PMP lesson · Exam Strategy · Exam technique · lesson 1 of 3 · about 7 minutes
Question words: FIRST, NEXT, BEST, EXCEPT and more
All approachesFree full lesson
Goal: After this lesson you can identify the question word, understand exactly what it asks, and avoid misreading reversed questions.
1The situation
The right answer to the wrong question
A student knew everything about change control. The question asked what to do FIRST when a customer requests a change. She chose “Submit it to the change control board”, a correct step, but not the first one. The first is to analyse the impact.
Many exam mistakes are not knowledge mistakes. They are reading mistakes.
2Find the question word
Before reading the options, find the question word. It defines what “correct” means:
FIRST
Order
The very first step. Usually understanding or analysis.
NEXT
Sequence
Something already happened; what follows logically.
BEST
Quality
Several work; pick the strongest.
Several options can be correct actions. Only one fits the question word. Order the plausible options in time, then pick by the word.
Reversed questions
EXCEPT, NOT and LEAST reverse the question: three options are true, one is not. Highlight the word mentally, and check each option with “is this true?”
3What each question word asks
Question word
What it really asks
Typical right answer
FIRST
The step before any other
Assess, analyse, talk to the person, check the plan
NEXT
Something already happened; what follows
The logical next process step (often after analysis)
BEST / MOST
Several are acceptable; choose the strongest
The one that solves the root cause, follows the mindset
LEAST
Find the weakest option
Read carefully: reversed question
EXCEPT / NOT
Three are true; one is false
Find the one that does NOT fit
SHOULD HAVE / to PREVENT
Looking back: what would have avoided this?
A planning or prevention activity (RTM, WBS dictionary, risk plan)
Find the word first; it decides what 'correct' means.
More small words to watch
Small words with big effect
only, always, never, immediately: absolute words often signal a wrong answer. already: something has been done; don't repeat it. approved / pre-approved: the decision exists; implement it.
Who is the actor?
Read from whose view the question is asked: project manager, scrum master, product owner, team. The right action depends on the role.
4Worked example: ordering correct actions
Given: Customer requests a change. Options: submit to CCB · analyse impact · update the plan · implement it.
Put them in order
Analyse → submit to CCB → (approved) update plan → implement
All are real steps
Question word FIRST
Analyse the impact
First in the sequence
Question word NEXT (after analysis)
Submit to the CCB
Next step
Question word after approval
Update plans and communicate
Then implement
Same four options, different correct answer depending on the question word.
5Wrong vs right: the common traps
✘ Wrong thinking
Choosing a correct step that isn't the FIRST one.
✔ Right thinking
Order plausible actions in time; pick by the question word.
✘ Wrong thinking
Missing EXCEPT and choosing a true statement.
✔ Right thinking
In EXCEPT questions, find the false one.
✘ Wrong thinking
Ignoring “already approved”.
✔ Right thinking
Don't repeat steps that are done; implement.
✘ Wrong thinking
Answering as the PM when the question asks about the product owner.
✔ Right thinking
Check who the question is about.
✘ Wrong thinking
Choosing answers with “always” or “never”.
✔ Right thinking
Absolute words are often wrong.
6How it looks on the exam
Exam-style question 1. A customer asks for a change to the approved scope. What should the project manager do FIRST?
A. Submit the change to the change control board
B. Evaluate the impact of the change on the project objectives
C. Update the scope baseline
D. Implement the change to keep the customer satisfied
Show the answer and the decode
Answer: B.
In simple English
A change request arrives.
What is the question really asking?
The first step.
Key words / trigger
“FIRST”
PMP logic
Impact analysis comes before submission, approval and implementation.
Why the wrong answer looks attractive
Submitting to the CCB is correct, but it comes after the analysis.
Exam-style question 2. All of the following are characteristics of a servant leader EXCEPT:
A. Removes impediments for the team
B. Protects the team from interruptions
C. Assigns tasks to team members every morning
D. Develops team members through coaching
Show the answer and the decode
Answer: C.
In simple English
Reversed question.
What is the question really asking?
The one that does NOT fit.
Key words / trigger
“EXCEPT”
PMP logic
Servant leaders don't assign every task; self-organising teams pull work.
Why the wrong answer looks attractive
Three options are true; reading too fast picks a true one.
7Remember this
Your memory card
Find the question word before reading options
FIRST = earliest step · NEXT = what follows · BEST = strongest
EXCEPT / NOT / LEAST reverse the question
Watch absolutes, “already”, “approved” and who the actor is