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PMP Exam Sample Questions:

1. You are managing an amusement park development project. You received the following estimates for site excavation and area development activity, which are critical to the success of your project. The most likely estimate is $100,000, the optimistic estimate is $90,000, and the pessimistic estimate is $120,000. What is the variance of the data?

A. $25,000,000 B. $5,000 C. $30,000 D. $10,5000

Hint: Calculate the standard deviation using the PERT method and then calculate the variance from it.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The standard deviation can be calculated as (Pessimistic - Optimistic) / 6. Variance can be calculated by squaring the standard deviation. For the given data, the variance is $25,000,000 and the standard deviation is $5,000. Note: Whenever any question asks about weighted average, standard deviation or the variance from given three estimates, always use PERT formulas to calculate the required outcome. This needs to be done even if the question doesn't explicitly tell you to use PERT formulas.

2. On your project, you handle known risks by performing the Plan Risk Responses process. Which of the following would you use when you encounter unknown risks?

A. Risk Reserves B. Risk Mitigation C. Risk Transfer D. Risk Acceptance

Hint: Unknown risks cannot be managed proactively.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Unknown risks are handled by applying risk reserves.

3. You are managing a construction project for a client and have subcontracted out some of the project work. You negotiated different contracts with the subcontractors, which include various activities and resources, such as site excavation, raw material supplies, and labor workforce. Each of these contract life cycles can end during which phase of your project life cycle?

A. The Closing phase of the project life cycle

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B. The Executing phase of the project life cycle C. The Monitoring and Controlling phase of the project D. Each contract life cycle can end during any project life cycle phase

Hint: The life span of a contract life cycle depends upon the nature of the work involved not on the entire project work.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: A complex project can involve managing multiple contracts or subcontracts simultaneously or in sequence. In such cases, each contract life cycle can end during any phase of the project life cycle. The buyer-seller relationship can exist at many levels on any one project and between organizations internal to and external to the acquiring organization.

4. Which of the following diagramming techniques is a typical display of Sensitivity Analysis?

A. Influence Diagram B. Network Diagram C. Fishbone Diagram D. Tornado Diagram

Hint: This type of diagram compares relative importance and impact of variables that have a high degree of uncertainty to those that are more stable.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: One typical display of Sensitivity Analysis is the Tornado Diagram, which is useful for comparing the relative importance and impact of variables that have a high degree of uncertainty to those that are more stable.

5. Which of the following estimating techniques is generally less costly and less time-consuming?

A. Parametric Estimating B. Analogous Estimating C. Reserve Analysis D. Bottom-Up Estimating

Hint: Which technique will you rely on for developing a quick but rough estimate?

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Analogous estimating is generally less costly and less time-consuming than other techniques but it is also generally less accurate. Analogous duration estimates can be

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applied to a total project or to segments of a project and may be used in conjunction with other estimating methods. Analogous estimating is most reliable when the previous activities are similar in fact and not just in appearance, and the project team members preparing the estimates have the necessary expert judgment.