Question bank
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner
41 PMI Agile Certified Practitioner questions with the correct answer and a written explanation, organised across 4 exam domains.
- 41 questions
- 4 domains
- Foundation level
certilumQuestion index
Jump straight to any question. Answers and explanations are inline.
Delivery
11 questions in this domain
- Question 1Single Choice
In Scrum iteration planning, what is the commonly accepted duration range for a fixed-length sprint?
- A1 to 2 weeks
- B2 to 4 weeksCorrect answer
- C4 to 6 weeks
- DFixed by calendar quarter
Why this is the answer
Scrum sprints are typically time-boxed from two to four weeks, providing a steady cadence for delivering inspectable increments.
- Question 2Multiple Select
Which of the following are engineering practices associated with Extreme Programming (XP)?
- ATest-Driven DevelopmentCorrect answer
- BPair programmingCorrect answer
- CContinuous integrationCorrect answer
- DDaily stand-up meeting
Why this is the answer
XP includes TDD, pair programming, and continuous integration to improve quality. Daily stand-up is a Scrum ceremony, not an XP engineering practice.
- Question 3Interactive
In the provided workflow table, what is the maximum number of items permitted in the Testing state?
- A1
- B2Correct answer
- C3
- DNone
Why this is the answer
The table sets the Testing state WIP limit to two, meaning no more than two items may be in testing at once.
- Question 4Single Choice
In the Kanban method, what is the primary focus of delivery flow management and workflow design?
- ALimiting work in progress and optimizing flowCorrect answer
- BEnforcing two-week fixed iterations
- CEstablishing a change control board
- DAssigning personal output quotas
Why this is the answer
Kanban centers on WIP limits and continuous flow rather than time-boxed sprints or top-down task allocation.
- Question 5Multiple Select
In agile estimation, which of the following statements about the nature of story points are true?
- AThey are dimensionless relative measurementsCorrect answer
- BThey express complexity, volume, and uncertaintyCorrect answer
- CThey should only be compared within the same teamCorrect answer
- DThey can be converted to fixed hourly values
Why this is the answer
Story points are relative, dimensionless measures of effort and complexity; they are not tied to hours and cannot be compared across teams.
- Question 6Interactive
Using the velocity data shown, what is the team's average number of completed story points per sprint over all three sprints?
- A20
- B22Correct answer
- C24
- D66
Why this is the answer
The velocities are 20, 24, and 22; their average is 22 story points per sprint.
- Question 7Single Choice
In Kanban and flow-based agile systems, what does cycle time actually measure from work start to completion?
- ACustomer request to delivery
- BActive work start to completionCorrect answer
- CSprint start to sprint end
- DBacklog creation to estimation
Why this is the answer
Cycle time starts when active development begins and ends when the item is completed and ready for delivery.
- Question 8Multiple Select
In agile workflow management, which of the following statements correctly apply Little's Law principles to team delivery?
- AIncreased WIP with same throughput increases cycle timeCorrect answer
- BAverage WIP equals throughput multiplied by cycle timeCorrect answer
- CReducing WIP can lower cycle timeCorrect answer
- DIncreasing WIP always improves throughput
Why this is the answer
Little's Law links WIP, throughput, and cycle time: more WIP generally means longer cycle times, while less WIP can speed flow.
- Question 9Interactive
Based on the state counts shown in the workflow table, which state is most likely creating a delivery bottleneck?
- ATo Do
- BIn Progress
- CTestingCorrect answer
- DDone
Why this is the answer
Testing holds 12 items, the highest count among active states, indicating work is piling up there.
- Question 10Single Choice
In Scrum and agile capacity planning, how should velocity primarily be used by the delivery team to plan future work?
- AInternal capacity planning and forecastingCorrect answer
- BComparing productivity across teams
- CEvaluating individual developer performance
- DCalculating earned value for stakeholders
Why this is the answer
Velocity is a lagging indicator used by the same team to forecast capacity; it should never be used cross-team or for performance appraisal.
- Question 11Multiple Select
Which of the following are recognized agile estimation techniques commonly used by product delivery teams?
- APlanning pokerCorrect answer
- BAffinity mappingCorrect answer
- CStory pointsCorrect answer
- DDetailed earned value analysis
Why this is the answer
Agile estimation relies on planning poker, affinity mapping, and story points; earned value is a traditional project management technique.
Leadership
10 questions in this domain
- Question 12Single Choice
What is a self-organizing team?
- AThe team determines its own path to accomplish work without micro-managementCorrect answer
- BThe team receives tasks and instructions from the project manager
- CThe team must obtain manager approval for every operational decision
- DThe team only focuses on technical execution while management handles planning
Why this is the answer
Self-organizing teams autonomously decide who does what and how tasks are executed, fostering accountability and velocity.
- Question 13Multiple Select
Which behaviors reflect servant leadership?
