Certified ScrumMaster credential artwork

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Exam Guide

Validates foundational knowledge of Scrum principles, the Scrum framework and Scrum Master responsibilities for serving teams and organizations.

The CSM test checks that you understood the class: the Scrum framework as the Scrum Guide describes it and how a Scrum Master serves the team and organization. Read the Scrum Guide before class, take part fully, then sit the test while the material is fresh.

Understand the exam

Syllabus

Rows are Scrum Alliance’s learning objectives, not weighted exam domains.

1Scrum
  1. 1.1Describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the scrum team.
  2. 1.2Describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the scrum master.
  3. 1.3Describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the developers.
  4. 1.4Describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the product owner.
  5. 1.5Discuss at least two reasons why the product owner is a single person and neither a group nor a committee.
  6. 1.6Discuss how and why the product owner maintains authority over the product backlog while working collaboratively with developers and stakeholders.
  7. 1.7Identify at least one example of how a scrum team could inspect and adapt to increase transparency at each of the scrum events.
  8. 1.8Perform a sprint planning.
  9. 1.9Perform a sprint review.
  10. 1.10Perform a sprint retrospective.
  11. 1.11Describe at least three possible effects of skipping the sprint retrospective.
  12. 1.12Explain how developers conduct a daily scrum.
  13. 1.13Discuss at least three ways the daily scrum differs from a status meeting and why the various constraints exist to support the developers.
  14. 1.14Explain under what conditions a sprint could be terminated prematurely.
  15. 1.15Explain at least three advantages of a strong definition of done.
  16. 1.16Outline at least one way to create a definition of done.

Example scenario: The team wants to skip the Retrospective because the Sprint went well. What would you, as Scrum Master, say?

2Scrum Master core competencies
  1. 2.1Describe at least three situations in which the scrum master could serve the needs of the scrum team or organization through facilitation.
  2. 2.2Demonstrate at least three techniques for facilitating group decision making.
  3. 2.3Discuss how facilitating, teaching, mentoring, and coaching are different.

Example scenario: In Sprint Planning, two Developers dominate and the rest stay silent. What facilitation technique could help?

3Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and organization
  1. 3.1Describe three scenarios where the scrum master acts as a leader for the scrum team.
  2. 3.2Explain the impact of accumulating technical debt.
  3. 3.3List at least three development practices that could help their scrum team deliver a high-quality increment and reduce technical debt each sprint.
  4. 3.4Explain at least three ways the scrum master could support the product owner.
  5. 3.5Describe at least three organizational impediments that can affect scrum teams.
  6. 3.6Discuss at least two ways that the scrum master assists the scrum team with impediments.
  7. 3.7Apply at least one technique that could help resolve an impediment.
  8. 3.8Summarize at least one organizational design change caused by adopting scrum.
  9. 3.9Discuss why scrum does not have a project manager.

Example scenario: A manager asks the Scrum Master for a daily status report on each Developer. How should the Scrum Master respond?

CSM learning objectives · Updated January 2022

Format

Questions
50
Duration
60 min
Passing score
37 / 50
Delivery
Online
Languages
English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Danish, Czech, Polish, Russian

Question types

Multiple choice. Choose the best answer from the options for each question.

CertUp example

A Product Owner asks the Developers to add a large new request in the middle of the Sprint. What should the Scrum Master encourage?

  1. Discuss the request with the Product Owner and the Developers, and consider it for the Product Backlog
  2. Add it to the Sprint at once and drop the Sprint Goal
  3. Cancel the Sprint immediately
  4. Ask the Developers to work extra hours to fit it in
Show answer

A. The Sprint scope can be renegotiated with the Product Owner while protecting the Sprint Goal, and new work normally goes to the Product Backlog; dropping the goal or overtime is not the Scrum Master's answer.

Eligibility and booking

Required before the test

16-hour CSM class

Required

Attend a live Certified ScrumMaster class, online or in person, with a Certified Scrum Trainer. The trainer then creates your Scrum Alliance account and the test unlocks.

Book a class through the Scrum Alliance course finder. Your trainer sets up your account after class.

Find a CSM class

Make a study plan

The class is the main preparation. Read the Scrum Guide first so the class time goes further.

Most candidates spend 20–25 hours. Plan for the low end if you know Scrum already; plan for the high end if Scrum is new and you want extra time with the Scrum Guide and practice questions before the test.

2 weeksto be ready
  1. 1Understand the examRead the syllabus and format, check you’re eligible and pick a target date.1 h
  2. 3Learn the core conceptsWork through one main course or book, topic by topic.12 h
  3. 4Practice with mock examsTake timed practice tests and review every mistake.6 h
  4. 5Prepare for exam dayBook the exam and check the ID and delivery rules.1 h

Learn the core concepts

The class teaches everything the test covers. The Scrum Guide is the reference behind it.

Best low-price classCertified ScrumMaster (live online)Miljan Bajić · Agile to agility · $399 · test and 2-year membership includedBest for comparing trainersCertified ScrumMaster (live online)Marcelo Lopez Jr · 3Back · $495 · test and 2-year membership includedBest free prepScrum GuideKen Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland · Free · web or PDF
See all 3 CSM courses →

Practice with mock exams

Extra practice is optional. A free quiz on the Scrum Guide is enough for most people.

Scrum Master Mock Exams (on demand)Agile Centre · Free · enrol to startFree CSM Practice TestSimplilearn · Free · unlimited retakesScrum OpenScrum.org · Free · unlimited attempts
See all 4 CSM practice tests →

Are you ready?

  • You can explain each Scrum accountability, event and artifact without notes.
  • You pass Scrum Open comfortably.

Prepare for exam day

The CSM test runs online in your Scrum Alliance account, with no proctor or test centre.

  • After the class you receive a welcome email. You have 90 days and two free attempts from then.
  • Set aside 60 uninterrupted minutes. The test cannot be paused.
  • The test is available in 13 languages.
  • You see your result when you submit. Passing activates your certification and membership.
  • After two failed attempts or 90 days, each attempt costs $25.

How to retake the CSM test

Advice from exam takers