Understanding 15 PMI Question Types

Presented By:
Adekunle Philips Adeniyi
PMI (PMP, RMP, SP, ACP, PBA) MCTS
Principal Consultant, Project Taskmodes Ltd.
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If you know the enemy and know yourself,

you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.
If you know yourself but not the enemy,
for every victory gained you will also suffer a
defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself,
you will succumb in every battle.
-Sun Tzu
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Welcome
About Me.
PMI Examination Overview
The 15 Question Types & Tips to Answer Them
Questions
15 Deadly Mistakes to Avoid
Next Step
Acknowledgements
Thank You
PMI Examination Overview
5

PMBOK Guide PMP Exam Content Outline

PMI Examination Overview
6

PMBOK Guide PMP Exam Change PMP Exam Content Outline

PMBOK Guide, 4th Edition Released
Dec 2008
Content Outline Updated
Based on RDS 2009-10
Aug 2011
Aug 2009

PMBOK Guide, 5th Edition Released

Dec 2012
Aug 2011 Content Outline Updated
Based on RDS 2014
Jun 2015
PMBOK Guide, 6th Edition* Aug 2013
To be Released
Dec 2017
Jan 2016

Aug 2018*
The Question Types & Tips to Answer Them
1. Questions that are ITTO based
2. Questions that are Definitions based
3. Questions that are Situational
4. Questions that are excessively
wordy
5. Questions that are formula based
6. Questions that are interpretational
7. Questions requiring a specific
technique
8. Questions with two or more right
answers
9. Questions with extraneous
information
7
10. Questions using made-up terms
11. Questions where understanding is
important
12. Questions with a new approach to
a known topic
13. Questions with more than one item
in each option
14. Questions that are knowledge
based on PMBOK Guide
15. Questions on professional ethics
and social responsibility
16. Negative Questions*
1. Questions that are ITTO based
8

This type of Question will test your understanding of the Input, Tools & Techniques
and Output of any of the 47 Known Processes in the PMBOK Fifth Edition
Example: The Correct Answer is A
Accepted Deliverables are Output or deliverables that
Accepted deliverables are an input to have been accepted through the Validate Scope
the Close Project or Phase process. process.
These deliverables would have been Reference:
accepted through which of the following PMBOK 5th edition, Section 4.6.1 Close Project or
processes? Phase, Inputs, and 5.5.3 Validate Scope: Outputs,
page 101 and 135.
A. Validate Scope Knowledge Area(s): Project Integration/Scope/Quality
B. Control Quality Management.
Domain V: Closing.
C. Control Scope Task 1: Obtain final acceptance of the project
D. Perform Quality Assurance deliverables from relevant stakeholders in order to
confirm that project scope and deliverables were
achieved.
2. Questions that are Definitions based
9

These are the simplest questions that you will see on your PMP certification exam;
by just focusing on the project management definitions, acronyms and glossary of
terms. The Correct Option is D
Example: A checklist is a structured tool, usually component-
specific, used to verify that a set of required steps
In Quality Management, A checklist is: has been performed.
A. An ordered listing of quality items that must be Reference:
verified before the quality control step is PMBOK 5th edition, Section 8.1.3 Plan Quality
completed Management: Outputs, Quality Checklists,
Page 242.
B. An inspection list that is used when no Knowledge Area: Project Quality Management.
evidence exists that the quality level of the Domain II: Planning.
product being submitted is better or worse Task 8: Develop the quality management plan and
than the specified quality level define the quality standards for the project and
C. A technical list of measured variables or its products, based on the project scope, risks,
counted data for decision making in a quality and requirements, in order to prevent the
process review occurrence of defects and control the cost of
quality.
D. A structured tool used to verify that a set of
required steps has been performed
2. Questions that are Definitions based (b)
10

