavor with a defined start and end
date, and the result is a unique product. How should this initiative be classified?
A) A program
B) A portfolio
C) A project
D) An operation
Correct Answer: C) A project
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
It has a defined beginning and end, and the outcome is distinct from routine operations. A
program is a group of related projects managed together, a portfolio is a collection of
programs and projects aligned with strategic objectives, and operations are ongoing and
repetitive.
Question 2: A project manager is reviewing the project's scope statement and notices it
describes the boundaries of the work, the deliverables, and the acceptance criteria. The
project manager also sees a separate document that outlines how the project will be
executed, monitored, and controlled. What is this separate document called?
A) Project charter
B) Project management plan
C) Product management plan
D) Work breakdown structure
Correct Answer: B) Project management plan
The project management plan is the document that describes how the project will be
executed, monitored, controlled, and closed. It integrates all subsidiary plans and baselines.
The project charter formally authorizes the project, the product management plan focuses
on the product life cycle, and the WBS decomposes deliverables into work packages.
Question 3: During a project team meeting, a team member raises a concern about a
potential delay in receiving critical materials from a supplier. This concern has not yet
occurred but could affect the project if it does. How should this concern be classified?
A) An issue
B) A risk
C) An assumption
D) A constraint
Correct Answer: B) A risk
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A risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on
project objectives. It has not yet happened. An issue is a current problem, an assumption is
something believed to be true, and a constraint is a limiting factor.
Question 4: A project manager is leading a team that is developing a new software product.
The requirements are well-defined, the technology is stable, and the customer has a clear
vision of the final product. The project manager decides to use a sequential approach where
each phase is completed before the next begins. Which development approach is being
used?
A) Adaptive
B) Hybrid
C) Predictive
D) Agile
Correct Answer: C) Predictive
A predictive (waterfall) approach is appropriate when requirements are well-defined, the
scope is stable, and the technology is understood. Work proceeds sequentially through
phases. Adaptive and agile approaches are used when requirements are evolving, and hybrid
combines both.
Question 5: A project team member is reviewing the project's stakeholder register and
notices that a key regulatory agency has been classified as having high power and high
interest. What is the most appropriate engagement strategy for this stakeholder?
A) Monitor
B) Keep informed
C) Keep satisfied
D) Manage closely
Correct Answer: D) Manage closely
Stakeholders with high power and high interest must be managed closely, as they have both
the authority to influence the project and a strong interest in its outcomes. Monitoring is for
low-power, low-interest stakeholders; keeping informed is for low-power, high-interest; and
keeping satisfied is for high-power, low-interest.
Question 6: A project manager is working on a project with a team member who
consistently delivers high-quality work but rarely speaks during team meetings. The project
manager wants to ensure the team member's ideas are heard. What is the BEST action for
the project manager to take?
A) Require the team member to speak at the next meeting.
B) Have a private conversation to understand their communication style and create
alternative ways to contribute.
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C) Ignore the behavior since the work quality is high.
D) Assign the team member to a solo project.
Correct Answer: B) Have a private conversation to understand their communication style
and create alternative ways to contribute.
Effective project managers adapt their leadership style to individual team members.
Understanding the team member's communication preferences and offering alternative
contribution channels (e.g., written input) respects their style while ensuring their ideas are
captured. Forcing participation or ignoring the issue are not effective leadership practices.
Question 7: A project is in the execution phase when a team member identifies a new
requirement that was not included in the original scope. The project manager evaluates the
impact on scope, schedule, and cost. What should the project manager do NEXT?
A) Implement the change immediately.
B) Reject the change because it is out of scope.
C) Submit a change request to the change control board.
D) Add the requirement to the project backlog.
Correct Answer: C) Submit a change request to the change control board.
All changes that affect scope, schedule, or cost must go through the change control process.
The project manager should submit a change request to the change control board (CCB) for
evaluation and approval. Implementing the change without approval bypasses governance.
Question 8: A project manager is reviewing the project's risk register and sees a risk that has
been assigned a high probability and high impact. The team has decided to take action to
reduce the probability of the risk occurring. What risk response strategy is being used?
A) Avoid
B) Mitigate
C) Transfer
D) Accept
Correct Answer: B) Mitigate
Mitigation reduces the probability and/or impact of a risk. Avoidance eliminates the risk by
changing the project plan, transfer shifts the risk to a third party, and acceptance
acknowledges the risk without proactive action.
Question 9: A project team is working on a construction project. The project manager
notices that the team is in the storming stage of development, with some conflict arising
among team members about roles and responsibilities. What should the project manager
do?
