Sample questions.
These illustrate the style and format you can expect. They are for familiarisation only and are not drawn from the live item bank.
A schedule shows the critical path running through a procurement activity with no float. The most appropriate first action is to:
CPI = 0.85 and SPI = 1.05 on a project. This indicates work is:
The primary purpose of a cost-estimate classification (e.g., Class 5 to Class 1) is to communicate:
In quantitative schedule-risk analysis, a Monte Carlo simulation primarily produces:
An AI tool forecasts a more optimistic completion date than the analyst’s manual forecast. Under PCI’s governed-AI principle, the professional should:
Which practice best protects the integrity of reported project-controls data?
About the examination
The full format — number of items, duration, pass mark and proctoring — will be published in the Candidate Handbook. For the examination approach see the Exam Structure, and to understand what is assessed see the Body of Knowledge.
How to use these samples well
Six questions can't measure readiness, but used deliberately they can sharpen it. The value isn't in getting them right — it's in watching how you get them right.
- Answer before you peek. Commit to an option and write one sentence of reasoning before checking. The reasoning, not the letter, is what the exam tests.
- Diagnose misses by domain. A wrong earned-value answer and a wrong scheduling answer call for different revision. Map every miss to a domain of the Body of Knowledge and study there.
- Re-derive, don't memorise. These exact items will not appear. Being able to explain why B is right — and why A, C and D are wrong — is the transferable skill.
What each style of question is testing
Concept & definition
Do you know what a term means precisely enough to distinguish near-neighbours — estimate class from contingency, float from lag?
Calculation & interpretation
Can you compute an index or variance and, more importantly, say what it means for the project? Numbers without interpretation earn nothing in practice.
Scenario judgement
Given a realistic situation, can you pick the most appropriate first action? These reward disciplined method — interrogate before you escalate.
Governed-AI judgement
When an AI output and professional analysis disagree, do you know the professional's obligation? These test “AI proposes, the professional disposes” in applied form.
For structured practice beyond these samples, PCI's official preparation platform is Certuvo.