Quick Answer
The answer is 115 days. This is correct because the critical path represents the longest sequence of dependent activities in a project schedule, and any change to a critical path activity directly alters the total project duration. Since the activity in question has a total float of zero, it has no schedule flexibility, so reducing its duration by 5 days reduces the critical path duration from 120 days to 115 days. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how reducing critical path activity duration affects the overall timeline, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must calculate the new duration after a compression technique like crashing or fast-tracking. A common trap is assuming that reducing a non-critical activity will shorten the project, but only changes to critical path activities impact the finish date. Memory tip: "Zero float means zero wiggle room—cut the task, cut the path."
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 schedule and notices that the critical path has a duration of 120 days. One activity on the critical path has a duration of 15 days and a total float of 0. If the duration of that activity is reduced by 5 days, what is the new critical path duration?
115 days
Reducing a critical path activity reduces project duration by the same amount.
100 days
Why wrong: The reduction is only 5 days, not 20.
120 days
Why wrong: The duration would only remain the same if the activity was not on the critical path.
125 days
Why wrong: Reducing duration cannot increase the project duration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
115 days
The critical path is the longest path in the project schedule, and any delay on a critical path activity directly extends the project duration. Since the activity on the critical path has a total float of 0, reducing its duration by 5 days reduces the total critical path duration from 120 days to 115 days.
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.
115 days
Why this is correct
Reducing a critical path activity reduces project duration by the same amount.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
100 days
Why it's wrong here
The reduction is only 5 days, not 20.
120 days
Why it's wrong here
The duration would only remain the same if the activity was not on the critical path.
125 days
Why it's wrong here
Reducing duration cannot increase the project duration.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may mistakenly think reducing a critical path activity's duration does not affect the overall critical path, or they may confuse total float with free float, leading them to choose the original duration or an incorrect reduced value.
Detailed technical explanation
In project management, the critical path is defined by activities with zero total float, meaning any change in their duration directly impacts the project's finish date. Reducing a critical path activity's duration by 5 days shortens the overall critical path by exactly 5 days, assuming no other path becomes longer. This concept is fundamental to schedule compression techniques like crashing, where cost and resource trade-offs are evaluated.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Tools and Documentation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Tools and Documentation 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
Tools and Documentation — This question tests Tools and Documentation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 115 days — The critical path is the longest path in the project schedule, and any delay on a critical path activity directly extends the project duration. Since the activity on the critical path has a total float of 0, reducing its duration by 5 days reduces the total critical path duration from 120 days to 115 days.
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 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.
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.