The answer is 1 day. This is correct because total float calculation measures how long a task can be delayed without affecting the overall project finish date, and it is found by subtracting the duration of the path containing the task from the critical path duration. Here, Task B lies on the non-critical path A-B-D-E, which totals 6 days, while the critical path A-C-E is 7 days, so 7 minus 6 equals 1 day of float. On the CAPM exam, this concept tests your ability to identify the critical path and compute schedule flexibility, often appearing in network diagram questions where a common trap is confusing total float with free float or assuming all tasks on non-critical paths have the same float. A reliable memory tip is to think of total float as the “slack” a task has before it becomes critical—just remember: critical path minus your path equals your float.
CAPM Practice Question: Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts
This CAPM practice question tests your understanding of project management fundamentals and core concepts. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Task A: duration 5 days, predecessor: none
Task B: duration 3 days, predecessor: A
Task C: duration 4 days, predecessor: A
Task D: duration 2 days, predecessor: B, C
Refer to the exhibit. What is the total float of Task B?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
1 day
Task B has a total float of 1 day because it lies on a non-critical path. The critical path (A-C-E) has a duration of 7 days, while the path containing Task B (A-B-D-E) has a duration of 6 days. Total float is calculated as the difference between the duration of the critical path and the duration of the path containing the task, which is 7 - 6 = 1 day.
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.
✓
1 day
Why this is correct
The critical path is A-C-D (11 days). Path A-B-D is 10 days, so float = 1 day.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
3 days
Why it's wrong here
This is the duration of Task B, not its float.
✗
2 days
Why it's wrong here
The difference in path durations is 1 day.
✗
0 days
Why it's wrong here
Task B is not on the critical path.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often mistakenly assume all tasks with dependencies have zero float, or they incorrectly calculate the path duration by omitting a task or misreading the diagram, leading them to pick 0 days or an inflated float value.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Total float (also called slack) is the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the project finish date. It is computed using the forward and backward pass: Total Float = Late Start - Early Start (or Late Finish - Early Finish). In this network diagram, the critical path is determined by the longest sequence of dependent tasks, and any task not on that path has positive float. Real-world project managers use float to prioritize resources and manage schedule risk, as tasks with zero float require strict monitoring.
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.
Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts — This question tests Project Management Fundamentals and Core Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 1 day — Task B has a total float of 1 day because it lies on a non-critical path. The critical path (A-C-E) has a duration of 7 days, while the path containing Task B (A-B-D-E) has a duration of 6 days. Total float is calculated as the difference between the duration of the critical path and the duration of the path containing the task, which is 7 - 6 = 1 day.
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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Question Discussion
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