What are SMART goals?

• A. Broad, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals
• B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals
• C. Simple, Measurable, Ambitious, Realistic, Timed
• D. Specific, Meaningful, Applicable, Relevant, Timely goals

Answer: (B)

The main concept being tested is setting goals with a clear framework that makes them actionable and trackable. SMART goals use five criteria to ensure clarity and feasibility: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Specific means you spell out exactly what you want to accomplish, who will do it, where it will happen, and why it’s important. This leaves no ambiguity about what success looks like. Measurable adds a way to quantify progress, so you can track milestones and know when the goal is reached. Achievable checks that the goal is realistic given current resources and constraints, avoiding goals that are impossible or demotivating. Relevant ensures the goal aligns with broader priorities and adds real value. Time-bound assigns a deadline, creating urgency and a schedule for taking action.

That’s why the best answer uses the standard terms Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The other options replace one or more of these terms with less precise or nonstandard wording, which makes the goals less clear or harder to measure and act upon.