hardMultiple Choice
PK0-005 Practice Question: A project manager is reviewing the project's…
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
✓
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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
A CPI of 0.85 means every unit of planned value costs more than budgeted, so the project is over budget, not under. The option tempts because CPI and SPI are often read as independent gauges, yet here CPI below 1.0 fixes the cost verdict regardless of SPI.
- ✗
The project is over budget but behind schedule
Why it's wrong here
CPI of 0.85 correctly signals over-budget spending, but SPI of 1.05 is above 1.0, meaning earned value exceeds planned value, so the project runs ahead of schedule. The option tempts by pairing the right cost reading with an inverted schedule reading.
- ✗
The project is under budget and ahead of schedule
Why it's wrong here
SPI of 1.05 correctly indicates the project is ahead of schedule, but CPI of 0.85 is below 1.0, meaning costs exceed the budgeted rate for work performed. The option tempts because both indices are compared against 1.0, yet only the schedule side passes.
- ✓
The project is over budget and ahead of schedule
Why this is correct
A CPI below 1.0 means earned value trails actual cost, so the project is over budget; an SPI above 1.0 means earned value exceeds planned value, so it is ahead of schedule. Both indices together confirm this option.
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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.