Which criterion requires setting a specific deadline to complete the goal?

• A. Time Constrained
• B. Measurable
• C. Attainable
• D. Reliable

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is the time-bound aspect of a goal: you need a deadline to complete it. When a goal is Time Constrained, it includes a specific due date, which creates urgency and a clear endpoint. This helps you plan steps, allocate effort, and measure progress against a real deadline, keeping you from drifting or extending the timeline indefinitely. Without a set due date, tasks tend to be postponed and progress becomes hard to gauge.

Measurable is about how you quantify progress, not when you must finish. Attainable focuses on whether the goal is realistically achievable given resources and constraints. Reliable isn’t a standard criterion for goals in most frameworks and doesn’t by itself set a completion deadline.