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100+ Free GSC Project Manager Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GSC Project Manager Exam

180

Exam Questions

Canadian Construction Association

3.5 hours

Exam Duration

Canadian Construction Association

70%

Passing Score

Canadian Construction Association

$490

Enrolment Fee

Canadian Construction Association

$115

Application Fee

Canadian Construction Association

$150

Exam Fee

Canadian Construction Association

Prepare for the CCA Gold Seal Certified Project Manager exam. The exam features 180 multiple-choice questions, has a 3.5-hour time limit, requires a passing score of 70%, and costs $755 total in fees (excluding HST). It tests project financials, CCDC contracts, scheduling, risk management, and ethics.

Sample GSC Project Manager Practice Questions

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

1Under provincial builders' lien legislation in Canada, what is the primary purpose of the statutory holdback?
A.To create a fund from which subcontractors and suppliers can claim a lien if they are unpaid, protecting the owner from double-payment.
B.To penalize the general contractor for delays in reaching substantial performance.
C.To finance the final punch-list and deficiency work at the end of the project.
D.To pay for the cost of wrap-up liability insurance and performance bonding.
Explanation: The statutory holdback (typically 10%) is mandated by provincial lien acts to establish a trust fund that protects subcontractors and suppliers who have provided labor or materials to the project. It also protects the owner, limiting their liability to the holdback amount if a subcontractor files a lien for non-payment by the general contractor.
2What does 'overbilling' (billing in excess of costs and estimated earnings) represent on a contractor's balance sheet?
A.A current liability, representing deferred revenue for work not yet performed.
B.A current asset, representing unbilled revenue earned on the project.
C.A long-term liability, indicating project contingency.
D.A direct addition to net profit for the current fiscal period.
Explanation: Overbilling occurs when a contractor bills the client for more than the work physically performed and costs incurred. In construction accounting (WIP reporting), this represents deferred revenue and is classified as a current liability because the contractor owes that work to the client.
3Under CCDC 2 (2020), what document must the Contractor submit to the Consultant at least 15 calendar days before the first application for payment?
A.A Schedule of Values, detailing the breakdown of the Contract Price.
B.The first statutory declaration (CCDC 9A).
C.The final list of subcontractors and their trade agreements.
D.A detailed cash flow curve showing projected monthly billings.
Explanation: CCDC 2 (2020) Clause 5.2.4 requires the Contractor to submit a Schedule of Values at least 15 calendar days before the first application for payment. This breakdown of the Contract Price is used by the Consultant as the basis for certifying progress payments.
4A project has a Budget at Completion (BAC) of $1,200,000. Currently, the Earned Value (EV) is $400,000, and the Actual Cost (AC) is $500,000. If the remaining work is expected to be performed at the budgeted rate, what is the Estimate at Completion (EAC)?
A.$1,300,000
B.$1,500,000
C.$1,100,000
D.$1,400,000
Explanation: EAC = AC + (BAC - EV). Here, AC is $500,000, BAC is $1,200,000, and EV is $400,000. Therefore, EAC = $500,000 + ($1,200,000 - $400,000) = $500,000 + $800,000 = $1,300,000.
5If a project shows 'underbilling' (costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings), what is the most likely cause?
A.Unapproved change orders where work has been performed but cannot yet be billed.
B.A front-loaded Schedule of Values that has been heavily billed.
C.Delay in procuring major equipment that was budgeted early in the project.
D.Subcontractors billing ahead of their actual physical progress.
Explanation: Underbilling indicates that the contractor has incurred costs and recognized earned revenue on the project, but has not yet billed the client. A common cause is performing work on unapproved or unpriced change orders where direct costs are recorded, but no billing can take place under the contract until a Change Order is signed.
6Which of the following best describes the shape and meaning of a typical project cumulative cash flow curve (S-Curve)?
A.Slow expenditures in the initial phases, rapid mobilization and peak resource utilization in the middle, and tapering expenditures at closeout.
B.Exponentially increasing expenditures that peak exactly at substantial performance.
C.Linear progression of cost throughout the project lifecycle.
D.High initial cash outflow during pre-construction, followed by a flat line during execution.
Explanation: The cumulative cash flow curve of a project typically resembles an 'S' shape. It reflects slow spending during early planning and setup, followed by a steep slope of high spending during the peak of construction execution, and flattens out as the project nears completion and goes through closeout.
7Under CCDC 2, if a Change Order involves both additions and deletions to the Work, how is the Contractor's markup for overhead and profit calculated?
A.Markup is only allowed on the net increase in the Contract Price, if any.
B.Markup is applied to both the additions and the deletions separately.
C.No markup is allowed on Change Orders unless it exceeds 10% of the original Contract Price.
D.Markup is applied to the gross additions, and no reduction is made for the deletions.
Explanation: Under CCDC 2 (2020) and standard supplementary conditions, when a change includes both additions and deletions, the Contractor's markup for overhead and profit is calculated based on the net increase in the Contract Price, if any. If there is a net decrease, the Contract Price is reduced by the net cost change, without deducting the contractor's overhead and profit.
8A construction project is 6 months into a 12-month schedule. The cumulative Actual Cost (AC) is $850,000, Planned Value (PV) is $900,000, and Earned Value (EV) is $780,000. If the current cost efficiency is expected to continue for the remainder of the project, what is the Estimate at Completion (EAC) given a BAC of $1,800,000?
A.$1,961,538
B.$1,870,000
C.$2,076,923
D.$1,720,000
Explanation: Cost Performance Index (CPI) = EV / AC = $780,000 / $850,000 = 0.9176. Since the current efficiency is expected to continue, EAC = BAC / CPI = $1,800,000 / 0.917647 = $1,961,538.
9How can a Project Manager best optimize project cash flow without compromising relations with subcontractors or violating CCDC 2 terms?
A.Accurately align the Schedule of Values with mobilization costs and ensure timely submittal of billings and progress claims.
B.Intentionally delay payment to subcontractors beyond the contractually agreed-upon timeframes.
C.Heavily front-load the Schedule of Values by inflating closeout activity values.
D.Request the owner to waive the statutory holdback requirement in the first month.
Explanation: Optimizing cash flow ethically involves ensuring that the Schedule of Values reflects early mobilization costs (such as site setup, safety systems, and submittals) so that early expenditures are covered, and implementing efficient invoicing processes. Late billing or poor breakdown setup leads to negative cash flow.
10Under the Construction Act in Ontario, when can holdback be released to a subcontractor whose subcontract is certified complete prior to substantial performance of the entire project?
A.Following the expiration of the lien period after the subcontract is certified complete, provided no liens have been preserved.
B.Only after the entire project reaches substantial performance and its lien period expires.
C.Once the subcontractor completes 50% of their scope of work, without waiting for certification.
D.Within 30 days of the subcontractor submitting their final invoice, regardless of certification.
Explanation: Under Section 25 of the Ontario Construction Act, where a subcontract has been certified complete under Section 33, a payer may release the holdback for that subcontract on an interim basis. Once the subcontract is certified complete and the statutory lien period (60 days) following that certification has expired without any liens being preserved, the contractor can release the holdback to that subcontractor without jeopardy.