These are the simplest questions that you will see on your PMP certification exam;
by just focusing on the project management definitions, acronyms and glossary of
terms, however the definition can be reversed
The Correct Option is C,
Example 2: Fast Tracking. Fast tracking is defined as A specific
project schedule compression technique that changes
Doing activities in parallel that would network logic to overlap phases (or activities) that
normally be done sequentially in order to would normally be done in sequence.
achieve project objectives or to deal with Reference:
resource allocation problems is called: PMBOK 5th edition, Section 6.6.2 Develop Schedule:
Tools and Techniques-Schedule Compression, Page
A. Crashing 181.
B. Accelerating Knowledge Area(s): Project Time Management.
Domain II: Planning.
C. Fast Tracking Task 4: Develop the project schedule based on the
D. Objectives management approved project deliverables and milestones,
scope, and resource management plans in order to
manage timely completion of the project.
3. Questions that are Situational
Situational questions is critical to passing this exam. Such questions require you to
integrate your real-world experience and your knowledge of the exam concepts.
Example:
You receive notification that a major item
you are purchasing for a project will be
delayed.
What is the BEST thing to do?
A. Re-plan your project to accommodate
this delay.
B. Notify your boss.
C. Let the customer know about it, and
talk over options.
D. Meet with the team, and identify
alternatives.
11
The Best option is D
As Project Managers, real world challenges encourages
you to make smart decisions and show your
Leadership skills. In this scenario, you should first
consult your team for options.
Option A is wrong because you need to carry your
team along as some may be impacted by the issue
Option B is wrong because most likely your boss will
also seek recommendations from you and your team
Option C is wrong and should be the last option to
implement when other options have failed
Reference: Project Management Professional (PMP)
Examination Content Outline June 2015, Page 11.
Cross-Cutting Knowledge and Skills: Decision making,
Leadership tools, techniques, and skills
4. Questions that are excessively wordy
Instead of saying, "The team is not reporting properly," the exam could say, "The team has lost sight
of the communications management plan. Answer such questions by extracting the core
information, then translate the wordy phrasing.
Example:
You are managing a bridge restoration project and in the
process of estimating the duration for a primary activity.
After consulting with several industry specific Subject Matter
Experts (SME), they have provided a range of estimates:
If all goes to plan, it can be completed in eight weeks.
From experience, it will be completed in twelve weeks.
Historically, inclement weather and difficulties sourcing
materials may cause the activity to take twenty weeks.
What is the standard deviation for the activity?
A. 6 weeks
B. 10 weeks
C. 2 weeks
D. 4 weeks
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Option C is correct. It is two weeks.
Explanation: The SMEs are actually providing
optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic
estimates. We need to use the Standard
Deviation (SD) formula derived from PERT
(Project Evaluation Review Technique)
method.
SD = (Pessimistic Optimistic) / 6
= (20-8) / 6
= 2 weeks.
Reference:
PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition, Section 6.5.2
Estimate Activity Durations: Tools and
Techniques, Page. 170-171.
Knowledge Area: Project Time Management
Domain II: Planning, Task 4.
5. Questions that are formula based
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Formula based questions are more than just solving for the median or calculating earned value.
There are around 49 PMP exam formulas that you must know backwards and forwards in order to
pass the PMP Exam. Understanding them thoroughly down to the importance of each element will
give you the decision making criteria to include or exclude the values in the PMP exam question.
Option A is correct. EV = 339 staff days.
Example: Explanation: The project plans to have 385 staff days
completed (PV) at the 70 percent completed stage (0.7 *
You are using Earned Value Analysis to assess the 550).
health of your project. The schedule is planned to The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) = 0.88.
last for 550 staff days. The project is around 70
percent complete and the Schedule Performance Therefore, SPI = EV / PV,
Index (SPI) = 0.88. rearrange to produce EV = SPI * PV
= 0.88 * 385
Calculate the Earned Value (EV) for the project = 338.8 (339) staff days.
(round answer to closest staff day).
Reference:
A. EV = 339 staff days PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, Section, 6.7.2 Control
