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Free CPCM Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CPCM practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

A program manager pushes a senior contracting officer to award a sole-source modification on Friday afternoon to use up expiring funds, citing 'urgent agency need.' The CO believes the action lacks adequate justification. Which response BEST reflects effective contract-management leadership?

  1. Sign the modification because the program manager has greater seniority on the program
  2. Decline to sign and document a written objection citing FAR Part 6 competition rules
  3. Defer the decision to next Monday so others can review the action and decide instead
  4. Quietly delegate the signature to a junior CO without warrant authority for that value
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Decline to sign and document a written objection citing FAR Part 6 competition rules

Question 2

On a contract with BCWS = $1,000,000, BCWP = $800,000, and ACWP = $1,000,000, the project's Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) indicate that the project is:

  1. On budget and on schedule (CPI = 1.0, SPI = 1.0)
  2. Over budget but ahead of schedule (CPI = 0.8, SPI = 1.25)
  3. Over budget and behind schedule (CPI = 0.8, SPI = 0.8)
  4. Under budget and on schedule (CPI = 1.25, SPI = 1.0)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Over budget and behind schedule (CPI = 0.8, SPI = 0.8)

Question 3

A program manager (no warrant) verbally directs a contractor to perform additional work outside the contract's scope. The contractor performs the work and later seeks payment. Which doctrine MOST DIRECTLY governs whether the Government is bound to pay?

  1. The Christian Doctrine reads mandatory clauses into the contract by operation of law here
  2. Apparent authority binds the Government when contractor relied in good faith on it as well
  3. Federal Crop Insurance v. Merrill: apparent authority cannot bind the Federal Government
  4. The Severin Doctrine bars pass-through claims from a subcontractor through the prime alone
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Federal Crop Insurance v. Merrill: apparent authority cannot bind the Federal Government

Question 4

A contractor that helped the agency draft the technical requirements for a new system now wants to bid on the integration contract. Under FAR 9.5, which type of organizational conflict of interest does this present, and what is the CO's PRIMARY obligation?

  1. Unequal access to information; the CO should disqualify the contractor immediately
  2. Impaired objectivity; the CO should refer the matter to the Inspector General office
  3. Personal conflict of interest; the CO should require employee recusal alone here
  4. Biased ground rules; the CO should avoid, neutralize, or mitigate the conflict
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Biased ground rules; the CO should avoid, neutralize, or mitigate the conflict

Question 5

Under the Limitation on Subcontracting clause (FAR 52.219-14), a small business prime on a SERVICES contract set aside for small business must perform what percentage of the work with its own employees, and how is compliance measured?

  1. At least 50%, measured against amounts paid to non-similarly-situated subcontractors
  2. At least 51%, measured against the total contract price after award amount is set out
  3. At least 75%, measured against amounts paid to all subcontractors at any tier of work
  4. At least 85%, measured against the total contract value during performance period only
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - At least 50%, measured against amounts paid to non-similarly-situated subcontractors

Question 6

Under the FY 2019 NDAA restrictions implemented in FAR 15.101-2, a DoD agency is generally PROHIBITED from using LPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable) source selection for which type of acquisition?

  1. Routine commodity purchases below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold here
  2. Construction contracts where specifications are completely defined upfront
  3. Complex IT, engineering, and knowledge-based professional services work
  4. Sealed-bid acquisitions of standard commercial supplies above the SAT here
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Complex IT, engineering, and knowledge-based professional services work

Question 7

Under the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data statute (formerly TINA), as updated by FAC 2025-06, certified cost or pricing data is generally REQUIRED at what threshold, and which is a recognized EXEMPTION?

  1. $2 million; exemption applies only when the contractor is a small business firm
  2. $2.5 million; exemption when there is adequate price competition received
  3. $5 million; exemption only when the contract is sealed-bid construction work
  4. $750,000 (historic); exemption only when the contractor is foreign-owned firm
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - $2.5 million; exemption when there is adequate price competition received

Question 8

An agency must award a contract for R&D where requirements are uncertain, scope may evolve, and the contractor's accounting system has been deemed adequate by DCAA. Which contract type allocates risk MOST appropriately?

  1. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) - contractor bears all cost risk and is incentivized here
  2. Time-and-Materials (T&M) - preferred for R&D as the default vehicle in such cases here
  3. Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) - Government bears cost risk; fixed fee unaffected by cost
  4. Cost-Plus-Percentage-of-Cost (CPPC) - fee scales with incurred cost over time period
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) - Government bears cost risk; fixed fee unaffected by cost

Question 9

A contractor submits a properly certified $250,000 claim to the Contracting Officer on March 1. Under the Contract Disputes Act (41 USC §§ 7101-7109) and FAR 33.211, what is the CO's deadline, and what is the contractor's NEXT recourse if the CO fails to act?

  1. 60-day decision; on deemed denial, 90 days to a Board or 12 months to COFC
  2. 30-day decision; 60 days to appeal to the Court of Federal Claims after that
  3. 120-day decision; 30 days to appeal to the Federal Circuit after final decision
  4. 180-day decision; 90 days to appeal to the Department of Justice civil division
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 60-day decision; on deemed denial, 90 days to a Board or 12 months to COFC

Question 10

A contractor on an FFP supply contract receives a Termination for Default notice for late delivery, but the delay was caused by an unforeseeable shipyard strike. The contractor properly invoked the Excusable Delays clause (FAR 52.249-14) but the CO terminated anyway. On appeal, the Board converts the T4D to a T4C. Under FAR 49.202, the contractor is now entitled to recover:

  1. Punitive damages and treble cost recovery for the wrongful termination by Government
  2. Anticipated profits on the entire unperformed portion of the contract scope of work
  3. All projected lifetime revenue from the original contract awarded to the contractor here
  4. Costs incurred plus reasonable profit on completed work, plus settlement expenses
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Costs incurred plus reasonable profit on completed work, plus settlement expenses

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