About the GSC Project Manager Exam

The Gold Seal Certified (GSC) Project Manager credential is Canada's recognized standard of excellence for construction project management professionals. It verifies the candidate's professional capacity to manage project budgets, cash flow, CCDC contracts, scheduling, risks, and health & safety compliance, while adhering to the CCA Code of Ethics.

Assessment

180 multiple-choice questions (CBT, closed book)

Time Limit

3.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

CAD $150 exam fee (2026). Path typically CAD $490 enrollment + $115 GSC application + $150 exam registration (+ applicable taxes). (Canadian Construction Association (CCA))

GSC Project Manager Exam Content Outline

25%

Project Financials & Cost Control

Budgeting, cash flow forecasting, progress billing, cost tracking, forecasting (EAC/ETC), change order valuation, and financial reporting.

20%

CCDC Contracts & Project Execution

Administration of CCDC 2, 5A, 5B, 14, 30, and CCA 1 contracts; roles of Owner, Consultant, and Contractor; closeout documentation.

20%

Risk Management & Legal/Regulatory Compliance

Hazard assessments, safety regulations (OHS), insurance policies, construction bonding, and Builders' Liens/Construction Acts.

20%

Scheduling & Planning

Critical Path Method (CPM), total and free float, schedule crashing, sequencing, and excusable vs. compensable delay claims.

15%

Dispute Resolution & Ethical Decision-Making

Negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation, CCA code of ethics, conflicts of interest, and honest reporting.

How to Pass the GSC Project Manager Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 180 multiple-choice questions (CBT, closed book)
  • Time limit: 3.5 hours
  • Exam fee: CAD $150 exam fee (2026). Path typically CAD $490 enrollment + $115 GSC application + $150 exam registration (+ applicable taxes).

Keys to Passing

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

GSC Project Manager Study Tips from Top Performers

1Familiarize yourself with CCDC 2 (2020) clauses, especially relating to change management, payments, and dispute resolution.
2Understand the differences between CCDC 5A and 5B Construction Management contracts.
3Practice Earned Value Management calculations (EAC, ETC, CPI, SPI) and understand how they apply to construction forecasting.
4Review builders' lien legislation for your province, particularly around the duration of lien rights and holdback release rules.
5Understand schedule analysis: differentiate between total float and free float, and know the legal definitions of excusable and compensable delays.
6Review the CCA Code of Ethics and know how to apply them to ethical scenarios on the job site.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the Gold Seal Project Manager exam?

The passing score for the Gold Seal Certified (GSC) Project Manager exam is 70%. All questions are multiple-choice, and marks are provided immediately upon completion.

How many questions are on the GSC Project Manager exam, and how long is it?

The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are given 3.5 hours (210 minutes) to complete the test, which is administered online with secure live proctoring.

What are the fees for Gold Seal Certification Project Manager?

As of the 2026 guidelines, the application fee is $115, the enrolment fee is $490, and the exam fee is $150 (plus applicable taxes). All fees are non-refundable.

Are there any prerequisites to write the GSC Project Manager exam?

Yes. Candidates must demonstrate at least 5 years (50 credits) of project management experience, with a minimum of 3 years working in Canada. Candidates must also complete mandatory safety, construction law, and project management courses to achieve a total of 100 GSC credits.

What topics are tested on the Gold Seal Project Manager exam?

The exam covers five core domains: Project Financials (25%), CCDC Contracts (20%), Risk Management & Legal (20%), Scheduling & Planning (20%), and Dispute Resolution & Ethics (15%).

Is the GSC Project Manager exam open book?

No. The exam is a closed-book, computer-based test written under secure online proctoring conditions from your home or office.