This PMP practice question tests your understanding of process — managing technical aspects. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. ``` Task A: 5 days Task B: 3 days (depends on A) Task C: 4 days (depends on A) Task D: 2 days (depends on B and C) ```
Refer to the exhibit. What is the critical path duration?
Refer to the exhibit. ``` Task A: 5 days Task B: 3 days (depends on A) Task C: 4 days (depends on A) Task D: 2 days (depends on B and C) ```
9 days
Why wrong: No path sums to 9 days.
11 days
Critical path is A-C-D = 11 days.
10 days
Why wrong: That is the duration of path A-B-D.
12 days
Why wrong: Overestimated.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
11 days
The critical path is the longest path through the network diagram, determining the shortest possible project duration. By summing the durations along each path, Path A-C-D totals 11 days, which is longer than the other paths, making 11 days the correct critical path duration.
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.
9 days
Why it's wrong here
No path sums to 9 days.
11 days
Why this is correct
Critical path is A-C-D = 11 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
10 days
Why it's wrong here
That is the duration of path A-B-D.
12 days
Why it's wrong here
Overestimated.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often mistakenly sum all activity durations in the diagram or pick the shortest path, rather than identifying the longest path through the network.
Detailed technical explanation
The critical path method (CPM) identifies the sequence of activities with zero total float; any delay on this path directly delays the project. In this network, Path A-B-E-F has no float, while other paths have positive float, meaning they can slip without affecting the end date. Real-world project managers use CPM to prioritize resources on critical activities and compress schedules via crashing or fast-tracking.
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 PMP 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
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FAQ
Process — Managing Technical Aspects — This question tests Process — Managing Technical Aspects — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 11 days — The critical path is the longest path through the network diagram, determining the shortest possible project duration. By summing the durations along each path, Path A-C-D totals 11 days, which is longer than the other paths, making 11 days the correct critical path duration.
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
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