B. EV = 484 staff days Schedule: Tools and Techniques, Page. 189 and 217-219.
C. EV = 338 staff days Knowledge Area: Project Time Management
Domain IV: Monitoring & Control, Knowledge and Skills:
D. EV = 385 staff days Performance measurement and tracking techniques (e.g.,
EV, CPM, PERT, Trend Analysis).
6. Questions that are interpretational
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Interpretational questions test your ability to deduce a situation or condition from the description of
a status or problem. For example: If your project has an SPI and a CPI both greater than 1, how well
is your project performing? To solve this, you will need to know how SPI and CPI relate to the
projects performance. Option B is correct. The schedule is slightly behind plan but in
Example: no imminent danger.
Explanation: Schedule Variance (SV) is indicating that the
You are using Earned Value Analysis to assess the project is only two staff-days behind, and the project is 70
health of your project. The schedule is planned to percent complete. This time lapse can be easily made up. The
last for four hundred staff days. The project is Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is measuring at 0.97. If
around 70 percent complete, and the Schedule there are eight hours in a staff day, 0.97 indicates that 7.76
Variance (SV) is -2. The Schedule Performance hours (0.97 * 8) of work is being completed for every eight
hours.
Index (SPI) is 0.97. How would you describe the
Remember, if SPI is <1, then the schedule performance is
health of your project? behind.
A. The schedule is slightly ahead of plan. Option D is wrong because the question is about schedule,
B. The schedule is slightly behind plan but in no not cost
imminent danger. Reference:
PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, Section 6.7.2 Control
C. The schedule is behind plan and requires Schedule: Tools and Techniques page. 189.
immediate emergency corrective action. Knowledge Area: Project Time Management
D. The budget is slightly behind plan but in no Domain IV: Monitoring & Control. Task 1
imminent danger.
7. Questions requiring a specific technique
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Specific Technique questions will provide a snap shot of a situation, like a network
diagram, and ask you to provide an element thats inherent in that diagram such as
forward pass, backward pass, floats or critical path. 9 16
Example: 8
6 8 17 24
From the figure shown. D
what is the planned duration of the critical path? 3 8
Assume the durations are in days.
B F
A. 43 days 1 5 13 14
B. 24 days 5 2
C. 22 days Start End
D. 18 days A E
6 12 13 22
Option B is correct.
Perform a forward pass using the critical path method. 7 10
Reference: C G
PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, Section, 6.6.2 Develop
Schedule: Tools and Techniques, Page. 177
Knowledge Area: Project Time Management
Domain II: Planning, Task 4.
8. Questions with two or more right answers
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Questions that appear to have two, three, or even four right answers are a major complaint from
many test takers. Many questions will list several choices that could reasonably be done, or that less-
experienced or less-qualified project managers would be likely to choose.
Example: The correct answer is A
You have just started leading a World bank health care Although the PMI code of ethics and
development project in an developing country in which it is professional conduct does not allow gift
customary to offer lunch when a project is initiated. Although, taking, project managers should obey the
your team members are willing to accept the offer, you norms and customs of others as long as they
decide to refuse the offer since you are well-aware that the
PMI's code of ethics and professional conduct does not allow do not show favoritism based on the norms.
to take gifts. Which of the following statements are TRUE Therefore, Your decision is wrong because
considering your decision? you should obey the norms and customs of
A. Your decision is wrong because you should obey the others as long as you do not favor them is
norms and customs of others as long as you do not favor the correct answer. The PMI code of conduct
them applies to both the local and international
B. Your decision is correct because you are engaging yourself projects.
in unethical behavior by accepting the lunch Reference:
C. Your decision is correct because you are following the PMI code of Ethics and Professional
PMI's code of ethics and professional conduct responsibility, Page 2 & 3 Prof. Responsibility
D. Your decision is wrong because conduct rules only apply to
local projects not international projects
9. Questions with extraneous information
17

