The PMP® Formula Sheet 2026 Edition
Every formula that can appear on the 2026 PMP exam — explained in plain English, with a worked example for each. Fifteen formulas. One evening. Free points.
A quick word from our instructors: the 2026 exam has fewer pure-calculation questions than the old exams did — but the ones that appear are free points if you know these cold, and the concepts behind them (what a CPI of 0.83 actually tells a project manager) show up constantly in situational questions.
Earned Value — the core four
The four numbers every other formula is built from.
Planned Value
PV = Planned % Complete × BAC
What the schedule says you should have earned by today.
Example: Budget $100k, 40% planned by today → PV = $40,000.
Full definition & exam guideEarned Value
EV = Actual % Complete × BAC
What the completed work is actually worth — the anchor of every other formula.
Example: 35% genuinely done on a $100k budget → EV = $35,000.
Full definition & exam guideCost Variance
CV = EV − AC
Negative = over budget. EV always comes first.
Example: EV 35k, AC 42k → CV = −$7,000: over budget.
Full definition & exam guideSchedule Variance
SV = EV − PV
Negative = behind schedule.
Example: EV 35k, PV 40k → SV = −$5,000: behind.
Full definition & exam guidePerformance indexes
Ratios the exam loves — and the numbers real steering committees read first.
Cost Performance Index
CPI = EV ÷ AC
Value earned per dollar spent. Below 1.0 = over budget.
Example: 35k ÷ 42k = 0.83 → getting 83¢ of work per $1.
Full definition & exam guideSchedule Performance Index
SPI = EV ÷ PV
Work rate vs. plan. Below 1.0 = behind schedule.
Example: 35k ÷ 40k = 0.875 → moving at 87.5% of planned pace.
Full definition & exam guideForecasting
Where the exam tests judgment: choosing the right formula for the scenario.
Estimate at Completion (typical)
EAC = BAC ÷ CPI
Final cost if current efficiency continues — the default EAC on the exam.
Example: 100k ÷ 0.83 ≈ $120,500 forecast at completion.
Full definition & exam guideEstimate at Completion (one-time blip)
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV)
Use when the overrun was a one-off and the rest will go to plan.
Example: 42k + (100k − 35k) = $107,000.
Full definition & exam guideEstimate to Complete
ETC = EAC − AC
Money still needed from today — the number sponsors actually ask for.
Example: 120.5k − 42k = $78,500 to finish.
Full definition & exam guideVariance at Completion
VAC = BAC − EAC
Size of the final surprise. Negative = overrun coming.
Example: 100k − 120.5k = −$20,500.
Full definition & exam guideTo-Complete Performance Index
TCPI = (BAC − EV) ÷ (BAC − AC)
Efficiency required on remaining work to hit budget. Above ~1.10 = unrealistic; re-baseline.
Example: 65k ÷ 58k = 1.12 → a turnaround promise.
Full definition & exam guideSchedule & estimating
The classics that still earn quick points.
Total Float
Float = LS − ES (or LF − EF)
How long a task can slip without moving the finish date. Critical path float = 0.
Example: ES day 3, LS day 6 → 3 days of float.
Full definition & exam guidePERT (Beta) Estimate
E = (O + 4M + P) ÷ 6
Weighted three-point estimate — optimistic, most likely ×4, pessimistic.
Example: (4 + 4×6 + 14) ÷ 6 = 7 days.
PERT Standard Deviation
σ = (P − O) ÷ 6
The uncertainty range around a PERT estimate.
Example: (14 − 4) ÷ 6 ≈ 1.67 days.
Communication Channels
Channels = n(n−1) ÷ 2
Why adding people multiplies communication complexity.
Example: 10 people → 45 channels. Add 2 more → 66.
Formulas memorized? Now train the judgment.
The 2026 exam gives you 180 questions in 240 minutes — and most of them test decisions, not arithmetic. Put these formulas to work inside realistic situational questions, free to start.
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