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100+ Free AACE CST Practice Questions

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Per AACE Canons of Ethics, a CST member should:

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Key Facts: AACE CST Exam

100

MCQ Questions

AACE International

3 hrs

Time Limit

AACE International

4 Domains

Input/Create/Maintain/Deliverables

AACE CST page

70%

Passing Score

AACE handbook

4 yrs

Experience OR Degree

AACE eligibility

100+

Free Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep question bank

The CST exam is a 3-hour, 100-question OPEN-BOOK multiple-choice test using only the AACE CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder. Four domains: Input & Data (19), Creating Schedule (48), Maintain Schedule (15), Input & Deliverables (18). Pass at 70% overall. Tests CPM (forward/backward pass, ES/EF/LS/LF), total and free float, PERT three-point estimating, network types (AON vs AOA, PDM relationships FS/SS/FF/SF, lag/lead), schedule compression (crashing, fast-tracking, resource leveling vs smoothing), progress measurement (0/100, 50/50, weighted milestones), EVM (CPI/SPI/EAC), schedule quality (DCMA 14-Point, BEI, CPLI), and delay analysis (windows, time impact analysis, concurrent delays). Certification is valid for 4 years and CANNOT be recertified - candidates must retake the CST or progress to the PSP.

Sample AACE CST Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AACE CST exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The AACE Certified Scheduling Technician (CST) is BEST described as:
A.A senior-level scheduling certification requiring 8 years of experience
B.AACE's entry-level technician credential for scheduling practitioners (open book, 100 questions, 3 hours)
C.A certification for cost estimators
D.A risk management certification
Explanation: The CST is AACE's entry-level technician credential for scheduling practitioners. Requirements are 4 years of industry-related experience OR a 4-year industry-related degree. The exam is open-book (CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder), 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, with a 70% passing score. The professional-level scheduling credential is the PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional).
2The Critical Path Method (CPM) computes the critical path as:
A.The shortest duration path through the network
B.The longest duration path through the network from start to finish, which determines the minimum project duration
C.Any path containing milestones
D.The path with the most resources
Explanation: The critical path is the LONGEST duration path through the network from project start to finish. Its length equals the minimum project duration. Activities on the critical path have zero total float (assuming no constraints). Any delay to a critical activity delays the project finish unless compensated by float elsewhere or by schedule compression.
3Total Float for an activity is calculated as:
A.Late Finish - Early Finish (equivalently Late Start - Early Start)
B.Early Finish - Early Start
C.Late Finish - Early Start
D.Activity Duration
Explanation: Total Float = LF - EF = LS - ES. It is the time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish (assuming a single network end and no imposed constraints). Activities with TF = 0 are on the critical path.
4Free Float is BEST defined as:
A.Time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish
B.Time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any immediate successor
C.Time saved by crashing
D.Time between successive milestones
Explanation: Free Float = time an activity can be delayed without delaying the EARLY START of any immediate successor. Total Float = time an activity can be delayed without delaying the PROJECT FINISH. FF <= TF for a given activity (often FF = 0 for activities not at a path merge).
5In a Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) schedule, the MOST common logical relationship is:
A.Finish-to-Start (FS)
B.Start-to-Start (SS)
C.Finish-to-Finish (FF)
D.Start-to-Finish (SF)
Explanation: Finish-to-Start (FS) is the most common precedence relationship: the successor cannot start until the predecessor finishes. SS, FF, and SF exist for special overlap or batch handoff cases. SF is rarely used and often signals a logic error in practice.
6A lag of FS+5 days between Activity A (predecessor) and Activity B (successor) means:
A.B starts 5 days BEFORE A finishes
B.B starts 5 days AFTER A finishes
C.B finishes 5 days before A
D.B and A run in parallel
Explanation: Lag is a required positive offset. FS+5 means B's early start is at least 5 days AFTER A's finish (e.g., concrete cure time, paint drying, settlement). Lead is the opposite (negative lag): FS-5 would allow B to start 5 days before A finishes (fast-tracking overlap).
7Activities A (3d), B (5d), C (2d) where A and B are both predecessors of C. What is the early start of C and the project duration?
A.ES(C) = 3, duration = 5
B.ES(C) = 5, duration = 7
C.ES(C) = 8, duration = 8
D.ES(C) = 0, duration = 5
Explanation: C must wait for BOTH A and B. Forward-pass rule: ES = max(EF of predecessors) = max(3, 5) = 5. C runs days 5-7. Project duration = 7 days. The forward pass takes the MAXIMUM EF for activities with multiple predecessors.
8PERT three-point expected duration uses which formula?
A.(O + M + P) / 3
B.(O + 4M + P) / 6
C.(O + 6M + P) / 8
D.(P - O) / 6
Explanation: PERT expected duration tE = (O + 4M + P)/6, where O = optimistic, M = most likely, P = pessimistic. The most likely is weighted 4x reflecting the Beta distribution peak. PERT standard deviation = (P - O)/6.
9Three critical-path activities have PERT standard deviations of 3, 4, and 12 days. Project completion standard deviation is approximately:
A.19 days
B.13 days
C.12 days
D.5 days
Explanation: Project variance = sum of variances on critical path = 3^2 + 4^2 + 12^2 = 9 + 16 + 144 = 169. Project sigma = sqrt(169) = 13 days. Variances ADD; standard deviations DO NOT add directly. Memorize this PERT rule.
10Schedule compression by performing activities in PARALLEL that were originally planned in sequence is called:
A.Crashing
B.Fast-tracking
C.Resource leveling
D.Float consumption
Explanation: Fast-tracking overlaps activities that were originally sequential, reducing project duration without necessarily increasing cost but INCREASING REWORK RISK (because downstream activities start before upstream ones finish, with the possibility of rework if upstream changes). Crashing adds resources to a critical activity, increasing cost.