It is very important to realize that not all information included in a question will be relevant. For
example, the numbers in the following question are extraneous data.

Example: The correct answer is D,

"Your company is a major manufacturer of doors,
and has received numerous awards for quality. As
the head of the manufacturing department, you
have 230 people reporting to you on 23 different
projects. Experience shows that each time you
double the production of doors, unit costs
decrease by 10 percent.
Based on this, the company determines that
production of 3,000 doors should cost $21,000.
This case illustrates...
A. Learning cycle.
B. Law of diminishing returns.
C. 80/20 rule.
D. Parametric cost estimating.
Parametric estimating uses a statistical
relationship between relevant historical data
and other variables (e.g., square footage in
construction) to calculate a cost estimate for
project work.
Reference:
PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, 7.2.2
Estimate Costs: Tools and Techniques page.
205.
Knowledge Area: Project Cost Management
Domain II: Planning.
10. Questions using made-up terms
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Many people taking the exam expect that all the terms used as choices should mean something.
They do not! There are often made-up terms on the exam. Perhaps the question writer needed
another choice, or perhaps the made-up terms are added to trick test takers. If you consider yourself
well trained and see a term you do not know on the exam, chances are it is not the right answer.
The correct answer is C,
Example:
In this question, "quantitative elaboration"
The ongoing definition of a project as more
information becomes available to the team is (choice D) is not a real project
called: management term. If you can easily
A. Scope validation. eliminate this, you narrow your chance of
getting to the right answer.
B. Strategic planning.
C. Progressive elaboration. Reference:
D. Quantitative elaboration. PMBOK Guide -Fifth Edition, Section 3.4
Planning Process Group Page 66
Knowledge Area: Project Management
Process
Domain II: Planning.
11. Where understanding is important
Sometimes you are exposed to some questions in the real exam the you do not have a clue from
which Domain or Knowledge area you are in.
Example:
The process of decomposing deliverables
into smaller, more manageable
components is complete when:
A. Project justification has been
established.
B. Change requests have occurred.
C. Cost estimates can be developed for
each work element.
D. Each work element is found in the
WBS dictionary.
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The correct answer is C,
In order to answer this question, you must understand
the terms, as well as the concept of decomposition
and what value this technique has in the project
management process.
Memorization is not enough!
Decomposition
Decomposition is a technique used for dividing and
subdividing the project scope and project deliverables
into smaller, more manageable parts. The work
package is the work defined at the lowest level of the
WBS for which cost and duration can be estimated
and managed.
Reference:
PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, Section 5.4.2 Create
WBS: Tools and Techniques
Knowledge Area: Project Scope Management
Domain II: Planning.
12. A new approach to a known topic
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There will be many instances where you understand the topic, but have never
thought about it in the way the question describes.

Example:
The correct answer is A,
In a matrix organization, information
Many people know what a matrix
dissemination is MOST likely to be effective
organization is but have not taken the
when:
time to consider how this organizational
A. Information flows both horizontally and structure affects the directions in which
vertically. communication and information is
B. The communication flows are kept simple. shared..
Reference:
C. There is an inherent logic in the type of matrix
chosen. PMBOK GuideFifth Edition, Section
2.1.3 Organizational Structures Page 31
D. Project managers and functional managers
socialize.
13. .more than one item in each option
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Let us look at the following examples, the options may be complimentary,

contradictory or an ideal structured steps
Example:
The seller on the project has presented the project manager with a formal notification
that the seller has been damaged by the buyers activities. The seller claims that the
buyers slow response to requested approvals has delayed the project and has caused the
seller unexpected expense. The FIRST things the project manager should do are:
A. Collect all relevant data, send the data to the company attorney, and consult with the
attorney about legal actions.
B. Review the contract for specific agreed-upon terms that relate to the issue, see if there
is a clear response, and consult an attorney if needed.
C. Review the procurement statement of work for requirements, send a receipt of claim
response, and meet to resolve the issue without resorting to legal action if possible.
D. Hold a meeting with the team to review why the acceptances have been late, make a
list of the specific reasons, and correct those reasons.
13. .more than one item in each option (b)
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Example:
When managing a project, which of the The Correct Option is D,
following is the BEST order to deal with In this case, you need to look at
problems that arise? each choice independently to see
A. Go to the team, go to management, go to if the process listed is correct.
resource managers.
B. Go to resource managers, go to
management, go to the customer.
C. Handle it yourself, go to the customer, go to
management.
D. Resolve problems with resources you control,
go to resource managers, go to the customer.
14. knowledge based on PMBOK Guide
23