- ARemoving impediments to team progressCorrect answer
- BCoaching team members through open-ended questionsCorrect answer
- CShielding the team from external distractionsCorrect answer
- DAssigning tasks and dictating technical solutions
Why this is the answer
Servant leaders serve and empower teams by clearing blockers, coaching, and facilitating growth instead of commanding tasks.
- Question 14Interactive
Analyze the team situation in the code block. Which Tuckman stage is represented?
- AFormingCorrect answer
- BStorming
- CNorming
- DPerforming
Why this is the answer
Forming is characterized by polite behavior, unclear roles, and dependence on leadership guidance.
- Question 15Single Choice
Which statement best describes psychological safety?
- AA shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-takingCorrect answer
- BA guarantee that no technical failures will occur
- CA practice of physically securing project information
- DA process of removing all conflict from daily work
Why this is the answer
Psychological safety enables members to express mistakes, dissent, and ideas without fear of negative consequences.
- Question 16Multiple Select
Which are stages in Tuckman's model of group development?
- AFormingCorrect answer
- BStormingCorrect answer
- CPrescriptive
- DAdjourningCorrect answer
Why this is the answer
Tuckman's stages are Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning. Prescriptive is not one of them.
- Question 17Interactive
Based on the statement in the code block, which agile principle is being violated?
- ASelf-organizationCorrect answer
- BIncremental delivery
- CInformation radiator
- DContinuous integration
Why this is the answer
Assigning tasks and dictating solutions undermines team self-organization, a core agile principle.
- Question 18Single Choice
What is coaching in an agile context?
- AUsing powerful questions and active listening to help individuals discover their own solutionsCorrect answer
- BProviding direct instructions for completing tasks
- CEvaluating team performance for compensation decisions
- DManaging the day-to-day work of the team
Why this is the answer
Coaching is non-directive: it unlocks a person's potential through inquiry rather than giving answers.
- Question 19Multiple Select
Which actions describe neutral facilitation?
- AManaging the discussion process without pushing a solutionCorrect answer
- BEnsuring balanced participationCorrect answer
- CUsing consensus techniques such as dot votingCorrect answer
- DSharing personal opinions about technical choices
Why this is the answer
Facilitators remain content-neutral, focus on process and participation, and help groups reach their own decisions.
- Question 20Interactive
Based on the code block, which agile technique is being applied?
- AMentoringCorrect answer
- BCoaching
- CFacilitation
- DCommand and control
Why this is the answer
Mentoring is directive and advisory, sharing experience and specific expertise with a less experienced colleague.
- Question 21Single Choice
What is the primary responsibility of the Product Owner in stakeholder engagement?
- APrioritizing the backlog and defining acceptance criteriaCorrect answer
- BAssigning tasks to the development team
- CRemoving technical impediments from the infrastructure
- DWriting all project documentation and reports
Why this is the answer
The Product Owner manages stakeholder expectations and backlog priorities, while the team owns implementation.
Mindset
12 questions in this domain
- Question 22Single Choice
Which Agile Manifesto value emphasizes people and collaboration over tools?
- AIndividuals and interactions over processes and toolsCorrect answer
- BWorking software over comprehensive documentation
- CCustomer collaboration over contract negotiation
- DResponding to change over following a plan
Why this is the answer
The first Agile Manifesto value prioritizes individuals and interactions over processes and tools, placing people at the center.
- Question 23Multiple Select
Which two behaviors reflect the Agile value of responding to change over following a plan?
- AAdjusting the backlog when customer priorities shiftCorrect answer
- BFreezing the baseline after approval
- CPivoting based on market feedbackCorrect answer
- DEscalating changes to the change control board only
Why this is the answer
Agile teams embrace emergent requirements and market shifts, reprioritizing work collaboratively rather than enforcing frozen plans.
- Question 24Interactive
Based on the scenario shown in the code block, which Agile Manifesto value is the practitioner applying?
- AResponding to change over following a planCorrect answer
- BComprehensive documentation over working software
- CContract negotiation over customer collaboration
- DFollowing a plan over responding to change
Why this is the answer
The practitioner responds to the market shift by collaborating with the customer to reprioritize, embodying the value of responding to change.
- Question 25Single Choice
What does working software over comprehensive documentation mean in practice?
- ADeliver functional increments instead of exhaustive docsCorrect answer
- BWrite all specifications before starting code
- CAvoid creating any documentation at all
- DDocument every feature before development
Why this is the answer
This value prioritizes functional delivery, though documentation remains useful, and avoids treating documents as the primary progress measure.
- Question 26Multiple Select
Which two actions demonstrate servant leadership?
- ARemove impediments blocking team progressCorrect answer
- BEmpower the team to self-organizeCorrect answer
- CAssign every task to a specific developer
- DPenalize team members for missed goals
Why this is the answer
Servant leaders clear blockers, empower autonomy, and avoid command-and-control behaviors such as task assignment or punishment.
- Question 27Interactive
Based on the code block, which agile principle is the leader violating?
- ACustomer collaboration
- BSustainable development
- CTeam self-organizationCorrect answer
- DWorking software
Why this is the answer
Assigning tasks and controlling reviews is command-and-control behavior; agile leaders enable self-organizing teams.
