Free PMP® Practice
8 free PMP® practice questions — with full answer explanations
Realistic, exam-style questions covering all three PMP® domains: People, Process, and Business Environment. Click any question to reveal the answer and explanation.
How to use these questions
- Read each question and pick your answer before revealing.
- Click “Show answer & explanation” to check yourself.
- If you miss one, write down why, not just the right answer.
- Aim for 80%+ before scheduling your real exam.
Question 1 · People
A new project manager is taking over a project mid-execution. The team is underperforming and morale is low. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- A.Replace the underperforming team members.
- B.Hold one-on-one meetings with each team member to understand the issues.
- C.Escalate the situation to the project sponsor immediately.
- D.Re-baseline the schedule to give the team more time.
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: B
A servant-leader project manager builds trust before taking action. One-on-ones surface the root causes (unclear goals, blockers, interpersonal friction) and signal that the new PM cares. Replacing people, escalating, or re-baselining are reactions, not diagnoses.
Question 2 · Process
A project has a Budget at Completion (BAC) of $200,000. The Earned Value (EV) is $80,000 and the Actual Cost (AC) is $100,000. What is the Cost Performance Index (CPI)?
- A.0.80
- B.1.25
- C.0.40
- D.2.50
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: A
CPI = EV ÷ AC = 80,000 ÷ 100,000 = 0.80. A CPI below 1.0 means the project is over budget — for every $1 spent, only $0.80 of work has been completed.
Question 3 · Process
Using the same project from the previous question, what is the Estimate at Completion (EAC), assuming current cost performance continues?
- A.$160,000
- B.$220,000
- C.$250,000
- D.$300,000
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: C
When current variances are typical of future work, EAC = BAC ÷ CPI = 200,000 ÷ 0.80 = $250,000. The project is forecast to finish $50,000 over budget if nothing changes.
Question 4 · People
A project team has 6 members. A new stakeholder joins the team. How many additional communication channels are created?
- A.1
- B.6
- C.7
- D.21
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: B
Channels = n × (n − 1) ÷ 2. With 6 people: 6 × 5 ÷ 2 = 15. With 7 people: 7 × 6 ÷ 2 = 21. The difference is 21 − 15 = 6 new channels. Tip: the new stakeholder adds one channel to each existing member.
Question 5 · Business Environment
During project execution, a regulatory change requires the team to add new compliance documentation. What should the project manager do FIRST?
- A.Begin work on the documentation immediately to stay compliant.
- B.Submit a change request through the integrated change control process.
- C.Inform the team and update the project schedule.
- D.Add the cost to the contingency reserve.
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: B
Any change to scope, schedule, or cost — even mandatory regulatory ones — must go through integrated change control. The change request is reviewed, approved, and only then incorporated into the baselines. Skipping change control violates project governance.
Question 6 · Process — Agile
In a Scrum team, who is responsible for prioritizing the product backlog?
- A.The Scrum Master
- B.The Development Team
- C.The Product Owner
- D.The Project Sponsor
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Correct answer: C
The Product Owner owns the product backlog and is solely accountable for ordering items to maximize value. The Scrum Master facilitates the process; the Development Team selects items for the sprint; the Sponsor is not a Scrum role.
Question 7 · People
Two senior engineers on the project are in open conflict over the technical approach, and it is delaying decisions. As project manager, what is the BEST conflict resolution technique to use?
- A.Smoothing — emphasize areas of agreement.
- B.Withdrawing — let the conflict cool down on its own.
- C.Compromising — find a middle ground that gives each side something.
- D.Collaborating — work together to find a solution that satisfies both.
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: D
Collaborating (problem-solving) is the highest-value conflict resolution technique on the PMP® exam — it produces win-win outcomes and is preferred whenever there is time. Compromising is a fallback when collaboration is not possible. Smoothing and withdrawing are temporary fixes that do not resolve the underlying issue.
Question 8 · Process
A risk has a 30% probability of occurring and would cost the project $40,000 if it does. What is the Expected Monetary Value (EMV) of this risk?
- A.$4,000
- B.$12,000
- C.$28,000
- D.$40,000
Show answer & explanation+
Correct answer: B
EMV = Probability × Impact = 0.30 × $40,000 = $12,000. Sum the EMVs across all identified risks to size your contingency reserve. Negative impacts are costs (threats); positive impacts are benefits (opportunities).
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Practice question FAQ
How realistic are these PMP® practice questions?+
These questions are written in the style of the current PMI® PMP® exam, with situational scenarios, EVM math, and Agile content. They are not actual exam questions (those are confidential under NDA) but reflect the format, difficulty, and domain coverage you can expect.
How many practice questions should I do before the real PMP® exam?+
Most students who pass the PMP® on the first try complete 1,000–2,000 practice questions during prep, scoring 75–80%+ on full-length mocks before testing. Wiser Generations™ Study Access ($47/month) includes a much larger question bank with detailed explanations.
Are the explanations enough to learn from, or do I need a course?+
For self-disciplined learners with prior PM experience, the explanations plus a study guide may be enough. For most candidates, a structured course with mentor support, live Q&A, and accountability dramatically increases first-attempt pass rates. See our PMP® Certification Prep program for live cohort options.
Do you cover all three exam domains (People, Process, Business Environment)?+
Yes. The 8 sample questions above touch People (servant leadership, conflict, communication), Process (EVM, EMV, Scrum), and Business Environment (compliance, change control). The 25 follow-up questions emailed to you after signup expand coverage further.