CAPM Agile Frameworks and Methodologies Practice Question
An XP team is practicing pair programming. A new developer feels uncomfortable because the partner frequently corrects their code. What is the best way to foster a positive pairing experience?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume the problem is the senior developer's behavior or the new developer's lack of confidence, leading them to choose isolation (Option B) or avoidance (Option A or C), rather than recognizing that the XP framework provides a structured role-rotation mechanism to resolve such interpersonal friction.
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
✓
Encourage the pair to set expectations and rotate roles (driver/navigator) regularly.
Setting expectations and rotating roles (driver/navigator) is a core XP practice that fosters collaboration, psychological safety, and skill transfer. In pair programming, the driver writes code while the navigator reviews and suggests improvements; rotating roles ensures both developers contribute equally and learn from each other, reducing the new developer's discomfort by making corrections a shared, constructive process rather than a one-sided critique.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ask the senior developer to only observe and not comment.
Why it's wrong here
Silent observation reduces the collaborative benefit.
- ✗
Have the new developer work alone until they gain more confidence.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation defeats the purpose of pair programming for knowledge transfer.
- ✗
Discontinue pair programming for that pair.
Why it's wrong here
Avoiding the issue does not foster team growth.
- ✓
Encourage the pair to set expectations and rotate roles (driver/navigator) regularly.
Why this is correct
Clear roles and rotation promote balanced participation and learning.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.