Quick Answer
The correct interpretation is that the project is over budget and ahead of schedule. A Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85 means that for every dollar spent, only $0.85 of value is earned, indicating cost inefficiency and an over-budget condition. Conversely, a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 1.05 shows the project is progressing at 105% of the planned rate, meaning it is ahead of schedule. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this earned value CPI SPI interpretation tests your ability to read performance indices without confusing their direction—a common trap is assuming both values below 1.0 mean trouble, but here SPI above 1.0 signals schedule health. Remember the memory tip: CPI below 1 = Cost Problems Incurred, while SPI above 1 = Schedule Progress Is ahead.
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of tools and documentation. 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 reviewing the project's earned value data. The cost performance index (CPI) is 0.85, and the schedule performance index (SPI) is 1.05. What does this indicate about the project?
The project is under budget but behind schedule
Why wrong: CPI < 1 indicates over budget, not under.
The project is over budget but behind schedule
Why wrong: SPI > 1 indicates ahead of schedule, not behind.
The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Why wrong: CPI < 1 means over budget, not under.
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
CPI 0.85 (over budget) and SPI 1.05 (ahead of schedule).
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
The Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85 indicates that for every dollar spent, only $0.85 of earned value is received, meaning the project is over budget. The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 1.05 indicates that the project is progressing at 105% of the planned rate, meaning it is ahead of schedule. Therefore, the project is over budget and ahead of schedule, making option D correct.
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.
The project is under budget but behind schedule
Why it's wrong here
CPI < 1 indicates over budget, not under.
The project is over budget but behind schedule
Why it's wrong here
SPI > 1 indicates ahead of schedule, not behind.
The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Why it's wrong here
CPI < 1 means over budget, not under.
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
Why this is correct
CPI 0.85 (over budget) and SPI 1.05 (ahead of schedule).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often misinterpret CPI and SPI values, thinking that a value less than 1.0 always means 'bad' (behind schedule or over budget) without recognizing that SPI > 1.0 means ahead of schedule, leading them to incorrectly select 'behind schedule' options.
Detailed technical explanation
Earned Value Management (EVM) uses CPI = EV/AC and SPI = EV/PV. A CPI below 1.0 means actual costs exceed the value of work performed (cost overrun), while an SPI above 1.0 means more work has been completed than planned (schedule ahead). In practice, a project can be ahead of schedule but over budget if work was accelerated using overtime or more expensive resources, a common scenario in fast-tracked projects.
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
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FAQ
Tools and Documentation — This question tests Tools and Documentation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The project is over budget and ahead of schedule — The Cost Performance Index (CPI) of 0.85 indicates that for every dollar spent, only $0.85 of earned value is received, meaning the project is over budget. The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 1.05 indicates that the project is progressing at 105% of the planned rate, meaning it is ahead of schedule. Therefore, the project is over budget and ahead of schedule, making option D correct.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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