PMI-RMP Specialized Risk Analyses Practice Question
During a Monte Carlo simulation in @RISK, you notice the project completion date distribution is heavily skewed. Which distribution type is most appropriate for modeling task durations that have a hard 'minimum' but a long 'maximum' tail?
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
✓
Beta distribution.
A PERT or Triangular distribution is often used, but a Beta distribution is generally preferred for modeling skewed task durations with defined minimum, mode, and maximum values.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Normal distribution.
Why it's wrong here
Normal distribution is symmetrical and unsuitable for skewed duration data.
- ✓
Beta distribution.
Why this is correct
The Beta distribution is flexible and ideal for skewed data with fixed bounds.
- ✗
Discrete distribution.
Why it's wrong here
Discrete distributions are for categorical outcomes, not continuous time durations.
- ✗
Uniform distribution.
Why it's wrong here
Uniform distribution assumes all values are equally likely, which is rarely true for project tasks.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every PMI-RMP question from scratch — 200 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official PMI exam blueprint
This PMI-RMP 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 PMI-RMP exam.