CAPM® – CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN PROJECT
MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION EXAM |
STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
EXAM REVIEW
Table of Contents
1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts (36%)
2. Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies (17%)
3. Agile Frameworks and Methodologies (20%)
4. Business Analysis Frameworks (27%)
,Page 2 of 32
DOMAIN 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT FUNDAMENTALS AND CORE CONCEPTS (36%)
Question 1: An organization is launching a new initiative to develop a mobile banking
application. The work involves a single, temporary endeavor with a defined start and end
date, and the result is a unique product. How should this initiative be classified?
A) A program
B) A portfolio
C) A project
D) An operation
Correct Answer: C) A project
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
It has a defined beginning and end, and the outcome is distinct from routine operations. A
program is a group of related projects managed together, a portfolio is a collection of
programs and projects aligned with strategic objectives, and operations are ongoing and
repetitive.
Question 2: A project manager is reviewing the project's scope statement and notices it
describes the boundaries of the work, the deliverables, and the acceptance criteria. The
project manager also sees a separate document that outlines how the project will be
executed, monitored, and controlled. What is this separate document called?
A) Project charter
B) Project management plan
C) Product management plan
D) Work breakdown structure
Correct Answer: B) Project management plan
The project management plan is the document that describes how the project will be
executed, monitored, controlled, and closed. It integrates all subsidiary plans and baselines.
The project charter formally authorizes the project, the product management plan focuses
on the product life cycle, and the WBS decomposes deliverables into work packages.
Question 3: During a project team meeting, a team member raises a concern about a
potential delay in receiving critical materials from a supplier. This concern has not yet
occurred but could affect the project if it does. How should this concern be classified?
A) An issue
B) A risk
C) An assumption
D) A constraint
Correct Answer: B) A risk
,Page 3 of 32
A risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on
project objectives. It has not yet happened. An issue is a current problem, an assumption is
something believed to be true, and a constraint is a limiting factor.
Question 4: A project manager is leading a team that is developing a new software product.
The requirements are well-defined, the technology is stable, and the customer has a clear
vision of the final product. The project manager decides to use a sequential approach where
each phase is completed before the next begins. Which development approach is being
used?
A) Adaptive
B) Hybrid
C) Predictive
D) Agile
Correct Answer: C) Predictive
A predictive (waterfall) approach is appropriate when requirements are well-defined, the
scope is stable, and the technology is understood. Work proceeds sequentially through
phases. Adaptive and agile approaches are used when requirements are evolving, and hybrid
combines both.
Question 5: A project team member is reviewing the project's stakeholder register and
notices that a key regulatory agency has been classified as having high power and high
interest. What is the most appropriate engagement strategy for this stakeholder?
A) Monitor
B) Keep informed
C) Keep satisfied
D) Manage closely
Correct Answer: D) Manage closely
Stakeholders with high power and high interest must be managed closely, as they have both
the authority to influence the project and a strong interest in its outcomes. Monitoring is for
low-power, low-interest stakeholders; keeping informed is for low-power, high-interest; and
keeping satisfied is for high-power, low-interest.
Question 6: A project manager is working on a project with a team member who
consistently delivers high-quality work but rarely speaks during team meetings. The project
manager wants to ensure the team member's ideas are heard. What is the BEST action for
the project manager to take?
A) Require the team member to speak at the next meeting.
B) Have a private conversation to understand their communication style and create
alternative ways to contribute.
, Page 4 of 32
C) Ignore the behavior since the work quality is high.
D) Assign the team member to a solo project.
Correct Answer: B) Have a private conversation to understand their communication style
and create alternative ways to contribute.
Effective project managers adapt their leadership style to individual team members.
Understanding the team member's communication preferences and offering alternative
contribution channels (e.g., written input) respects their style while ensuring their ideas are
captured. Forcing participation or ignoring the issue are not effective leadership practices.
Question 7: A project is in the execution phase when a team member identifies a new
requirement that was not included in the original scope. The project manager evaluates the
impact on scope, schedule, and cost. What should the project manager do NEXT?
A) Implement the change immediately.
B) Reject the change because it is out of scope.
C) Submit a change request to the change control board.
D) Add the requirement to the project backlog.
Correct Answer: C) Submit a change request to the change control board.
All changes that affect scope, schedule, or cost must go through the change control process.
The project manager should submit a change request to the change control board (CCB) for
evaluation and approval. Implementing the change without approval bypasses governance.
Question 8: A project manager is reviewing the project's risk register and sees a risk that has
been assigned a high probability and high impact. The team has decided to take action to
reduce the probability of the risk occurring. What risk response strategy is being used?
A) Avoid
B) Mitigate
C) Transfer
D) Accept
Correct Answer: B) Mitigate
Mitigation reduces the probability and/or impact of a risk. Avoidance eliminates the risk by
changing the project plan, transfer shifts the risk to a third party, and acceptance
acknowledges the risk without proactive action.
Question 9: A project team is working on a construction project. The project manager
notices that the team is in the storming stage of development, with some conflict arising
among team members about roles and responsibilities. What should the project manager
do?
