Quick Answer
The correct answer is CPI = 0.89 and SPI = 0.80. This is determined by the standard CPI and SPI calculation formulas: CPI equals earned value divided by actual cost (EV/AC), and SPI equals earned value divided by planned value (EV/PV). With an EV of $80,000, AC of $90,000, and PV of $100,000, the CPI is 0.89, indicating cost overrun, and the SPI is 0.80, indicating schedule delay. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to apply earned value management (EVM) formulas under time pressure—a common trap is mixing up the denominators (AC for CPI, PV for SPI). Remember the memory tip: “CPI is Cost, so divide by Actual Cost; SPI is Schedule, so divide by Planned Value.” Both indexes below 1.0 signal trouble, so a quick mental check of the given values confirms the project is over budget and behind schedule.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A project is 40% complete. The earned value (EV) is $80,000, planned value (PV) is $100,000, and actual cost (AC) is $90,000. What is the cost performance index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI)?
CPI = 0.80, SPI = 0.89
Why wrong: Swapped values.
CPI = 0.89, SPI = 0.80
Correct formulas applied.
CPI = 1.13, SPI = 1.25
Why wrong: Inverted calculations.
CPI = 0.89, SPI = 1.25
Why wrong: SPI incorrect.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
CPI = 0.89, SPI = 0.80
The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is calculated as EV/AC = $80,000/$90,000 = 0.89, indicating cost overrun. The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is EV/PV = $80,000/$100,000 = 0.80, indicating schedule delay. Option B correctly matches these values.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
CPI = 0.80, SPI = 0.89
Why it's wrong here
Swapped values.
CPI = 0.89, SPI = 0.80
Why this is correct
Correct formulas applied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CPI = 1.13, SPI = 1.25
Why it's wrong here
Inverted calculations.
CPI = 0.89, SPI = 1.25
Why it's wrong here
SPI incorrect.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the formula reversal trap, where candidates mistakenly calculate CPI as AC/EV or SPI as PV/EV, leading to inverted values like those in Option A.
Detailed technical explanation
CPI and SPI are fundamental earned value management (EVM) metrics used to quantify project health. CPI below 1.0 indicates cost inefficiency (spending more than planned for work accomplished), while SPI below 1.0 indicates schedule inefficiency (less work completed than planned). In practice, a project that is 40% complete with EV=$80,000 implies the total budget at completion (BAC) is $200,000, and the cost variance (CV=EV-AC) is -$10,000, confirming the cost overrun.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Project Management Concepts practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All PK0-005 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
PK0-005 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to Project Life Cycle Phases.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to Basics of IT Infrastructure and IT Project Management.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to Project Management Concepts.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to Tools and Documentation.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to PK0-005 fundamentals.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to PK0-005 scenario.
Practise PK0-005 questions linked to PK0-005 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: CPI = 0.89, SPI = 0.80 — The Cost Performance Index (CPI) is calculated as EV/AC = $80,000/$90,000 = 0.89, indicating cost overrun. The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is EV/PV = $80,000/$100,000 = 0.80, indicating schedule delay. Option B correctly matches these values.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PK0-005 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.