Quick Answer
The answer is cost performance index (CPI) and schedule variance (SV). These are two of the core key performance indicators for project success within earned value management (EVM), where CPI measures cost efficiency by comparing earned value to actual cost, and SV tracks schedule adherence by comparing earned value to planned value. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish standard EVM metrics from other project data like actual cost or planned value alone; a common trap is confusing SV with simple schedule variance percentages or mistaking CPI for a schedule metric. To remember, think of CPI as “Cost Pays the Bills” and SV as “Schedule Views the Timeline”—both directly answer whether your project is on budget and on time, which are the ultimate indicators of project success.
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.
Which TWO of the following are examples of key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure project success?
Project charter approval date
Why wrong: A date is not a performance indicator.
Number of team meetings per week
Why wrong: Not a standard KPI.
Schedule variance (SV)
SV is a KPI for schedule performance.
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why wrong: WBS is a tool, not a KPI.
Cost performance index (CPI)
CPI is a KPI for cost performance.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Schedule variance (SV)
Schedule variance (SV) and cost performance index (CPI) are both standard key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in earned value management (EVM). SV measures the difference between earned value and planned value, indicating whether the project is ahead or behind schedule. CPI measures cost efficiency by comparing earned value to actual cost, directly reflecting project budget performance.
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.
Project charter approval date
Why it's wrong here
A date is not a performance indicator.
Number of team meetings per week
Why it's wrong here
Not a standard KPI.
Schedule variance (SV)
Why this is correct
SV is a KPI for schedule performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why it's wrong here
WBS is a tool, not a KPI.
Cost performance index (CPI)
Why this is correct
CPI is a KPI for cost performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse project artifacts (like the WBS or charter) or process metrics (like meeting frequency) with true performance indicators that quantitatively compare actual progress against baselines.
Detailed technical explanation
In earned value management, SV = EV - PV, where a positive value indicates ahead of schedule, and CPI = EV / AC, where a value greater than 1.0 indicates under budget. These KPIs are derived from the project's performance measurement baseline and are tracked over time to forecast project completion. Real-world project managers use CPI to predict estimate at completion (EAC = BAC / CPI) and SV to assess schedule adherence, enabling proactive corrective actions.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Project Management Concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Project Management Concepts 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
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Schedule variance (SV) — Schedule variance (SV) and cost performance index (CPI) are both standard key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in earned value management (EVM). SV measures the difference between earned value and planned value, indicating whether the project is ahead or behind schedule. CPI measures cost efficiency by comparing earned value to actual cost, directly reflecting project budget performance.
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 11, 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.