Currently, there are quite a few Scrum Master certificates out there, but the most credible and widely recognized ones come from Scrum.org and the Scrum Alliance.
Here is a quick comparison:
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Scrum.org (PSM I): Cheaper exam fee, no mandatory training courses required, and the certificate never expires. However, the passing score is a steep 85%.
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Scrum Alliance (CSM): Mandatory paid training is required, the overall cost is much higher, and the certificate expires (requires renewal). However, the exam is considered easier, requiring only a 75% score to pass.
Scrum.org offers 3 levels of Scrum Master certifications: PSM I, PSM II, and PSM III. Today, I’ll focus on how to prepare for the PSM I. Personally, it took me two attempts to pass. I thought I was well-prepared the first time, but it clearly wasn't quite enough!
Study Materials & Preparation Guide
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The Official Scrum Guide: For core content, I strongly recommend sticking only to the official Scrum Guide. Reading outside sources can sometimes cause confusion due to differing interpretations. Read it 3–4 times and ensure you truly understand the concepts, not just memorize them.
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Highly Recommended Book: A book that helped me tremendously is Scrum Narrative and PSM Exam Guide: All-in-one Guide for Professional Scrum Master (PSM 1) Certificate Assessment Preparation.
Practice Assessments (Crucial Step)
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Scrum Open Assessment: Scrum.org provides an official mock exam here: Scrum Open. You should practice this until you consistently score 100%. Be warned: the real exam is about 5–10 times harder. The real questions and answers are much longer, and the vocabulary is deliberately tricky.
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Product Owner Open: You should also practice the PO assessment, as 1–2 questions regarding the Product Owner role will likely appear on your exam: Product Owner Open.
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Nexus Open (Scaled Scrum): Expect 1–2 questions regarding Scaled Scrum. Familiarize yourself with the basics here: Nexus Open.
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Mikhail Lapshin's Quizzes: Try the practice quizzes at mlapshin.com. Do both the Scrum Master and Product Owner tests. Aim for a score of 95% or higher (100% is ideal). These are incredibly helpful.
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Paid Mock Exams: If you have some extra budget, there are various paid websites offering highly realistic mock exams that you can invest in for extra confidence.
Finally, right before you start the exam, take a moment to calm your mind. Find a completely quiet place where you will not be interrupted.
Good luck to everyone preparing for the PSM I!