About the AACE CST Exam

The AACE Certified Scheduling Technician (CST) is the entry-level technician credential for project scheduling practitioners. The exam is open-book (using only AACE's CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder), 100 multiple-choice questions, 3 hours, with a 70% passing score. Content covers four domains: Input & Data (19 questions), Creating Schedule (48 questions), Maintain Schedule (15 questions), and Input & Deliverables (18 questions). Eligible candidates have 4 years of industry-related experience OR a 4-year industry-related degree. Topics include CPM, PDM, PERT, AON vs AOA networks, float (total and free), schedule compression (crashing, fast-tracking), EVM, resource and cost loading, delay analysis, and schedule quality (DCMA 14-Point).

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions across four domains, open book using AACE's CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70% overall

Exam Fee

$260 AACE members / $390 non-members (AACE International)

AACE CST Exam Content Outline

19%

Input & Data

19 questions on schedule inputs: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), activity definition and duration estimation, calendars and shifts, resource and cost loading, rolling-wave planning, schedule levels (1/2/3/4), schedule basis documentation (AACE 38R-06), and AACE 32R-04 for duration estimating.

48%

Creating Schedule

48 questions on building schedules: Critical Path Method (CPM), Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) with FS/SS/FF/SF relationships, Activity-on-Node (AON) vs Activity-on-Arrow (AOA) networks, forward and backward pass calculations, total float (TF = LF - EF) and free float (FF), PERT three-point estimating (O+4M+P)/6 with sigma=(P-O)/6, lag and lead time, hard vs soft logic, hard and soft constraints, multiple critical paths, driving path analysis, schedule compression via crashing and fast-tracking, Critical Chain Method (CCM), and Line of Balance / Linear Scheduling for repetitive projects.

15%

Maintain Schedule

15 questions on updating schedules: status (data) date, recording actual start/finish and remaining duration, retained logic vs progress override options, out-of-sequence progress, baseline change requests, re-baselining discipline, EVM metrics (CPI = EV/AC, SPI = EV/PV, EAC = BAC/CPI, VAC, TCPI), 0/100 and 50/50 percent-complete techniques, Earned Schedule, schedule quality metrics (DCMA 14-Point including logic test, BEI, CPLI), delay analysis methods (As-Planned vs As-Built, Windows Analysis, Time Impact Analysis), fragnets, concurrent delays, and float consumption trending.

18%

Input & Deliverables

18 questions on deliverables: Gantt charts, network logic diagrams, tabular outputs, S-curves (planned, earned, actual), Schedule of Values (SOV), look-ahead schedules, schedule narratives, executive dashboards, and schedule review checklists for bid evaluation. Communication best practices: translating CPM detail to summary milestone reporting and red/yellow/green status.

How to Pass the AACE CST Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% overall
  • Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions across four domains, open book using AACE's CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $260 AACE members / $390 non-members

