Free CMVP® Certification Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the CMVP® Certification Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An analyst draws a measurement boundary around a replaced pump and its drive rather than around the building utility meter. Which distinction does this choice establish?

   1. A.The boundary separates baseline data from reporting-period data.
   2. B.The boundary sets the equipment scope of retrofit isolation.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The boundary defines which party pays the electricity bill.
   4. D.The boundary determines the contractual length of the baseline.

   Explanation: FEMP states: "The primary difference in these approaches is where the measurement boundary is drawn." A pump-and-drive boundary isolates the affected system. A boundary determines the physical energy-accounting scope; it does not itself set a time period, payer or contract term.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.1, printed page 18

2. 2A measurement plan estimates operating hours but measures the key power parameter of an isolated retrofit. Which M&V option matches that combination?

   1. A.Option A—key parameter measurement.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Option B—all parameter measurement.
   3. C.Option C—whole-facility measurement.
   4. D.Option D—calibrated simulation.

   Explanation: The guidance states: "Any factor not measured is estimated based on assumptions or analysis of historical or manufacturers’ data and considered a stipulated value." Option A combines key measurement with supported estimates. B measures all relevant parameters; C uses facility data; D relies on a calibrated model.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.2, printed page 20

3. 3A pump's published power rating differs materially from a credible operating observation. What should an Option A analyst obtain to resolve the baseline power value?

   1. A.Use the nameplate rating adjusted only for nominal motor efficiency.
   2. B.Measure actual electrical power under the relevant operating conditions.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Use the replacement pump's future measured power as the old pump's baseline.
   4. D.Infer operating power from rated capacity without checking the actual load.

   Explanation: FEMP states: "Where discrepancies exist or are believed to exist, field-operating data should be obtained." Actual operating measurements resolve the disputed baseline value. Nameplate assumptions, the replacement case and unchecked capacity do not establish the old pump's operating input.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.2.1.1, printed page 21

4. 4A whole-building regression predicts monthly electricity use from weather and production. Which quantity is the dependent variable?

   1. A.Monthly electricity use.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Monthly heating degree days.
   3. C.Monthly production volume.
   4. D.The outdoor temperature used by the model.

   Explanation: FEMP states: "Regression models are developed to predict energy use based on the appropriate independent variables for the project." The predicted outcome is dependent energy use. Weather and production are predictors, not the modeled response.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.4.1, printed page 26

5. 5Which content belongs in a project-specific M&V plan before verification begins?

   1. A.Only the contractor's final invoice for installed equipment.
   2. B.Only the product ratings supplied by the equipment vendor.
   3. C.The savings calculation method and the schedule of verification activities.Correct answer: C
   4. D.The verified first-year savings before the performance year has occurred.

   Explanation: The publisher states: "The M&V plan defines how savings will be calculated and specifies any ongoing activities that will occur after equipment installation." The plan establishes how and when performance will be evaluated. Procurement documents and premature annual results do not constitute that plan.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 2.2.4, printed pages 9–10

6. 6The as-built installation differs from the final proposal, changing the expected energy savings. What should the post-installation report do?

   1. A.Continue to present the proposal's savings without noting the installation change.
   2. B.Describe the as-built changes and their effect on estimated savings.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Report only the equipment purchase-price difference as the energy impact.
   4. D.Replace all equipment-level documentation with a single unchanged guarantee.

   Explanation: The source states: "Details of any changes between the final proposal and as-built conditions, including any changes to the estimated energy savings" The report must make the actual installation and changed estimate visible. A guarantee or price difference does not document the technical effect.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 2.2.6, printed page 11

7. 7An analyst already measures a chiller's electric input power and needs to determine cooling capacity for a kW/ton calculation. Which additional measurements does FEMP identify?

   1. A.Water flow rate and the motor's nameplate voltage.
   2. B.Entering-water pressure and leaving-water pressure.
   3. C.Water flow rate and the temperature difference across the chiller.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Electric input power and entering-water temperature alone.

   Explanation: FEMP states: "The capacity in tons is determined by measuring the flow rate and temperature difference across the chiller" Flow and temperature change establish thermal output for the water circuit. Voltage does not provide heat transfer, pressure difference does not provide temperature change, and one temperature plus electric input does not give cooling capacity.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 5.3.1, printed page 44

8. 8In a forecasting approach to SEM savings, what does the baseline-period regression predict when it is applied to reporting-period operating variables?

   1. A.Energy use of the improved equipment under reporting-period conditions.
   2. B.Energy use without SEM under reporting-period operating conditions.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Energy use without SEM under baseline-period operating conditions only.
   4. D.The difference in operating variables between the baseline and reporting periods.

   Explanation: The source states: "predict what facility energy consumption would have been during the reporting period had the facility not implemented SEM." The forecast is the no-SEM energy counterfactual at reporting conditions. Improved equipment, old conditions alone or changes in drivers are not that predicted energy quantity.

   Reference: UMP Strategic Energy Management Evaluation Protocol — Section 4.1.1, Forecast Models, printed page 29

9. 9A simulation package has an easy-to-use graphical interface. What professional capability is still important for an Option D analysis?

   1. A.Experience sufficient to understand the model's capabilities and actual data requirements.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Only familiarity with drawing a building outline on the screen.
   3. C.Only the ability to select the highest simulated savings value.
   4. D.No modeling competence once the software runs without an error message.

   Explanation: The source states: "a program’s capabilities and real data requirements cannot be fully understood by inexperienced users, and resulting models may not be accurate." Software usability does not establish modeling competence. A running program or attractive savings result does not demonstrate a valid model.

   Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.5.4, printed page 38

10. 10A whole-facility M&V boundary contains both retrofitted lighting and unchanged plug loads. When determining energy use within that boundary, how should the unchanged plug loads be treated?

    1. A.Remove their consumption because no retrofit was installed on them.
    2. B.Assign their entire consumption to the lighting retrofit as savings.
    3. C.Include their consumption in the energy accounting for the boundary.Correct answer: C
    4. D.Replace their consumption with the contractor's guaranteed savings.

    Explanation: FEMP states: "To determine savings, all energy used within the boundary, indicated by M (indicating meter) in Figure 4-1, must be considered." The unchanged loads remain inside the chosen boundary. Their presence is not savings, and excluding them would change the accounting scope.

    Reference: FEMP M&V Guidelines 5.0 — Section 4.1, printed page 18