PMP Formulas Cheat Sheet 2026: Every EVM, PERT and Communication Formula You Need on Exam Day

PMI does not publish a fixed number, but across 1,900 Learners Ink alumni post-exam surveys in 2026 the average is 9 calculation questions out of 180. Most are earned value scenarios asking whether the project is ahead of schedule and under budget, or which EAC formula applies given the assumption stated in the stem.

You will also see 1 to 2 PERT questions, 1 communication channels question and occasionally a contingency reserve or contract type calculation. None of these require a calculator beyond the on-screen four function tool, but they do require you to recognise the formula in under 20 seconds.

Group them mentally by category so you can retrieve the right one from a scenario stem.

• SV = EV - PV. Positive means ahead of schedule.
• CV = EV - AC. Positive means under budget.
• SPI = EV / PV. Above 1.0 means ahead of schedule.
• CPI = EV / AC. Above 1.0 means under budget.
• EAC (typical variance) = BAC / CPI
• EAC (atypical variance) = AC + (BAC - EV)
• EAC (both CPI and SPI influence future) = AC + [(BAC - EV) / (CPI x SPI)]
• EAC (bottom up re-estimate) = AC + ETC
• ETC = EAC - AC
• VAC = BAC - EAC
• TCPI (to complete against BAC) = (BAC - EV) / (BAC - AC)
• PERT mean = (P + 4M + O) / 6
• PERT standard deviation = (P - O) / 6
• Communication channels = n(n - 1) / 2 where n is the number of stakeholders

Every EAC question tells you which assumption to use. Train your eye to spot four phrases: 'at the current rate' or 'if the trend continues' means typical, use BAC/CPI. 'The remaining work will be done at the planned rate' means atypical, use AC + (BAC - EV). 'Both cost and schedule performance will influence future work' means the combined formula. 'The team re-estimated the remaining work' means bottom up, use AC + ETC.

Mis-reading the assumption is the single biggest source of lost points on EVM questions. Underline the phrase before you touch numbers.

A three-point estimate gives optimistic 6 days, most likely 10 days, pessimistic 20 days. PERT mean = (6 + 40 + 20) / 6 = 11 days. Standard deviation = (20 - 6) / 6 = 2.33 days. The 68 percent confidence range is 11 plus or minus 2.33 days. The 95 percent range is 11 plus or minus 4.66 days.

For contingency reserves the exam usually gives you a risk register with probability and impact. Contingency = sum of (probability x impact) for each identified risk. Management reserve is separate and set by executive policy, not calculated.

The formula n(n - 1) / 2 always includes yourself. If the question says 'you have 7 team members joining you', n = 8 and channels = 28. If it says 'a team of 7', n = 7 and channels = 21. The exam frequently asks for the increase in channels when the team grows: compute new minus old.

Days 1 and 2: write all 14 formulas from memory five times each morning and evening. Day 3: 15 pure EVM problems from PMI ATP question banks. Day 4: 10 EAC scenario problems focused on picking the right variant. Day 5: 10 PERT and standard deviation problems. Day 6: mixed 20 question calculation set under timed conditions, target 90 seconds per item. Day 7: rest and review your error log only.