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The PCEA exam has 60 questions and runs 2 hours.
These 10 free PCEA questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Both the hardware estimate and the software estimate contain an allowance titled 'integration testing,' but neither describes the tests covered. Before rolling these estimates into the project total, what should the estimator do?
Correct answer: D - Reconcile test scope and assign each activity once in the work breakdown structure dictionary.
A contractor has installed 60 of 200 identical communications cabinets. Costs for the last 40 installations are verified, startup costs are recorded separately, and recurring unit costs have stabilized. The remaining installations will use the same methods and staffing under comparable site conditions. A revised forecast is due tomorrow. Which estimating basis makes best use of this evidence?
Correct answer: A - Project the recent recurring cost per installation over the remaining quantity.
Two factories report costs for identical assemblies in the same dollar year. Factory A includes one-time tooling; Factory B reports recurring production only. Both can separately identify tooling and production quantities. Before combining their records to estimate recurring unit production cost, the analyst should:
Correct answer: C - Separate tooling, then normalize both datasets to recurring cost per unit.
Completed procurements of the same equipment, quantity, and scope cost $480,000 in 2022 and $600,000 in 2025. The applicable price index is 120 for 2022 and 150 for 2025. For a comparison in constant 2022 dollars, how should the 2025 procurement be reported?
Correct answer: B - $480,000, indicating no real cost change.
On an 80% unit learning curve, the fourth assembly requires 250 labor-hours. Production methods remain unchanged. What labor allowance applies to the eighth assembly alone?
Correct answer: C - 200 labor-hours
A cost-versus-mass regression has residuals centered near zero, without curvature. Residual spread increases markedly as predicted cost rises. This is most direct evidence against the assumption of:
Correct answer: A - Constant error variance across predicted costs
A supplier delay keeps an integration crew idle and extends the lease of required test equipment. Both costs depend on the same delay duration. A simulation currently samples one delay for the crew and an independent delay for the equipment. Which change best represents the exposure?
Correct answer: C - Sample one common delay duration, then calculate the crew and equipment costs for that trial.
Two six-person software teams work in two-week iterations. Team A completes 40 story points per iteration and Team B completes 25, using independently established sizing conventions. A portfolio manager calls Team A more productive. Which approach would make that productivity comparison defensible?
Correct answer: B - Use a common measure of delivered functionality and comparable effort data, rather than comparing team-local points.
At a monthly review, a project's cumulative cost performance index (CPI) is 0.88 and its schedule performance index (SPI) is 1.10. Both indices cover the same scope and status date. The manager announces, 'We are under budget and will finish early.' What do these indices actually support?
Correct answer: D - Cost efficiency is unfavorable, and more budgeted work is complete than planned.
A hazardous-process facility upgrade exceeds its affordability target. Engineers confirm that two redesigns meet the mandatory emergency-shutdown requirement; a cheaper third does not. The compliant redesigns have different acquisition and maintenance costs. Which recommendation belongs in the cost review?
Correct answer: B - Compare the compliant designs on life-cycle cost; retain the shutdown requirement when addressing any affordability gap.
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