How Do You Identify the Critical Path in a Network Diagram?
Given the following network diagram: Which of the following is the critical path? - 
Community Votes
75% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
This question tests your ability to calculate total duration across parallel paths, with the common trap being selecting a path with fewer steps or higher individual task weights instead of the highest cumulative time.
The critical path represents the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the minimum project duration. Community consensus confirms that calculating and comparing total path durations across parallel routes reveals the correct answer.
Option A is frequently chosen by candidates who misread the diagram or incorrectly sum the durations, overlooking that the critical path is strictly defined by maximum elapsed time rather than task count or visual length.
Community Discussion (4 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
The critical path method (CPM) defines the critical path as the longest continuous sequence of activities from start to finish. By adding the durations of each step along path B, the total equals 50 units, which exceeds all other options. This longest duration dictates the shortest possible project completion time, making it the definitive critical path.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Paths A, C, and D all yield lower cumulative durations, leaving them with scheduling slack. Selecting them would indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of CPM, as these routes do not constrain the overall project timeline. Candidates often mistakenly prioritize the visually shortest or most direct route, ignoring the mathematical requirement for maximum elapsed time.Community Comment Notes
Users consistently emphasize that identifying the critical path simply requires finding the longest path time-wise. Comment [3] provides a clear breakdown of the path totals (Path A=45, B=50, C=40, D=30), directly validating the calculation approach. Several comments reinforce that memorizing the definition "longest duration wins" is highly effective for this exam type.Official Reference
Exam Strategy
Always map out every possible path on scratch paper and carefully sum the numerical values before selecting an option. Remember that the critical path never contains scheduling slack, so focus exclusively on finding the highest total duration regardless of how many intermediate nodes the path contains.
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