Quick Answer
The correct answer is the Critical Path Method (CPM). This tool is used to determine the critical path by calculating the longest sequence of dependent activities through a project network diagram, based on their durations and dependencies, which reveals the activities with zero float that set the project’s minimum completion time. On the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam, this question tests your understanding that CPM is specifically designed for schedule analysis and critical path identification, not for estimation or visualization tools like PERT or Gantt charts. A common trap is confusing CPM with the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), but remember: CPM uses deterministic durations to find the longest path, while PERT uses weighted averages for uncertainty. For a quick memory tip, think “CPM = Critical Path Method = Calculates the Path with Minimum slack.”
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. 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 developing the project schedule for a construction project. The team has identified all activities and their dependencies. Which tool should the project manager use to determine the critical path?
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why wrong: WBS is for scope decomposition.
Critical path method (CPM)
CPM calculates the critical path.
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Why wrong: PERT is for probabilistic duration estimation.
Gantt chart
Why wrong: Gantt chart shows schedule but does not compute critical path.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Critical path method (CPM)
The Critical Path Method (CPM) is the correct tool because it calculates the longest path through the project network diagram by analyzing activity durations and dependencies, identifying which activities have zero float and thus determine the project's minimum completion time. The question specifically asks for determining the critical path, which is the core output of CPM, not just visualizing or estimating durations.
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.
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why it's wrong here
WBS is for scope decomposition.
Critical path method (CPM)
Why this is correct
CPM calculates the critical path.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Why it's wrong here
PERT is for probabilistic duration estimation.
Gantt chart
Why it's wrong here
Gantt chart shows schedule but does not compute critical path.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse PERT with CPM because both use network diagrams, but PERT is for probabilistic duration estimation while CPM is specifically for identifying the critical path via float calculations.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Gantt chart shows schedule but does not compute critical path.
Detailed technical explanation
CPM works by performing a forward pass to calculate Early Start (ES) and Early Finish (EF) dates, then a backward pass to calculate Late Start (LS) and Late Finish (LF) dates, with the critical path consisting of activities where Total Float (LS - ES) equals zero. In real-world construction, a single day of delay on a critical path activity directly extends the project end date, making CPM essential for schedule compression techniques like crashing or fast-tracking. CPM assumes deterministic durations, unlike PERT which uses three-point estimates to handle uncertainty.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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What to study next
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FAQ
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Critical path method (CPM) — The Critical Path Method (CPM) is the correct tool because it calculates the longest path through the project network diagram by analyzing activity durations and dependencies, identifying which activities have zero float and thus determine the project's minimum completion time. The question specifically asks for determining the critical path, which is the core output of CPM, not just visualizing or estimating durations.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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