Free PMI-CP Certification Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A concrete supplier has already missed a required delivery. How should the missed delivery itself be classified during a project review?

   1. A. An opportunity
   2. B. An issue
   3. C. A risk trigger only
   4. D. An uncertain threat

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The paper states, "An event that has already occurred is an issue, not a risk." The missed delivery is an actual event rather than a possible future event.

   Reference: A practical risk management approach — Understanding Risks

2. 2What communication-related role does a project management information system serve on a construction project?

   1. A. It equates successful transmission with stakeholder understanding.
   2. B. It equates document access with agreement on a decision.
   3. C. It treats uploaded information as ready for use without interpretation.
   4. D. It supports information exchange and project decision-making.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: PMI describes PMIS as supporting "the effectiveness and efficiency of how information is communicated within project teams" and facilitating decision-making. The tool supports, rather than replaces, management judgment.

   Reference: PMI Construction Professional—Project Communications — Section 8: The Project Management Information System

3. 3A team is defining scope for a new facility. What starting point best keeps the work connected to the project's mission?

   1. A. The desired end state and expected benefits
   2. B. The largest list of available construction activities
   3. C. The preferred solution of the first supplier contacted
   4. D. The work packages copied unchanged from a past project

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The paper recommends starting "with the desired end state and associated expected benefits." Required work is then derived from those outcomes.

   Reference: Scope change control: control your projects or your projects will control you! — Step 5: Document and Validate the Full Scope of Work

4. 4How should the rigor of a construction project's governance framework be selected?

   1. A. Reuse the previous project's rigor without examining project differences.
   2. B. Base rigor on schedule pressure without considering risk or complexity.
   3. C. Base rigor on contract value without considering stakeholders or risk.
   4. D. Tailor it to scope, complexity, risk, and organizational importance.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The paper bases governance on "the project’s scope, timeline, complexity, risk, stakeholders and importance to the organization." It rejects a one-size-fits-all approach.

   Reference: Project governance: #1 critical success factor — Eight Governance Components—(1) Governance Models

5. 5A possible permitting change could shorten a construction project's approval period. Why does this possibility belong in risk identification?

   1. A. Risk identification includes favorable uncertainty.
   2. B. All regulatory changes are adverse uncertainties.
   3. C. Potential benefits are already realized outcomes.
   4. D. Only cost changes qualify as project uncertainty.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The paper explains, "a risk can have a positive impact or a negative impact." A possible shorter approval period is favorable uncertainty affecting a project objective.

   Reference: A practical risk management approach — Understanding Risks

6. 6An integrated construction team wants consistent handling of shared project information across organizations. What should its communication protocol establish?

   1. A. How each party will apply its own separate exchange rules
   2. B. How shared information will be used, managed, and exchanged
   3. C. How one fixed distribution list will be used for every message
   4. D. How file storage will substitute for information-use agreements

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The guide calls for agreement on "how information will be used, managed and exchanged". A shared protocol enables consistent use across parties and technologies.

   Reference: Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide — Section 4.1.3 Team Communications, printed page 10

7. 7A project objective says only that the new facility should perform well. What is needed to make completion of that objective assessable?

   1. A. A longer statement using more aspirational language
   2. B. A measurement or criterion showing whether it is achieved
   3. C. An assumption that satisfaction will be obvious at handover
   4. D. A rule that completion is determined only by money spent

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The paper says, "a project objective should have an associated metric or measurement to determine completion." The measure can be simple if it reliably indicates achievement.

   Reference: Scope change control: control your projects or your projects will control you! — Build Your Home on a Strong Foundation—project objectives

8. 8A project approved a governance plan at kickoff. What is required during the remaining life cycle?

   1. A. Use initial approval as the continuing test of governance effectiveness.
   2. B. Implement the plan and monitor its effectiveness throughout delivery.
   3. C. Review procedural compliance at closeout without monitoring during delivery.
   4. D. Update the plan's format without testing how governance works in practice.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The paper requires managers to "monitor and control the effectiveness of the governance plan." Establishing it at kickoff does not complete governance.

   Reference: Project governance: #1 critical success factor — Opening discussion—Longevity, monitoring and controlling of the governance plan

9. 9Two construction teams label the same potential delay as having different impact levels. What planning action would give them a consistent basis for assessment?

   1. A. Let each trade use its usual industry labels.
   2. B. Use the most experienced person's rating each time.
   3. C. Define shared impact levels for project objectives.
   4. D. Assign all schedule risks the highest impact level.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The paper states, "Establishing the high, medium, and low impact values for each parameter provides a common viewpoint for all team members to use as they consider a risk." Shared criteria resolve inconsistent interpretation.

   Reference: A practical risk management approach — Risk Management Planning

10. 10Which activity captures the purpose of a Big Room session?

    1. A. Key participants jointly advance work and make decisions.
    2. B. Managers collect status slides without working on decisions.
    3. C. Each trade performs unrelated work in the same large space.
    4. D. A facilitator gives a one-way report to passive participants.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: LCI says the goal is "to actually actively do work together that advances the project forward." Physical proximity or reporting alone does not establish the approach.

    Reference: Big Room — Benefits of Implementing a Big Room Strategy