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CAPM® — CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM PREP.
Table of Contents
1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
2. Project Integration Management
3. Project Scope Management
4. Project Schedule Management
5. Project Cost Management
6. Project Quality Management
7. Project Resource Management
8. Project Communications Management
9. Project Risk Management
10. Project Procurement Management
11. Project Stakeholder Management
12. Professional Responsibility and Ethics
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Question 1: A project manager is leading a complex software development project using a
hybrid approach. The sponsor requests a high-level timeline for the initial phase, but the
development team needs flexibility for iterative cycles. Which artifact should the project
manager create to satisfy both requirements?
A) A detailed Gantt chart with all sprint tasks
B) A milestone chart combined with a product roadmap
C) A work breakdown structure (WBS) dictionary
D) A resource histogram for the entire project
Correct Answer: B) A milestone chart combined with a product roadmap
A milestone chart provides the sponsor with a high-level timeline of key events and
deliverables, which is suitable for a hybrid project's initial phase. The product roadmap
offers the development team the flexibility to plan iterative cycles and adapt to changes,
aligning with agile principles. This combination effectively bridges predictive and adaptive
approaches.
Question 2: During a project's executing phase, a team member reports that a key supplier has
delivered materials that do not meet the specified quality standards. What is the project
manager's most appropriate first action?
A) Immediately terminate the contract with the supplier.
B) Document the nonconformance and review the procurement management plan.
C) Request the team to use the materials as-is to avoid schedule delays.
D) Update the risk register and inform the project sponsor.
Correct Answer: B) Document the nonconformance and review the procurement
management plan
The first step in handling a supplier nonconformance is to formally document the issue and
consult the procurement management plan, which outlines the procedures for handling
disputes and quality issues with vendors. This ensures a structured and contractual approach
to resolution before taking drastic actions like termination or accepting substandard
materials.
Question 3: A project manager is calculating the earned value of a project. The Planned Value
(PV) is $500,000, the Earned Value (EV) is $450,000, and the Actual Cost (AC) is $550,000.
What is the project's Cost Performance Index (CPI) and what does it indicate?
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A) CPI = 0.82; the project is over budget.
B) CPI = 0.91; the project is over budget.
C) CPI = 1.10; the project is under budget.
D) CPI = 0.82; the project is behind schedule.
Correct Answer: A) CPI = 0.82; the project is over budget.
The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is calculated as EV / AC, which is $450,000 / $550,000 =
0.82. A CPI value less than 1.0 indicates that the project is getting less value for every dollar
spent, meaning it is over budget. This is a critical metric for assessing cost efficiency.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a stakeholder
engagement assessment matrix?
A) To identify the communication requirements of each stakeholder.
B) To determine the current and desired engagement levels of stakeholders.
C) To calculate the influence and impact of each stakeholder.
D) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team.
Correct Answer: B) To determine the current and desired engagement levels of
stakeholders.
A stakeholder engagement assessment matrix is a tool used to compare the current
engagement level of each stakeholder (e.g., unaware, resistant, neutral, supportive, leading)
with the desired level. This helps the project manager plan targeted strategies to effectively
engage stakeholders and gain their support.
Question 5: A project is in the planning phase, and the project manager is developing the
project schedule. The team has identified all activities and their dependencies. What is the
next logical step in the sequence?
A) Estimate activity resources.
B) Estimate activity durations.
C) Develop the schedule baseline.
D) Sequence activities.
Correct Answer: B) Estimate activity durations.
After activities have been defined and sequenced, the next step in the Project Schedule
Management process is to estimate the duration of each activity. This involves using
, Page |4
techniques like analogous, parametric, or three-point estimating. Only after durations are
estimated can the schedule be developed and finalized.
Question 6: In an agile project, what is the role of the Product Owner?
A) To manage the project team and remove impediments.
B) To facilitate the Scrum ceremonies and coach the team.
C) To prioritize the product backlog and represent the customer.
D) To ensure the technical quality of the product increment.
Correct Answer: C) To prioritize the product backlog and represent the customer.
In agile methodologies like Scrum, the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the
value of the product by managing and prioritizing the product backlog. This role acts as the
voice of the customer and ensures the team works on the most valuable features first.
Question 7: A project manager has identified a risk that, if it occurs, will significantly impact
the project's critical path. The team decides to purchase insurance to cover the potential
financial loss. This is an example of which risk response strategy?
A) Avoid
B) Transfer
C) Mitigate
D) Accept
Correct Answer: B) Transfer
Transfer is a risk response strategy that involves shifting the impact of a threat to a third
party, along with ownership of the response. Purchasing insurance is a classic example of
transferring financial risk. This strategy does not eliminate the risk but shifts the
responsibility for managing it.
Question 8: What is the key difference between a project's quality control and quality
assurance processes?
A) Quality control is proactive, while quality assurance is reactive.
B) Quality assurance focuses on the product, while quality control focuses on the process.
C) Quality control involves monitoring specific results, while quality assurance involves
auditing overall processes.
