How Should I Prepare for Professional Scrum Master (PSM) I Certification?

The Professional Scrum Master Certification I, primarily concerns the Scrum Master position. It offers cutting-edge work tools and knowledge to support Scrum Masters through the services and adjustments required to adopt Scrum. Moreover, a Scrum Master also equips the knowledge about how to collaborate with people and teams, mentoring and training, as well as expanding Scrum within the team and organization.

If you are preparing for the PSM I Certification to take your Scrum Master career further or progress in your current role, then it is the right decision as more and more organizations are implementing the Scrum framework and are looking for certified Scrum Masters to join the team.

Are you preparing or planning to prepare for the Professional Scrum Master Certification? Then in such a case, you can check out our PSM I Certification Training Course to prepare for the exam. You can opt for the self-paced course with assisted training or you can go for the live training course conducted by industry professionals.

Moreover, you will get access to industry-trained instructors, full course coverage, live online sessions, doubt-clearing sessions, mock tests, mock questions, cheat sheets, and so much more. If you enroll now, you can enjoy 10% off on the self-paced course and 15% off on the live training course.

Important Information Regarding the PSM I Certification Exam

Cost of PSM I Certification

Here is the cost structure for the PSM I Certification that you can take a look at:

Category	PSM I
Exam Fee	$150
Exam Retake Fee	$150
Certification Validity	Lifetime

Also,each country has a different cost for PSM1 Certification. The table below displays the cost of PSM1 Certification in various countries:

Country	PSM 1 Certification Cost
India	₹23500-₹26000
USA	USD 999 - USD 1,450
Canada	CAD 1400 – CAD 1600
UK	£750 -£950
Australia	AUD 950 - AUD 1500

Also checkout How Much Does A Scrum Master Certification Cost?

Eligibility Criteria for PSM I Certification

Before deciding to pursue the certification, an applicant must meet a number of eligibility requirements. The prerequisites for the PSM I certification are shown below:

	PSM 1
Eligibility Requirements	Opting for a training course is not mandatory and is optional (But it is recommended) Understanding of the Scrum Guide

PSM I Exam Format

You can refer to the information below to gain a general concept of the PSM I exam format:

• Type of Exam - Open book
• Question Pattern - Multiple choice
• Total No of Questions - 80
• Exam Duration - 60 minutes
• Exam Language - English
• Passing Percentage - 85%
• Questions to Attempt - At least 68 out of 80 to pass the exam

Topics Covered on The PSM I Certification Exam

The subject areas included in the PSM I Certification exam are as follows:

• The Scrum Framework: The roles, artifacts, rules, and events that hold the Scrum Framework together are all contained within it. The Scrum Guide is followed by all of the roles and guidelines that make up the Scrum Framework. Therefore, having a solid understanding of the Scrum Framework is crucial.
• Scum Theory and Principles: Understanding Scrum Theory and its Principles is covered in this section. What do Scrums stand for, and what is the scientific theory behind them? This topic area covers the various methods that are used to maximize predictability and manage risk.
• Self-managing, Cross-Functional Teams: There is a significant distinction between a Scrum Team and a conventional development group. The Scrum Team operates under the principle of being a cross-functional, autonomous team. Which will foster greater originality, productivity, and adaptability
• Facilitating and Coaching: This topic focuses on the Scrum Masters' general conduct. In a conventional setting, team leaders or Project Managers operate substantially differently from Scrum Masters.

Tips for Preparing for The PSM I Certification Exam

Keep in mind that understanding the Scrum structure and concepts is crucial before beginning your PSM I Certification preparation. Although there are many Scrum references on the internet, learning and fully comprehending the Scrum Framework is the best approach to passing the PSM I certification exam.

Here are some helpful tips that you can consider:

• Read and reread the Glossary and the Scrum Guide. The Scrum Guide and your comprehension of it will form the majority of the exam's groundwork. Know the guidelines and intent behind the events, roles, and artifacts.
• Attend a professional Scrum Master Certification Training Course if you can, as this will give you excellent preparation for the test.
• Visit scrum.org to take the open assessment and test your knowledge. By completing the Scrum Open Assessment, you may get a sense of how the questions are structured and gain experience with the interface.
• Make your own summary or mindmap. It would be beneficial if you made your customized mindmap, where you would list the most crucial details that can help you memorize it better.
• Join a local Scrum or Agile online community to broaden your knowledge. But beware of misunderstandings and misusing terminology by others.
• Read the questions attentively and keep an eye out for "Negatives."
• Choose a response even if you aren't sure about it, then save the question for later review.
• Don't spend more than 45 seconds on a single question on your first attempt because you might not be able to complete the test.
• Review questions you've bookmarked in the remaining time at the end of the test.

Follow These Suggestions from Experts to Prepare for PSM Certification

• Attend All Questions: Since there are no deductions for incorrect responses, attempt all the questions. Whether you are certain of the answer or not, it is advised that you answer each question on the exam.
• Check whenever necessary: You should keep in mind that the PSM I exam is an open book format, which is a crucial factor. You can look in to obtain the solutions to the precise and direct queries.
• Manage your time: Time management is important. Use your time wisely when answering the questions; for example, don't spend a lot of time on the challenging questions in the first part of the exam; instead, mark them and try your best in the remaining valuable time. Never even attempt to look up the answer to a question on a search engine, like Google, during the exam. If you do, only time will be lost. Remember that you only have 60 minutes to complete the 80 questions.

Conclusion

We hope the above-listed tips were useful and you were able to plan better for your upcoming PSM I exam. If you know any other helpful tips that can guide the aspirants, drop them in the comment section below.

However, keep in mind that certifications are useless if you don't know enough about the subject. Therefore, if you intend to take the PSM I certification exam, ensure that you properly understand the scrum framework, concepts, and principles.

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