Quick Answer
The answer is 3 days. This is correct because the expected monetary value calculation multiplies the probability of a risk event by its impact, so 0.30 times 10 days equals 3 days. On the Certified Associate in Project Management CAPM exam, this tests your ability to apply quantitative risk analysis, a key domain in the Project Risk Management knowledge area. A common trap is forgetting to convert the percentage into a decimal—30% must be used as 0.30, not 30. Also, note that while EMV typically expresses risk in monetary terms, the CAPM exam may use other units like days or cost overruns, so always check the impact unit. To remember the formula, think of the phrase “Prob times Impact” or the mnemonic “P x I = EMV,” where the result is always the product of these two factors.
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 identifies a risk that could cause a 10-day delay. The probability of occurrence is 30%. What is the expected monetary value (EMV) of this risk?
3 days
EMV = 0.3 × 10 = 3 days.
10 days
Why wrong: This is the impact, not the EMV.
0.3 days
Why wrong: This is just the probability, not multiplied by impact.
30 days
Why wrong: This is the probability multiplied incorrectly.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
3 days
EMV is calculated as Probability × Impact. Here, 0.3 × 10 days = 3 days. EMV is used to quantify risk in monetary terms, but in this case impact is in days.
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.
3 days
Why this is correct
EMV = 0.3 × 10 = 3 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
10 days
Why it's wrong here
This is the impact, not the EMV.
0.3 days
Why it's wrong here
This is just the probability, not multiplied by impact.
30 days
Why it's wrong here
This is the probability multiplied incorrectly.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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 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
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: 3 days — EMV is calculated as Probability × Impact. Here, 0.3 × 10 days = 3 days. EMV is used to quantify risk in monetary terms, but in this case impact is in days.
Identify which CAPM exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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