- Question 28Single Choice
Which factor best defines a culture of trust and continuous improvement?
- APsychological safetyCorrect answer
- BMandatory compliance
- CStrict hierarchy
- DFixed processes
Why this is the answer
Psychological safety enables openness, honest retrospectives, and experimentation, underpinning continuous improvement.
- Question 29Multiple Select
Which two practices help cultivate psychological safety?
- ABlameless post-mortemsCorrect answer
- BEncouraging dissenting opinionsCorrect answer
- CPublicly punishing mistakes
- DRequiring unanimous agreement
Why this is the answer
Blameless reviews and openness to dissent reduce fear and allow teams to learn from failure.
- Question 30Interactive
Based on the code block, what should the agile coach do first?
- AInstitute a blameless problem-solving exerciseCorrect answer
- BForce the lead architect to apologize
- CEnd the retrospective early
- DEscalate to senior management
Why this is the answer
The coach should reset context and use blameless facilitation to normalize failure and rebuild psychological safety.
- Question 31Single Choice
In complex, uncertain environments, what should agile teams rely on?
- AEmpirical process controlCorrect answer
- BFixed upfront requirements
- CCommand-and-control decisions
- DComprehensive phase-gate planning
Why this is the answer
Empirical process control relies on transparency, inspection, and adaptation, ideal for volatile environments.
- Question 32Multiple Select
Which three practices support adaptation in uncertain environments?
- ATimeboxed spike solutionsCorrect answer
- BFrequent customer feedback loopsCorrect answer
- CDecentralized decision-makingCorrect answer
- DFreezing the product backlog
Why this is the answer
Spikes, feedback loops, and decentralized decisions help teams learn, pivot, and respond quickly to uncertainty.
- Question 33Interactive
Based on the code block, what is the most agile response?
- AConvene an ad-hoc refinement session with the product ownerCorrect answer
- BSubmit a formal change request and wait
- CContinue building without changes
- DStop all work until the plan is updated
Why this is the answer
Agile teams adapt by collaboratively reprioritizing the backlog with the product owner and stakeholders.
Product
8 questions in this domain
- Question 34Single Choice
What does the product vision define in the PMI-ACP framework?
- AThe ultimate goal, audience, and value propositionCorrect answer
- BA detailed functional specification document
- CA fixed project schedule with milestones
- DA testing checklist for all user stories
Why this is the answer
The product vision is a concise, inspiring statement of the product's ultimate purpose and value.
- Question 35Multiple Select
Select two statements that correctly describe the product roadmap.
- AA high-level timeline of themes, epics, and milestonesCorrect answer
- BRemains flexible and outcome-focusedCorrect answer
- CA binding commitment of fixed features and dates
- DReplaces the product backlog with a project plan
Why this is the answer
A roadmap provides strategic direction but remains dynamic and responsive to feedback.
- Question 36Interactive
The query shown classifies backlog items into four priority categories. Which prioritization framework does it implement?
- AMoSCoWCorrect answer
- BKano Model
- CCost of Delay
- DValue Stream Mapping
Why this is the answer
MoSCoW categorizes items into Must have, Should have, Could have, and Will not have.
- Question 37Single Choice
Which statement best defines the Definition of Done in agile?
- AA shared quality checklist for all completed workCorrect answer
- BA list of features for the next release
- CA stakeholder approval document
- DA financial prioritization metric
Why this is the answer
DoD is a team-wide, transparent checklist that defines when an increment is potentially releasable.
- Question 38Multiple Select
Select two characteristics of an agile release strategy.
- ABalances time-to-market, risk, and customer readinessCorrect answer
- BDelivers value in short, frequent incrementsCorrect answer
- CFreezes features and dates for the whole project
- DDefers customer feedback until final delivery
Why this is the answer
Release strategy should balance time-to-market, risk, and readiness while delivering value incrementally.
- Question 39Interactive
The excerpt groups features by their effect on customer satisfaction. Which prioritization model is shown?
- AKano ModelCorrect answer
- BMoSCoW
- CCost of Delay
- DROI analysis
Why this is the answer
The Kano Model categorizes customer preferences as Must-be, One-dimensional, Attractive, and Indifferent qualities.
- Question 40Single Choice
What is a Minimum Viable Product in the PMI-ACP framework?
- AThe smallest increment that enables validated learningCorrect answer
- BThe full product with all planned features
- CA low-fidelity prototype for internal review
- DA document describing all future features
Why this is the answer
An MVP is the smallest possible product increment built to gather validated customer learning with least effort.
- Question 41Multiple Select
Select two common traps in product vision and roadmap management.
- ATreating the roadmap as a fixed scheduleCorrect answer
- BConfusing vision with detailed requirementsCorrect answer
- CAdapting roadmap based on market feedback
- DUsing MVP to gather validated learning
Why this is the answer
Roadmaps should remain flexible, and vision statements should not be mistaken for detailed specifications.
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