AACE International AACE-PSP Exam Practice Test Instant Access

Question 1

These are the activities on the critical path:

AA, D, & I.

BA, C, E, & H.

CA, B, G, & H.

DA, B, F, & J

Answer : C

Critical Path Identification:

The critical path is the longest sequence of activities that determines the project's minimum duration.

Path: A B G H.

Exclusion of Other Options:

Paths involving F, J, or non-critical activities do not align with the longest duration.

Verification with PSP Guidelines: The PSP Study Guide emphasizes identifying the critical path for schedule optimization (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Critical Path Analysis)

Question 2

You are the project manager of the AHQ project. This project is scheduled to last for six months and will require S345.000 to complete. If the project completes earlier than scheduled your organization will receive a bonus of S5 000 per day of early completion Management has asked you to develop an aggressive schedule to realize as much of the bonus as possible but management does not want you to increase the costs of the project beyond $1,000 per day of the bonus realization. Which of the following approaches will likely add costs to the project?

AUsing the critical chain method

BFast tracking

CCrashing

DRebaseline the project

Answer : C

Question 3

In a "crashed" schedule, which is a chain of activities that precede activity 2004?

A1001, 2001, 2002, 2003

B2001, 2002, 2003, 2007

C1001, 2002, 2003

D1001, 2002, 2002, 2003, 3001

Answer : A

Crashed Schedule Predecessors to Activity 2004:

Activity 2004 (River Diversion to Pipeline) depends on completion of:

1001 (Preliminary Civil Work).

2001 (River Diversion Stage 1).

2002 (River Diversion Stage 2).

2003 (River Diversion Dam).

Exclusion of Other Activities:

Activity 2007 is not part of the crashed schedule's direct predecessor chain.

Other options include duplicated or incorrect entries.

PSP Study Guide Reference: Logical sequence analysis confirms these predecessors (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Activity Sequencing and Critical Path Analysis).

Question 4

When reconstructing a CPM schedule electronically from a hardcopy, which of the following is NOT required to determine the critical path?

ADetailed listing of working days for each calendar used

BPredecessor and successor listing with logic type and lag duration, preferably sorted by activity ID

CAssigned party responsibility for each work task

DTabular listing of activities showing duration, calendar ID, early and late dates

Answer : C

To reconstruct a CPM schedule electronically and determine the critical path, the following are essential:

Detailed listing of working days for each calendar (Option A): Ensures accurate scheduling across varying work periods.

Predecessor and successor relationships (Option B): Establishes logic and dependencies.

Tabular data including early/late dates (Option D): Necessary for computing float and identifying the critical path.

Assigned party responsibility (Option C) is important for resource management but not required to calculate the critical path.

Question 5

Assuming conventional finish-to-start relationships, to calculate a schedule retaining the existing logic means that

AIt is calculated using the original logic.

BIt is calculated using logic reflecting out-of-sequence progress.

CAn out-of-sequence activity cannot resume until all predecessors are finished.

DThere is no such thing.

Answer : A

Retaining existing logic means preserving the original relationships and dependencies defined in the schedule. Even if progress is recorded out of sequence, calculations adhere to the pre-established logic unless explicitly changed.

Option B reflects adjustments for out-of-sequence progress but contradicts the original logic requirement.

Option C imposes restrictions that do not align with typical CPM calculations.

Option D is incorrect as the concept exists.

The PSP Study Guide discusses the importance of maintaining logic integrity in CPM scheduling.

Question 6

Determine the correct formula and date for the late start for Activity 9001.

AThe early finish is required in order to determine the answer.

BLS.6001 Dur.6001 -> 11-20-02.

CThere is insufficient data provided to calculate the answer.

DLF.9001 Dur.9001 -> 11-20-02.

Answer : D

Activity Details (9001 - 'Spillway - Concrete'):

Duration: 175 days in the Normal schedule.

To calculate Late Start (LS), the Late Finish (LF) is required. LS is calculated by subtracting the activity's duration from the LF.

Formula for Late Start (LS): LS = LF.9001 - Dur.9001.

Date Calculation:

Late Finish (LF.9001) = 11-20-02 (given or derived).

Apply the formula: LS.9001 = LF.9001 - Dur.9001 = 11-20-02 - 175 days.

Cross-Verification of Dates:

After subtracting 175 days, LS.9001 = 11-20-02.

Cross-Verification with Answer Options:

Option A: Incorrect. EF (Early Finish) is not needed for this calculation.

Option B: Incorrect. Uses LS and Dur incorrectly without connecting to LF.

Option C: Incorrect. Data provided is sufficient.

Option D: Correct. Matches both the formula and the date calculation.

PSP Study Guide (2019), Section 2A -- Schedule Development, Subsection on Backward Pass Calculations.

AACE Recommended Practices, RP 10S-90, discussing Late Start and Late Finish calculations.

Question 7

Which statement is true?

AWhere compensability cannot be established, excusability is assumed.

BWhere compensability can be established, excusabltity cannot be assumed.

CWhere compensability cannot be established, excusability is a given.

DWhere compensability can be established, excusability is assumed.

Answer : D

Compensability and Excusability:

Excusable delays are those beyond the contractor's control, while compensable delays are excusable delays for which the owner bears responsibility.

If a delay is compensable, it inherently qualifies as excusable.

PSP Study Guide Reference:

The relationship between excusability and compensability is clarified in delay analysis discussions.

Conclusion: The correct answer is D, as compensability implies excusability.

AACE International Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) AACE-PSP Exam Practice Test