Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →- A
Day 11
Why wrong: Assumes start on day 1 finish? Wrong.
- B
Day 10
Why wrong: Ignores lag.
- C
Day 12
Correct calculation.
- D
Day 13
Why wrong: Incorrect.
Question 61 of 503
Quick Answer
The answer is day 13. This is correct because in a finish-to-start relationship with lag, the successor task cannot begin until the predecessor has fully completed and the specified lag period has elapsed. Since the predecessor starts on day 1 and has a 10-day duration, it finishes at the end of day 10; adding the 2-day lag means the successor’s earliest start is the beginning of day 13. On the CAPM exam, schedule network analysis with lag tests your ability to apply logical dependencies and time buffers correctly, often using a finish-to-start relationship as the most common type. A frequent trap is forgetting to count the lag after the predecessor’s finish, or mistakenly adding the lag to the start date instead of the finish date. Remember the mnemonic: “Finish first, then lag, then start” — always calculate the predecessor’s end date before adding any lag to find the successor’s earliest start.
CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of predictive plan-based methodologies. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During project planning, the team identifies that a task has a duration of 10 days, a predecessor finish-to-start relationship, and a lag of 2 days. What is the earliest the successor task can start if the predecessor starts on day 1?
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
✓
Day 12
The predecessor starts on day 1 and has a duration of 10 days, so it finishes at the end of day 10 (assuming work starts at the beginning of day 1). With a finish-to-start relationship and a lag of 2 days, the successor cannot start until 2 days after the predecessor finishes. Therefore, the earliest start for the successor is day 13 (end of day 10 + 2 days lag = start of day 13). Option C is correct because it accounts for both the full duration and the lag.
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.
- ✗
Day 11
Why it's wrong here
Assumes start on day 1 finish? Wrong.
- ✗
Day 10
Why it's wrong here
Ignores lag.
- ✓
Day 12
Why this is correct
Correct calculation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Day 13
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget to include the predecessor's full duration when calculating the successor's start, mistakenly adding the lag to the start date instead of the finish date, leading to an answer like day 3 or day 12.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In project scheduling, a finish-to-start (FS) relationship with lag means the successor's start is delayed by the lag duration after the predecessor's finish. The calculation is: predecessor start + predecessor duration + lag = earliest successor start. Here, day 1 start + 10 days duration = finish at end of day 10; adding 2 days lag means the successor starts at the beginning of day 13. This is critical in critical path method (CPM) analysis, where miscomputing lag can shift the entire project timeline.
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 practitioner preparing for the CAPM 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
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.
- →
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CAPM question test?
Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — This question tests Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Day 12 — The predecessor starts on day 1 and has a duration of 10 days, so it finishes at the end of day 10 (assuming work starts at the beginning of day 1). With a finish-to-start relationship and a lag of 2 days, the successor cannot start until 2 days after the predecessor finishes. Therefore, the earliest start for the successor is day 13 (end of day 10 + 2 days lag = start of day 13). Option C is correct because it accounts for both the full duration and the lag.
What should I do if I get this CAPM 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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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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