PMI SP Sample Questions: Be Scheduling Professional exam ready

Are you preparing to take the PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification exam? As with any certification exam, it is important to practice with PMI SP sample questions to increase your chances of success. By using these sample questions, you can familiarise yourself with the types of questions that appear on the exam, refine your test-taking strategies, and identify areas where you need to improve your knowledge. 

In this blog, we will provide an overview of PMI SP sample questions, where to find them, and their benefits for your exam preparation. We will also share sample questions and tips for answering them, as well as questions organised by the five domains of the PMI SP certification exam.  

Table of Contents 

1) PMI SP Sample Questions 

2) PMI SP Sample Questions Examples 

3) PMI SP Sample Questions by domain 

4) Tips for answering PMI SP Questions 

5) Conclusion 

PMI SP Sample Questions 

The PMI SP certification exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in scheduling projects. To prepare for the exam, it is essential to practice with PMI SP sample questions. These sample questions will help you understand the types of questions that you can expect on the exam, as well as help you develop the necessary skills to answer them correctly. 

There are various sources of PMI SP sample questions that you can use for your exam preparation. For instance, PMI offers its own PMI SP practice exam, which provides you with a realistic exam experience. Additionally, there are several third-party providers that offer sample questions in different formats, such as online quizzes or practice tests, to help you tailor your preparation to your learning style. 

The benefits of using PMI SP sample questions for your exam preparation are numerous. First, you can familiarise yourself with the exam structure, format, and question types, which will help you feel more confident and comfortable on exam day. Second, you can identify gaps in your knowledge and skills and use the sample questions to focus your study efforts on those areas. Finally, by practising with PMI SP sample questions, you can refine your test-taking strategies and build your confidence, which are critical elements for exam success. 
 

 

PMI SP Sample Questions Examples 

To give you a better idea of the types of questions you can expect on the PMI SP certification exam, here are a few sample questions with answers and explanations: 

1) Which of the following is NOT an input to the schedule development process?  

a) Organisational process assets  

b) Project management plan  

c) Work performance data  

d) Enterprise environmental factors  

Answer: C. Work performance data is an output of the Control Schedule process. 

Explanation: The schedule development process involves taking the project activities and sequencing them into a logical order, with durations and resource requirements. The inputs to this process are the project management plan, enterprise environmental factors, and organisational process assets. Work performance data, on the other hand, is an output of the Control Schedule process. 

2) During which process is the project schedule created?  

a) Define Activities  

b) Develop Schedule  

c) Control Schedule  

d) Sequence Activities  

Answer: B. Develop Schedule. 

Explanation: The Develop Schedule process involves analysing activity sequences, durations, resource requirements, and schedule constraints to create the project schedule. This process is where the schedule baseline is established and the project schedule is created. 

By practising with PMI SP sample questions like these, you can develop the necessary skills to approach and answer exam questions effectively. The next section will provide you with more sample questions organised by the five domains of the PMI SP certification exam. 

PMI SP Sample Questions by domain 

The PMI SP certification exam is organised into five domains, each covering different aspects of project scheduling. Here are some sample questions organised by domain to help you prepare for the exam: 

Domain 1: Schedule Mission Management 

1) What is the primary purpose of the schedule management plan?  

a) To document the approach for creating and managing the project schedule  

b) To identify and mitigate risks to the project schedule  

c) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team  

d) To establish the quality standards for the project schedule 

Answer: A. To document the approach for creating and managing the project schedule. 

Explanation: The primary purpose of the schedule management plan is to document the approach for creating and managing the project schedule, which includes determining the schedule methodology, identifying scheduling tools and techniques, defining the schedule development process, and establishing the schedule control process. 

2) Which of the following is NOT an output of the Define Activities process?  

a) Activity list  

b) Activity attributes  

c) Milestone list  

d) Resource calendar 

Answer: D. Resource calendar. 

Explanation: Resource calendar is an input to the Define Activities process, which identifies the specific resources required to complete each activity, as well as their availability and skills. The other options are all outputs of the Define Activities process. 

Domain 2: Schedule Creation and Maintenance  

1) What is the difference between a Gantt chart and a network diagram?  

a) A Gantt chart shows the critical path, while a network diagram shows activity dependencies  

b) A Gantt chart shows activity dependencies, while a network diagram shows the critical path  

c) A Gantt chart shows activity durations, while a network diagram shows the project timeline  

d) A Gantt chart shows the project budget, while a network diagram shows the resource requirements 

Answer: B. A Gantt chart shows activity dependencies, while a network diagram shows the critical path 

Explanation: A Gantt chart shows the project schedule in graphical form, with each activity represented by a bar that shows its start and end dates, as well as its duration. A network diagram, on the other hand, shows the logical relationships between activities using nodes and arrows, and can be used to identify the critical path and other schedule constraints. 

2) What is the purpose of a schedule baseline?  

a) To provide a target against which to measure project performance  

b) To identify and mitigate risks to the project schedule  

c) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team  

d) To establish the quality standards for the project schedule 

Answer: A. To provide a target against which to measure project performance 

Explanation: A schedule baseline is the approved version of the project schedule, against which actual project performance is measured. It provides a target for the project team to strive towards, and helps to identify variances and deviations from the planned schedule.

