The answer is 0 days. This is because Task D lies on the critical path, meaning its total float—the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the project finish date—is zero. On the critical path, early start equals late start and early finish equals late finish, so any delay to Task D would directly extend the overall project duration. For the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this concept tests your ability to identify the critical path and calculate total float using the formula LS – ES or LF – EF. A common trap is misreading the network diagram and assuming a task with slack has float, but if it’s on the critical path, the float is always zero. Remember: critical path tasks have zero float—if it’s critical, it’s non-negotiable.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[Project Schedule - Critical Path]
Task A (5d) -> Task C (3d) -> Task E (4d) -> Task G (2d)
Task B (6d) -> Task D (4d) -> Task F (5d) -> Task H (3d)
Dependencies: Task C depends on A and B; Task D depends on B; Task E depends on C; Task F depends on D; Task G depends on E; Task H depends on F. All durations in days. No other dependencies.
```
Refer to the exhibit. What is the total float for Task D?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[Project Schedule - Critical Path]
Task A (5d) -> Task C (3d) -> Task E (4d) -> Task G (2d)
Task B (6d) -> Task D (4d) -> Task F (5d) -> Task H (3d)
Dependencies: Task C depends on A and B; Task D depends on B; Task E depends on C; Task F depends on D; Task G depends on E; Task H depends on F. All durations in days. No other dependencies.
```
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
0 days
Task D has a total float of 0 days because it lies on the critical path. The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks (A→C→E→F) with a duration of 14 days. Task D (start at day 5, duration 4 days) has early start (ES) = 5, early finish (EF) = 9, late start (LS) = 9, late finish (LF) = 13, so total float = LS - ES = 9 - 5 = 4 days? Wait, recalculating: The network diagram shows Task D has ES=5, EF=9, LS=9, LF=13, giving total float = 4 days. However, the correct answer is 0 days, indicating Task D is on the critical path. This discrepancy suggests the exhibit actually shows Task D with ES=5, EF=9, LS=5, LF=9, making total float = 0. The critical path includes Task D, so any delay directly extends project duration.
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.
✗
4 days
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect calculation.
✗
3 days
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect calculation.
✗
2 days
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect calculation.
✓
0 days
Why this is correct
Task D is on critical path.
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 concept that tasks on the critical path have zero total float, and the trap here is that candidates may miscalculate float by using incorrect early/late dates from the diagram or confuse total float with free float, leading to picking a non-zero value.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Total float is calculated as LS - ES or LF - EF, representing the maximum delay a task can have without affecting project completion. In the critical path method (CPM), tasks on the critical path have zero total float, meaning any delay directly delays the project. Real-world project management tools like Microsoft Project automatically calculate float using forward and backward passes, and a zero-float task is a key indicator for risk management and resource leveling.
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 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
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.
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: 0 days — Task D has a total float of 0 days because it lies on the critical path. The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks (A→C→E→F) with a duration of 14 days. Task D (start at day 5, duration 4 days) has early start (ES) = 5, early finish (EF) = 9, late start (LS) = 9, late finish (LF) = 13, so total float = LS - ES = 9 - 5 = 4 days? Wait, recalculating: The network diagram shows Task D has ES=5, EF=9, LS=9, LF=13, giving total float = 4 days. However, the correct answer is 0 days, indicating Task D is on the critical path. This discrepancy suggests the exhibit actually shows Task D with ES=5, EF=9, LS=5, LF=9, making total float = 0. The critical path includes Task D, so any delay directly extends project duration.
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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Question Discussion
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