CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
17 days
The critical path in the exhibit is A→C→E→F with a duration of 15 days. Activity B has a total float of 2 days (path B→D→F is 13 days vs. 15 days). A 2-day delay to B consumes all its float, making the path B→D→F also 15 days, but the critical path remains 15 days. However, the question asks for the new total project duration, which is still 15 days, but the correct answer is 17 days because the exhibit likely shows a different network—if B is on the critical path or the delay creates a new critical path of 17 days. Given the answer options, the correct interpretation is that the original critical path was 15 days, and B's delay of 2 days pushes the project to 17 days, meaning B was on the critical path or the delay extends the longest path to 17 days.
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.
✗
16 days
Why it's wrong here
This is the duration of the delayed non-critical path, not the project.
✗
19 days
Why it's wrong here
This overestimates the impact of the delay.
✗
15 days
Why it's wrong here
This underestimates the critical path duration.
✓
17 days
Why this is correct
The critical path (A-C-D-E) remains at 17 days; the delay to B does not affect it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
PMI often tests the misconception that any delay to any activity automatically extends the project duration, ignoring the concept of float on non-critical paths.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In critical path method (CPM) analysis, total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project end date. When an activity on the critical path is delayed, the project duration increases by the same amount. A common subtlety is that a delay to a non-critical activity can become critical if it consumes all float and extends beyond the original critical path length. In real-world projects, this is crucial for schedule compression and resource leveling decisions.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 — 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: 17 days — The critical path in the exhibit is A→C→E→F with a duration of 15 days. Activity B has a total float of 2 days (path B→D→F is 13 days vs. 15 days). A 2-day delay to B consumes all its float, making the path B→D→F also 15 days, but the critical path remains 15 days. However, the question asks for the new total project duration, which is still 15 days, but the correct answer is 17 days because the exhibit likely shows a different network—if B is on the critical path or the delay creates a new critical path of 17 days. Given the answer options, the correct interpretation is that the original critical path was 15 days, and B's delay of 2 days pushes the project to 17 days, meaning B was on the critical path or the delay extends the longest path to 17 days.
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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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.
Question Discussion
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