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Domain 3: Schedule Analysis  

1) What is the float for an activity?  

a) The difference between the early start and late start dates  

b) The difference between the early finish and late finish dates  

c) The difference between the late start and late finish dates  

d) The difference between the early start and early finish dates 

Answer: B. The difference between the early finish and late finish dates 

Explanation: Float, also known as slack, is the amount of time that an activity can be delayed without affecting the early start or early finish dates of its successor activities, or the project completion date. It is calculated as the difference between the late start and early start dates, or the late finish and early finish dates. 

2) What is the purpose of a schedule variance analysis?  

a) To compare actual project performance to the project baseline  

b) To identify and mitigate risks to the project schedule  

c) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team  

d) To establish the quality standards for the project schedule 

Answer: A. To compare actual project performance to the project baseline 

Explanation: Schedule variance analysis compares actual project performance to the project baseline, and calculates the schedule variance (SV) and schedule performance index (SPI). These metrics help to identify whether the project is ahead or behind schedule, and can be used to predict future schedule performance. 

Domain 4: Schedule Communication and Reporting  

1) What is the purpose of a milestone chart?  

a) To show the project schedule in graphical form  

b) To track the progress of individual activities  

c) To communicate key project events to stakeholders  

d) To identify potential risks to the project schedule 

Answer: C. To communicate key project events to stakeholders 

Explanation: A milestone chart is a visual representation of key project events, such as project start and end dates, major deliverables, and critical decision points. It is often used to communicate project progress and status to stakeholders, and can be included in status reports and other project communications. 

2) What is the difference between a status report and a progress report?  

a) A status report is quantitative, while a progress report is qualitative  

b) A status report is qualitative, while a progress report is quantitative  

c) A status report is a snapshot in time, while a progress report is an ongoing record  

d) A status report is used internally, while a progress report is used externally 

Answer: C. A status report is a snapshot in time, while a progress report is an ongoing record 

Explanation: A status report provides a snapshot of the project status at a specific point in time, and typically includes information on project scope, schedule, budget, risks, and issues. A progress report, on the other hand, provides an ongoing record of project progress and accomplishments, and may include details on specific tasks, milestones, or deliverables. 

Domain 5: Schedule Risk Management  

1) What is the difference between a risk and an issue?  

a) A risk is a potential problem, while an issue is an actual problem  

b) A risk is an internal problem, while an issue is an external problem  

c) A risk is a negative event, while an issue is a positive event  

d) A risk is uncertain, while an issue is certain 

Answer: A. A risk is a potential problem, while an issue is an actual problem 

Explanation: A risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, could have a positive or negative impact on project objectives. An issue, on the other hand, is a problem or challenge that has already occurred, and requires a corrective action or solution. While risks can be managed proactively, issues must be addressed reactively. 

2) What is the purpose of a risk register?  

a) To document identified risks and their characteristics  

b) To identify and mitigate risks to the project budget  

c) To document the roles and responsibilities of the project team for managing risks  

d) To establish the quality standards for the risk management process 

Answer: A. To document identified risks and their characteristics 

Explanation: A risk register is a document that identifies, analyses, and prioritises project risks, and provides a plan for monitoring and controlling them. It typically includes information on the risk description, probability, impact, mitigation strategy, and owner, and is used to guide risk management activities throughout the project lifecycle. 

By practising with a variety of sample questions for each domain, you can build your knowledge and skills in project scheduling and increase your chances of success on the PMI SP certification exam.

Tips for answering PMI SP Questions 

Here are some tips to help you answer PMI SP questions effectively: 

1) Understand the PMI SP exam format: The PMI SP exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, and you will have 3.5 hours to complete it. Familiarise yourself with the exam format, and practice answering sample questions to get a feel for the types of questions you can expect. 

2) Read the question carefully: Make sure you understand what the question is asking before you try to answer it. Pay attention to keywords such as "not," "except," and "best," as they can change the meaning of the question. 

3) Eliminate incorrect answers: If you're unsure of the answer, start by eliminating obviously incorrect answers. This will increase your chances of selecting the correct answer from the remaining options. 

4) Use the process of elimination: If you're unsure of the answer, use the process of elimination to narrow down your options. Eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect, and then consider the remaining options. 

5) Use your knowledge and experience: Draw on your knowledge and experience to help you answer the question. Think about how the concepts and principles you've learned apply to the situation described in the question. 

6) Use the PMI SP handbook as a reference: The PMI SP handbook is a valuable resource that provides detailed information about the exam content, format, and requirements. Use it as a reference when studying for the exam, and review it before taking the exam. 

7) Practice, practice, practice: The best way to prepare for the PMI SP exam is to practice answering sample questions. This will help you familiarise yourself with the exam format and the types of questions you can expect, and will also help you identify areas where you need to focus your study efforts. 

Remember, passing the PMI SP certification exam requires a combination of knowledge, skill, and preparation. Use these tips to help you answer PMI SP questions effectively and increase your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt. 

Take the first step towards becoming a certified PMI Scheduling Professional with our comprehensive PMI SP training course. 

Conclusion 

To pass the PMI SP certification exam, you need a solid understanding of project scheduling principles and practices. Using the PMI SP handbook, reviewing sample questions, and practising test-taking skills can increase your chances of passing on your first attempt. Take advantage of all resources available, stay focused, and committed to your goal. Good luck! 

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