CAPM® — CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE IN
PROJECT MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM PREP.
Table of Contents
1. Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
2. Project Integration Management
3. Project Scope Management
4. Project Schedule Management
5. Project Cost Management
6. Project Quality Management
7. Project Resource Management
8. Project Communications Management
9. Project Risk Management
10. Project Procurement Management
11. Project Stakeholder Management
12. Professional Responsibility and Ethics
, Page |2
Question 1: A project manager is leading a complex software development project using a
hybrid approach. The sponsor requests a high-level timeline for the initial phase, but the
development team needs flexibility for iterative cycles. Which artifact should the project
manager create to satisfy both requirements?
A) A detailed Gantt chart with all sprint tasks
B) A milestone chart combined with a product roadmap
C) A work breakdown structure (WBS) dictionary
D) A resource histogram for the entire project
Correct Answer: B) A milestone chart combined with a product roadmap
A milestone chart provides the sponsor with a high-level timeline of key events and
deliverables, which is suitable for a hybrid project's initial phase. The product roadmap
offers the development team the flexibility to plan iterative cycles and adapt to changes,
aligning with agile principles. This combination effectively bridges predictive and adaptive
approaches.
Question 2: During a project's executing phase, a team member reports that a key supplier has
delivered materials that do not meet the specified quality standards. What is the project
manager's most appropriate first action?
A) Immediately terminate the contract with the supplier.
B) Document the nonconformance and review the procurement management plan.
C) Request the team to use the materials as-is to avoid schedule delays.
D) Update the risk register and inform the project sponsor.
Correct Answer: B) Document the nonconformance and review the procurement
management plan
The first step in handling a supplier nonconformance is to formally document the issue and
consult the procurement management plan, which outlines the procedures for handling
disputes and quality issues with vendors. This ensures a structured and contractual approach
to resolution before taking drastic actions like termination or accepting substandard
materials.
Question 3: A project manager is calculating the earned value of a project. The Planned Value
(PV) is $500,000, the Earned Value (EV) is $450,000, and the Actual Cost (AC) is $550,000.
What is the project's Cost Performance Index (CPI) and what does it indicate?
, Page |3
A) CPI = 0.82; the project is over budget.
B) CPI = 0.91; the project is over budget.
C) CPI = 1.10; the project is under budget.
D) CPI = 0.82; the project is behind schedule.
Correct Answer: A) CPI = 0.82; the project is over budget.
The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is calculated as EV / AC, which is $450,000 / $550,000 =
0.82. A CPI value less than 1.0 indicates that the project is getting less value for every dollar
spent, meaning it is over budget. This is a critical metric for assessing cost efficiency.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a stakeholder
engagement assessment matrix?
A) To identify the communication requirements of each stakeholder.
B) To determine the current and desired engagement levels of stakeholders.
C) To calculate the influence and impact of each stakeholder.
D) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team.
Correct Answer: B) To determine the current and desired engagement levels of
stakeholders.
A stakeholder engagement assessment matrix is a tool used to compare the current
engagement level of each stakeholder (e.g., unaware, resistant, neutral, supportive, leading)
with the desired level. This helps the project manager plan targeted strategies to effectively
engage stakeholders and gain their support.
Question 5: A project is in the planning phase, and the project manager is developing the
project schedule. The team has identified all activities and their dependencies. What is the
next logical step in the sequence?
A) Estimate activity resources.
B) Estimate activity durations.
C) Develop the schedule baseline.
D) Sequence activities.
Correct Answer: B) Estimate activity durations.
After activities have been defined and sequenced, the next step in the Project Schedule
Management process is to estimate the duration of each activity. This involves using
, Page |4
techniques like analogous, parametric, or three-point estimating. Only after durations are
estimated can the schedule be developed and finalized.
Question 6: In an agile project, what is the role of the Product Owner?
A) To manage the project team and remove impediments.
B) To facilitate the Scrum ceremonies and coach the team.
C) To prioritize the product backlog and represent the customer.
D) To ensure the technical quality of the product increment.
Correct Answer: C) To prioritize the product backlog and represent the customer.
In agile methodologies like Scrum, the Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the
value of the product by managing and prioritizing the product backlog. This role acts as the
voice of the customer and ensures the team works on the most valuable features first.
Question 7: A project manager has identified a risk that, if it occurs, will significantly impact
the project's critical path. The team decides to purchase insurance to cover the potential
financial loss. This is an example of which risk response strategy?
A) Avoid
B) Transfer
C) Mitigate
D) Accept
Correct Answer: B) Transfer
Transfer is a risk response strategy that involves shifting the impact of a threat to a third
party, along with ownership of the response. Purchasing insurance is a classic example of
transferring financial risk. This strategy does not eliminate the risk but shifts the
responsibility for managing it.
Question 8: What is the key difference between a project's quality control and quality
assurance processes?
A) Quality control is proactive, while quality assurance is reactive.
B) Quality assurance focuses on the product, while quality control focuses on the process.
C) Quality control involves monitoring specific results, while quality assurance involves
auditing overall processes.