PMBOK Guide Knowledge questions test your familiarity of specific areas, such as
Which of these processes are not part of the Initiating Process Group? or What to
do in a particular situation and understanding your or organizational exposures
Example: The Correct Option is D,
In a multi-phase project, the procurement team decided In multi-phase projects, although
the procurements for a particular
to close the procurements applicable to a particular phase may have been closed, the
phase of the project. What happens to unresolved claims? unresolved claims are still subject
A. Unresolved claims are usually resolved at the end of all to litigation after closure.
phases of the project. Reference:
B. Unresolved claims are also closed when the PMBOK 5th edition, Section 12.4
Close Procurements, Page 387
procurements for that phase are closed.
Knowledge Area: Project
C. Unresolved claims remain open for a period of 1 year Procurement Management
from closure of procurements. Domain V: Closing
D. Unresolved claims may still be subject to litigation after
closure.
 24
15. professional ethics and social responsibility
Since are you going to be a PMI Certified PMP, PMI expects you to follow a certain
code of ethics and professional conduct in your behavior.
As per PMI, As practitioners of project management, we are committed to doing
what is right and honorable. We set high standards for ourselves and we aspire to
meet these standards in all aspects of our lives- at work, at home, and in service to
our profession.
According to the PMI code of
Example: ethics and professional conduct,
project managers must take the
You overlooked a high-level risk in an insurance project and failed ownership of the decisions they
to document it in the project charter. If the risk shows up during make or fail to make. Thus, you
the planning phase, what should be your response as a project should take the responsibility
manager? and evaluate the impact first.
A. Take the responsibility and evaluate the impact Reference:
B. Call a customer meeting to inform them that risk has occurred PMI code of Ethics and
Professional responsibility, Page
C. Escalate to the sponsor for advice 2. Professional Responsibility
D. Develop the risk response plan and communicate to the team
Negative Questions
25

Finally, you should be extremely cautious of Negative Questions,


16. Negative Question
Example:
All of the following are Statistical
Sampling Method, Except.
A. Systematic Sampling
B. Variance Estimation
C. Stratified Sampling
D. Convenience Sampling
26
The correct Answer is B,
Choice A, C and D are valid examples of
Statistical Sampling.
Explanation;
Variance Estimation is an EMV Technique and not
a Statistical Sampling Method.
Reference:
PMBOK 5th edition, 8.3.2 Control Quality: Tools
and Techniques, Page 252.
Knowledge Area: Project Quality Management
Domain IV: Monitoring and Controlling, Task 3
Knowledge and Skills: Quality measurement tools
(e.g., statistical sampling, control charts,
flowcharting, inspection, assessment)
15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid
27

1. Not preparing for the examination

2. Thinking that Your Way and PMI Way are the same.
3. Using your Project Management Experience as a guideline
4. Using whatever materials that are available to sturdy
5. Reading the outdated PMBOK Guide & Exam Content Outline
6. Not finding the right PMI course
7. Taking the test before youre ready
8. Not having a test partner(s) or buddies
9. Putting off the test too long and forgetting what you have learned
10. Trying to go for the wrong certification
11. Not pacing yourself during the examination
12. Not taking breaks during the test
13. Using Outdated test questions to practice
14. Not being exposed to enough test questions
15. Not visiting the test center prior to the examination date
Next Steps
28

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PMI-PBA 3 35 22, 23, 29, 30

Days PDU Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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 Acknowledgements
1. Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Fifth Edition 2013 PMI
2. Project Management Professional (PMP) Examination Content Outline June 2015 PMI
3. PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 2006 PMI
4. Accelerated Learning to Pass PMI PMP Exam 8th Edition, 2013 By Rita Mulcahy, PMP, et. al
5. PMP Exam Prep: Questions, Answers & Explanations, 2013 Edition by Christopher Scordo
6. A Roadmap to Cracking the PMP Exam Copyright 2013 Stuart Brunt, PMP, PgMP, PMI-RMP
7. Project Management Tasks, Knowledge and Skills, PM Essentials & Exam Prep by Q'Vive
8. How to get every Network Diagram question right on the PMP Exam 2015 by Aileen Ellis
9. PMP Exam Simplified: Updated for 2016 Exam January 2016 January 2016
10. PMP Certification Math Practice: by Rod C.
11. PMP EXAM PREP - Over 400+ Qs that are the REAL DEAL!: 2014 by Alexander McDuffie
12. PMP Exam Preparation. 600 Questions with Explanations, 2nd Edition by Daud Nasir
13. Memorize PMP Exam Formulas Using Cartoons by Jennifer Nelson
14. Practice and Pass the PMP Exam: The 2000 Questions (Annotated) by FJ Russo
15. Crack the New (2016) PMP Exam in 4 Weeks: by Shiv Shenoy
16. PMP Certification Mathematics, 2010 by Vidya Subramanian & Ravi Ramachandran,
17. PMP Question Bank, 400 PMP Exam Sample Questions 2015 by M Fahad Usmani
18. PMP Examination Practice Qs for the PMBOK Guide, 5th edition. 2013 by Sean Whitaker
19. Http://www.wikipedia.com
20. Http://www.gettyimages.com
21. Http://www.chessbaron.co.uk
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31

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