Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →- A
$11,000
Why wrong: This is BAC + AC - EV, not correct formula.
- B
$4,000
Why wrong: This is the EV.
- C
$5,000
Why wrong: This is the AC, not ETC.
- D
$6,000
ETC = BAC - EV = 10000 - 4000 = 6000.
Question 178 of 500
Quick Answer
The answer is $6,000, calculated using the formula ETC = BAC minus EV when work continues at the planned rate. This is correct because the estimate to complete (ETC) represents the expected cost to finish the remaining work, and when no cost or schedule variances are expected to continue, the simplest approach is to subtract the earned value (EV) from the budget at completion (BAC). On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this tests your ability to apply earned value management formulas under the assumption of a cost performance index of 1.0, meaning future performance matches the original plan. A common trap is confusing this with the formula that incorporates the CPI (ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI), which is used when current cost trends are expected to persist. For a quick memory tip, remember that "planned rate" means "plain subtraction" — just take the BAC minus the EV to get the ETC.
PK0-005 Project Management Concepts Practice Question
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 manager is calculating the estimate to complete (ETC) for a task using earned value management. The task has a budget at completion (BAC) of $10,000, earned value (EV) of $4,000, and actual cost (AC) of $5,000. Assuming the work will continue at the planned rate, what is the ETC?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
$6,000
The estimate to complete (ETC) is the expected cost to finish the remaining work. When work continues at the planned rate, the formula is ETC = BAC - EV. Here, BAC is $10,000 and EV is $4,000, so ETC = $10,000 - $4,000 = $6,000. This assumes the cost performance index (CPI) is 1.0, meaning future work will be performed exactly as budgeted.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
$11,000
Why it's wrong here
This is BAC + AC - EV, not correct formula.
- ✗
$4,000
Why it's wrong here
This is the EV.
- ✗
$5,000
Why it's wrong here
This is the AC, not ETC.
- ✓
$6,000
Why this is correct
ETC = BAC - EV = 10000 - 4000 = 6000.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between ETC formulas based on whether future work will follow the planned rate or the current cost performance, and the trap here is that candidates may default to using the CPI-adjusted formula (ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI) without reading the condition 'at the planned rate,' leading to an incorrect answer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In earned value management (EVM), ETC is calculated differently based on performance trends. The formula ETC = BAC - EV assumes the remaining work will be completed at the budgeted rate, which is appropriate when the project is on schedule and cost variances are not expected to continue. If the work were to continue at the current cost performance, the formula would be ETC = (BAC - EV) / CPI, where CPI = EV/AC = 0.8, yielding ETC = (10,000 - 4,000) / 0.8 = $7,500. The question explicitly states 'at the planned rate,' so the simpler formula applies.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PK0-005 question test?
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: $6,000 — The estimate to complete (ETC) is the expected cost to finish the remaining work. When work continues at the planned rate, the formula is ETC = BAC - EV. Here, BAC is $10,000 and EV is $4,000, so ETC = $10,000 - $4,000 = $6,000. This assumes the cost performance index (CPI) is 1.0, meaning future work will be performed exactly as budgeted.
What should I do if I get this PK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
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