Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam requires thorough practice and familiarity with the exam format and question types. Accessing free PMP sample questions and answers is an excellent way to test your knowledge, understand the exam structure, and identify areas that require further study. In this article, we provide a compilation of free PMP sample questions and their corresponding answers to assist you in your exam preparation journey.
The Importance of PMP Sample Questions
PMP sample questions offer several benefits in your exam preparation:
- Help you understand the question format and structure of the PMP exam.
- Allow you to practice applying project management concepts to real-world scenarios.
- Assist in identifying knowledge gaps and areas that require additional study.
- Build your confidence and reduce anxiety by familiarizing you with the exam environment.
- Improve your time management skills by simulating the time constraints of the actual exam.
Below are 5 exam questions for you to study. In order to get the full benefit of any sample questions and answers you use, we recommend writing the questions and your answers down before checking your answers against the key. This will allow you to determine which questions and knowledge areas you need to focus on between now and the exam.
PMP Exam Questions #1
The primary purpose of Project Management Plan development is to—
a. Create a document to guide project execution and control
b. Document project assumptions and constraints
c. Promote communication among stakeholders
d. Define key project reports
PMP Exam Questions #2
Jan started her project in February with a project staff of 15 people, besides herself, three of whom also served as project management team members. By June, four more people had begun working on the project. How many more people and communication channels were on her team in June?
a. There were three more people on her team and 190 additional communication channels.
b. There were four more people and 120 additional communication channels.
c. There were three more people on her team and 70 additional communication channels.
d. There were four additional people on the team and 70 more communication channels.
PMP Exam Questions #3
A 12 month project has a budget at complete of $100,000. At month eight, actual costs were $104,000. What is the project status?
a. In trouble, since more was spent than was budgeted
b. Doing okay so far, since less was spent than was budgeted
c. There is not enough information to determine the status
d. Over budget and behind schedule
PMP Exam Questions #4
Force Majeure is a term derived from insurance law meaning .
a. Superior or irresistible force, such as lightning, earthquakes, storms, or floods.
b. Any party to a contract can redress alleged illegalities through any U.S. District Court.
c. The buyer can seek damages from the seller due to major contract breaches.
d. The seller neglected to exercise due care in performance and is thus subject to a breach of contract action.
PMP Exam Questions #5
While reviewing the estimates from the functional managers assigned to your project you discover that one cost estimate is clearly higher than those submitted for previous projects. You should—
a. Reject the estimate and remove the functional manager from the project
b. Request the supporting details for the estimate to ensure it has been properly prepared.
c. Accept the estimate and plan to use the additional funding as a reserve.
d. Question each functional manager for information about this estimate.
PMP Example Questions Answers & Rationales
Answer for Question 1
A is the correct answer: Assumptions and complaints, answer B, are separate sheets prepared in the planning stage but are not primary to the Project Management Plan itself. Likewise, answers C and D, communication among stakeholders and defining the key project reports, while done in the planning stage aren’t part of the report. The primary purpose of the Project Management Plan is to create the document that will guide the project throughout the lifecycle.
Answer for Question 2
D is the correct answer: In order to come up with answer D you must use the Communication Channel calculation, n(n-1)/2, n equalling the number of stakeholders and team members. Based on the calculator, As of January, Jan had 16(15)/2= 120 channels. By calculating the number of channels, factoring in the number of people added between January and June, 20(19)/2 = 190 and subtracting the previous channels, (190): 190 – 120 = 70, four additional people adds 70 communications channels. Answer A factors in the wrong amount of people as well as an incorrect number of channels. Answer B, comes up with the incorrect number of channels and answer C starts with the wrong amount of additional people.
Answer for Question 3
A is the Correct Answer: Answer B is incorrect because at less than 1 year the costs have overrun the complete budget. Answer C is incorrect because the data is available and there is enough information to determine the status, and answer D isn’t valid because the project schedule was 12 months and only 8 months has passed so at this point we can’t determine if it is behind schedule with the amount of information we have. Answer A is correct because the current costs have exceeded the amount budgeted.
Answer for Question 4
A is the Correct Answer: Answer B refers to contract law, in particular it is often used when trying to prove that a contract is illegal. Answer C is also used in contract law as well and is the opposite of buyer beware giving buyers the ability to challenge a contract. Answer D also allows the buyer in a contract situation to consider the contract broken when the seller has been neglectful in the product or service delivery. Answer A, the correct answer, lets the buyer or contractee know that in cases of damage or delivery of goods or services beyond their control, such as a hurricane or a riot, the seller or contractor is not liable.
Answer for Question 5
B is the correct answer: Answer A would assume that no changes have occurred since the previous projects. Many factors could be present to increase the estimate, economical, governmental, environmental, etc. Answer C isn’t correct because as a project manager you need to know the determining factors in order to assess the costs and anticipate risks. Answer D puts you in the wrong light with the team. Requesting the documentation, Answer B, allows you to respect the team and their decision, while gathering the information for the current project as well as factors which may impact future projects.
Accessing Free PMP Sample Questions
There are various online platforms and resources where you can find free PMP sample questions. Here are a few reliable sources:
- Project Management Institute (PMI) official website: PMI offers a collection of sample questions on their website to help candidates prepare for the PMP exam. These questions are based on the current exam content outline and can give you a good understanding of the question style and difficulty level.
- Online Forums and Discussion Groups: Participating in project management forums and discussion groups can provide access to a wealth of information and resources, including free PMP sample questions. Fellow project management professionals often share their own practice questions and discuss answers, contributing to a collaborative learning environment.
- Free Online Learning Platforms: Several online learning platforms offer free PMP sample questions as part of their course previews or trial versions. Take advantage of these opportunities to access a variety of questions and evaluate your readiness for the PMP exam.
Tips for Using PMP Sample Questions Effectively
While practicing with PMP sample questions, keep the following tips in mind:
- Simulate the Exam Conditions: Create an environment similar to the actual exam while attempting the sample questions. Set a timer and allocate the same amount of time as the real exam to each question.
- Review Both Correct and Incorrect Answers: After completing a set of sample questions, review both the correct answers and the explanations for incorrect answers. This step helps reinforce your understanding of the concepts and clarify any misconceptions.
- Focus on Weaker Areas: Pay attention to the areas where you consistently struggle or answer incorrectly. Use these insights to guide your further study and review of project management topics.
- Diversify Your Sources: Utilize sample questions from different sources to expose yourself to a broader range of question styles and topics. This approach helps you develop a well-rounded knowledge base.
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Conclusion
Accessing free PMP sample questions and answers is an invaluable resource for your PMP exam preparation. These questions allow you to familiarize yourself with the exam format, practice applying project management concepts, and identify areas for improvement. Remember to simulate exam conditions, review both correct and incorrect answers, focus on weaker areas, and diversify your sources. By incorporating these practices into your study routine, you will enhance your confidence and increase your chances of success in the PMP certification exam.
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