PMI-SP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield PMI-SP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When applying the critical chain method, buffers are placed at the end of the project to protect which schedule element? → The project completion date
2. During a project status review, EV equals PV. What does this tell the project manager? → The project is on schedule
3. A PMI-SP professional discovers a conflict of interest in a current assignment. What is the MOST ethical course of action? → Disclose the conflict immediately and recuse if necessary
4. When estimating activity durations, which factor is MOST important to capture in the activity attributes? → Assumptions and constraints influencing the estimate
5. Which duration estimating technique is MOST appropriate when a project team has little historical data but access to subject matter experts? → Expert judgment
6. A project's Estimate to Complete (ETC) is calculated as EAC - AC. This formula is used when: → The original estimate is considered fundamentally flawed and a new estimate is prepared
7. During schedule control, what is the MAIN purpose of trend analysis? → To forecast future schedule performance based on historical performance data
8. Which of the following is an example of a leading indicator used in schedule monitoring? → Percentage of planned activities started on time in the current period
9. Which estimating technique is MOST appropriate early in a project when detailed scope information is not yet available? → Analogous estimating
10. A project's SPI is 0.85 at month 6. The project manager knows SPI tends to converge toward 1.0 near project end. What risk does this create for EVM forecasting? → SPI may mask persistent schedule problems as the denominator (PV) grows toward BAC
11. Why is contingency planning important in project scheduling? → To create alternative plans that minimize delays and address unforeseen risks
12. A PMI-SP certified professional is asked to provide services outside their scope of competence. The CORRECT ethical response is to: → Decline and refer to a qualified professional
13. In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) network, a Start-to-Start relationship with a lag of 2 days means: → The successor can start 2 days after the predecessor starts
14. Which component of the schedule management plan specifies the level of accuracy required for activity duration estimates? → Level of accuracy
15. In the context of PMI-SP, what does 'risk appetite' mean for schedule management decisions? → The degree of uncertainty an organization is willing to accept regarding schedule outcomes
16. Which type of schedule report provides the MOST comprehensive view by combining scope, schedule, and cost performance in one dashboard? → Earned Value Management dashboard
17. Which of the following metrics best forecasts the total project cost at completion, assuming current CPI remains constant? → EAC = BAC / CPI
18. Which output of the Develop Schedule process provides the start and finish dates for project activities? → Project schedule
19. When resources are leveled on a schedule, which of the following is the most common result? → The project duration is extended
20. What role does collaboration play in progress tracking for PMI-SP professionals? → It enhances outcomes through diverse perspectives and shared expertise
21. A client requests that several low-priority activities be deferred to a later phase. How should the schedule baseline be adjusted? → Submit a formal change request; upon approval, update the baseline to reflect the deferral
22. Which output of the Sequence Activities process is a graphical representation of all scheduled activities and their logical relationships? → Project schedule network diagram
23. Which professional attribute is most valued in duration estimating within the PMI-SP field? → Accountability and commitment to standards
24. What role does collaboration play in activity sequencing for PMI-SP professionals? → It enhances outcomes through diverse perspectives and shared expertise
25. A risk breakdown structure (RBS) is MOST useful in schedule risk management for: → Organizing and categorizing risks to identify patterns and ensure coverage
26. A PMI-SP is reviewing a schedule where the predecessor relationship between Design and Procurement is listed as 'FF+10d'. What does this mean? → Procurement cannot finish until 10 days after Design finishes
27. What is the value of continuing education in duration estimating for PMI-SP professionals? → It keeps professionals current with evolving standards and practices
28. Which float value measures the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish date? → Total float
29. In EVM, which baseline serves as the time-phased budget against which project performance is measured? → Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB)
30. In PMI-SP practice, what is the best approach to quality improvement in progress tracking? → Use data-driven methods with measurable outcomes