CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is creating the project schedule. The team estimates that the optimistic time for an activity is 10 days, the pessimistic time is 30 days, and the most likely time is 15 days. Using PERT three-point estimation, what is the expected duration?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often use a simple arithmetic mean (average) instead of the weighted PERT formula, leading them to select 18.33 days (Option B).
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
✓
16.67 days
The PERT three-point estimate formula is (Optimistic + 4×Most Likely + Pessimistic) / 6. Plugging in the values: (10 + 4×15 + 30) / 6 = (10 + 60 + 30) / 6 = 100 / 6 = 16.67 days. This weighted average gives more influence to the most likely estimate, reflecting a beta distribution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
16.67 days
Why this is correct
Correct calculation using PERT formula.
- ✗
18.33 days
Why it's wrong here
This might result from using a different formula.
- ✗
20.00 days
Why it's wrong here
This is the average of optimistic and pessimistic.
- ✗
15.00 days
Why it's wrong here
This is just the most likely time.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI 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 CAPM exam.