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AACE CST Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the four CST domains and their proportions: Input & Data (19 questions), Creating Schedule (48 questions - HALF the exam), Maintain Schedule (15 questions), Input & Deliverables (18 questions). Spend the most study time on Creating Schedule.
2The CST is OPEN BOOK with only the CST Primer and PSP Study Guide in a binder. Build tabs for: CPM forward/backward pass examples, total vs free float definitions, PERT formulas (mean=(O+4M+P)/6, sigma=(P-O)/6), EVM formula cheat sheet, schedule level definitions (Level 1-4), DCMA 14-Point metrics, and Canons of Ethics. Speed of lookup decides your pass.
3Drill CPM until automatic. Forward pass: ES = max(EF of predecessors); EF = ES + duration. Backward pass: LF = min(LS of successors); LS = LF - duration. Float: TF = LF - EF = LS - ES. Critical path = TF = 0 (no constraints). Free Float = ES(successor) - EF(activity).
4Memorize PERT cold: tE = (O + 4M + P)/6 expected mean; sigma = (P-O)/6 standard deviation; sigma^2 = variance. Critical path variance = SUM of variances; project sigma = sqrt(sum). Variances ADD; standard deviations DO NOT add directly.
5Memorize the four PDM logical relationships and their use cases: FS (most common, sequential), SS (parallel starts), FF (synchronized finishes), SF (rare, often error). Know how lags (FS+3) create gaps and leads (FS-3) create overlaps. Excessive lags/leads are DCMA quality flags.
6Schedule compression: CRASHING adds resources to a critical activity (increases cost) - only critical path compression reduces project duration. FAST-TRACKING overlaps activities (increases risk of rework). Resource LEVELING may extend the project; resource SMOOTHING stays within float.
7EVM formulas to know cold: CPI = EV/AC; SPI = EV/PV; CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; EAC (typical) = BAC/CPI; EAC (cost and schedule) = AC + (BAC-EV)/(CPI x SPI); TCPI(BAC) = (BAC-EV)/(BAC-AC). EV always on top.
8DCMA 14-Point assessment (key tests): Logic (orphan activities), Leads, Lags, FS relationships, Hard Constraints, High Float, Negative Float, High Duration (> 44 days), Invalid Dates, Resources/Cost, Missed Tasks, Critical Path Test, Critical Path Length Index (CPLI), Baseline Execution Index (BEI).
9Delay analysis methods to recognize: As-Planned vs As-Built (simple, retrospective), Time Impact Analysis (TIA, contemporaneous, uses fragnets), Windows Analysis (period-by-period contemporaneous), Collapsed As-Built (retrospective). Contemporaneous methods are more defensible than retrospective ones (per AACE 29R-03).
10Schedule mock exams in actual 3-hour blocks, using only the binder you plan to bring. If lookups take more than 30 seconds, retab. Most CST failures are timing failures, not knowledge failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AACE CST certification?

The Certified Scheduling Technician (CST) is AACE International's entry-level technician credential for project scheduling practitioners. It validates foundational knowledge of CPM, PDM, PERT, float, schedule compression, EVM, and schedule quality. Eligibility requires 4 years of industry-related experience OR a 4-year industry-related degree.

What are the CST eligibility requirements?

Candidates need either 4 years of industry-related experience OR a 4-year industry-related degree. They must also adhere to AACE's Canons of Ethics and submit a completed application. No technical paper is required (unlike the senior-level PSP).

How is the CST exam structured?

The CST exam is a 3-hour open-book computer-based test of 100 multiple-choice questions across four domains: Input & Data (19 questions), Creating Schedule (48 questions), Maintain Schedule (15 questions), and Input & Deliverables (18 questions). The only references allowed in the exam room are the AACE CST Primer and PSP Study Guide, in a binder.

What is the CST passing score?

AACE requires an overall score of 70% or higher to pass the CST exam. All four domains contribute to the overall score, and a battery-operated calculator is permitted (candidate-provided, not supplied by the testing center).

How much does the CST exam cost?

The CST application/exam fee is $260 for AACE members and $390 for non-members. A resit fee of $185 applies if you need to retake. All fees are non-refundable and due upon application. AACE membership is optional for certification but reduces the exam fee. Costs are subject to change; verify on aacei.org.

How does the CST differ from the AACE PSP?

The CST is the entry-level technician credential (open-book, 100 questions, 3 hours, no technical paper); the PSP is the senior-level Planning & Scheduling Professional credential (closed-book, 120 questions, 5 hours, with a technical paper). The CST covers the same scheduling topics at a foundational level and serves as a stepping stone toward the PSP.

How long should I study for the CST?

Most candidates dedicate 60-120 hours over 2-4 months. Primary study resources are the AACE CST Primer (must-have for the exam room) and PSP Study Guide. Practice questions covering CPM forward/backward pass, total and free float, PERT, lag and lead, EVM (CPI/SPI/EAC), and schedule quality (DCMA 14-Point) are essential.

How do I maintain the CST certification?

CST certification is valid for 4 years and IS NOT eligible for recertification through continuing education credits. To maintain credentials beyond 4 years, candidates must either retake the CST exam or advance to the professional-level PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional) before the CST expires.