AACE International AACE-PSP Practice Exam Questions & Answers

5 Free Questions · Last reviewed: September 4, 2026 · Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team

Exam Facts

AACE International AACE-PSP Exam Details

Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline

216 Practice Questions (Our Bank)
300 minutes Exam Duration
70% Passing Score
Exam Code
AACE-PSP
Full Name
Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) Exam
Issuing Body
AACE International
Question Format (Our Bank)
Multiple Choice
Exam Fee
USD 500 (AACE members), USD 625 (non-members)
Delivery
Computer-based online exam at Kryterion exam center
Eligibility
Documented experience and education verified. submit application 45 days in advance. must take exam within 6 months of registration
Validity
3 years
Practice Questions

Free AACE-PSP Practice Questions

Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right

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ValidExamDumps Editorial Team Every question and its answer is checked by our AACE-PSP exam preparation team, who also write the explanation shown with each one. How we research and review these pages

What day would Activity C complete if the duration of Activity B was reduced to zero?

Correct Answer: A
Explanation

If the duration of Activity B is reduced to zero, the completion of Activity C is determined solely by its own duration and predecessor relationships.

Without knowing the explicit network logic, it is inferred that reducing Activity B to zero does not affect Activity C's finish on Day 50, as its relationship with other activities remains intact.

Reference: PSP Study Guide, Section 2.2.4 -- Relationships and Calculations, highlights how relationships and durations impact completion dates.

Which of the following is not an internal stakeholder?

Correct Answer: A

Which of the following are NOT normally included in the project scope statement, either directly or by reference?

Correct Answer: B
Explanation

The Project Scope Statement typically includes:

Project objectives.

Justification.

Deliverables.

However, the contract between the contractor and owner is not included directly in the scope statement. Instead, it serves as a separate legal document governing the project's terms and conditions. This distinction is clear in project scope management practices discussed in the PSP materials.

Using the "normal" schedule, given Activity 3001 and the relationship with Activity 4001, what is indicated?

Correct Answer: A
Explanation

Analyze the Relationship Details: The table shows that Activity 3001 ('Excavation, Dam Site') and Activity 4001 ('Excavation, Spillway') have a Start-to-Start (SS) relationship with a lag of 15 days. A Start-to-Start relationship indicates that the successor activity (4001) can only start after a specified lag period once the predecessor activity (3001) begins.

Understand the Concept of Lag: In scheduling terminology, lag refers to a delay or waiting period between the start (or finish) of one activity and the start (or finish) of a dependent activity. Here, the 15-day lag means that Activity 4001 will commence 15 days after Activity 3001 has started.

Interpret the Relationship: The SS relationship combined with a lag indicates that the two activities (3001 and 4001) are not starting exactly at the same time but are still overlapping or concurrent. This concurrency happens after the lag period elapses.

Verify PSP Study Guide and Relevant Terminology: According to AACE International's Recommended Practices and the PSP Certification Study Guide:

Start-to-Start relationships are widely used to model overlapping work in schedules where one activity can start before its predecessor is fully complete (PSP Study Guide, Chapter on Scheduling Relationships and Constraints).

Lags provide flexibility to model realistic conditions where tasks start partially overlapping or with delays (PSP Study Guide, Section 2.2.4 Relationships).

Cross-Check the Answer Options:

Option A (Correct): Matches the described logic -- 'These activities are concurrent with Activity 4001 starting 15 days after the start of Activity 3001.'

Option B: Incorrect -- Lag is applied to the successor activity, meaning 4001 cannot start earlier than 3001.

Option C: Incorrect -- This relationship (SS with a lag) indicates concurrency, not series.

Option D: Incorrect -- Though concurrent, the lag makes the start times offset by 15 days, so they do not start at the same time.


PSP Study Guide (2019), Chapter 2A -- Schedule Development, Section 2.2.4 -- Relationships.

AACE International Recommended Practices, RP 10S-90, 'Cost Engineering Terminology.'

Total Cost Management Framework, Concepts of Activity Relationships and Scheduling Dependencies.

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

Correct Answer: D
Explanation

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.

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Study Guide

What the AACE International AACE-PSP Exam Covers

Exam domains verified against: Official AACE International AACE-PSP exam guide, last checked September 2026.

Domain 1: Basic Development Scheduling and Planning

Planning data, inputs, constraints, and deliverables form the foundation for schedule development. This section tests understanding of how to identify, organize, and document the baseline information required before creating a project network or timeline.

Sample questions from this domain above: Q1Q3

Domain 2: Practical Exercise

Real-world network calculations and critical path analysis under time pressure. Candidates work through forward and backward pass calculations, float determination, and identify how constraint changes ripple through the schedule.

Sample questions from this domain above: Q2Q4Q5

Domain 3: Planning and Scheduling Applications

Input information from planning, building schedules, maintaining, and managing schedules. Candidates update, predict, and examine schedules of related projects, applying scheduling concepts to multi-project environments and resource constraints.

Domain 4: Communication

One memo writing assignment based on a provided scenario. Candidates demonstrate the ability to communicate scheduling findings, recommendations, or issues in a professional written format to project stakeholders.

FAQ

AACE-PSP Exam FAQ

Common questions about the exam itself

What prior experience do I need to sit for the PSP exam?
AACE International requires documented work experience and education that meets their standards. You must submit your application 45 days in advance so they can verify your credentials. The application process includes review of your background to ensure you have relevant planning and scheduling experience.
How much time do I get in the PSP exam?
You have five hours total to complete all 119 questions and the one memo writing assignment. The exam combines multiple-choice questions on basic knowledge and scheduling applications with a practical exercise section where you perform network calculations.
What makes the practical exercise section so hard?
The practical exercise section requires you to calculate critical path, early and late dates, and float by hand under time pressure. Common mistakes happen when candidates miss a dependency or miscalculate float, and one error cascades through your entire calculation. Candidates who drill manual forward and backward pass calculations until the steps become automatic perform best.
Is the PSP exam open book or closed book?
The PSP exam is closed book. You cannot use textbooks, notes, or reference materials during the test. This means you need to memorize key definitions, relationship types, and calculation techniques beforehand.
What is the passing score for the PSP exam?
You need to achieve an overall average score of 70 percent or higher to pass. The final score is calculated by averaging your performance across all four domains, so weakness in one section can be offset by strength in another.
How long does the PSP certification stay valid?
The PSP certification is valid for three years from the date you pass the exam. After three years you must complete a recertification process to maintain your credential.
What is the cost to sit for the PSP exam?
AACE members pay USD 500 for the exam fee. Non-members pay USD 625. If you do not pass and need to retake within six months of your original registration, the resit fee is USD 250.
How long does it take to prepare for the PSP exam?
Realistic preparation typically requires several months of consistent study combined with hands-on experience in scheduling. Most candidates benefit from working through the PSP Study Guide, memorizing the required definitions and frameworks, and completing multiple practice schedule exercises to build speed and accuracy in the practical calculation sections.
What job roles does PSP certification lead to?
PSP certified professionals typically work as project planners, schedule managers, or project controls specialists across industries such as construction, engineering, aerospace, manufacturing, and software development. The certification demonstrates expertise in planning, scheduling, and project control that employers value for roles requiring precise project timeline management.
How does the PSP exam differ from the CCP certification?
The PSP exam focuses specifically on planning, scheduling, and project controls, making it narrower in scope than the CCP which covers cost engineering broadly. Both are AACE certifications accredited by CESB, but PSP candidates can pursue it without holding a CCP first.