A one-page CSM reference: exam facts plus the Scrum framework you must know. Use it for final review after the required course. Confirm all current details on the Scrum Alliance certification page.
Exam facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 multiple choice |
| Time | 60 minutes |
| Format | Open book, online, non-proctored |
| Pass mark | 37 / 50 (74%) |
| Prerequisite | 16-hour official CSM course from a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST); no Scrum experience required |
| Cost | ~US$250-2,495 (approximate; bundled into the course, usually includes two attempts) |
| Validity | 2 years (renew with SEUs + a renewal fee) |
The three Scrum roles
- Scrum Master - a servant leader who coaches the team, facilitates events and removes impediments.
- Product Owner - accountable for maximising value and ordering the Product Backlog.
- Developers - the people who do the work to build the Increment.
The five Scrum events
- Sprint - the container event; a fixed-length cycle (typically up to a month).
- Sprint Planning - the team plans the Sprint and sets the Sprint Goal.
- Daily Scrum - a short daily sync for the Developers to plan the day.
- Sprint Review - inspect the Increment with stakeholders and adapt the backlog.
- Sprint Retrospective - inspect how the team works and plan improvements.
The three Scrum artifacts (and their commitments)
- Product Backlog - ordered list of what the product needs; commitment: the Product Goal.
- Sprint Backlog - the work selected for the Sprint; commitment: the Sprint Goal.
- Increment - a usable step toward the goal; commitment: the Definition of Done.
Scrum values and pillars
- Five values - commitment, focus, openness, respect, courage.
- Three empirical pillars - transparency, inspection, adaptation.
Common traps
- Thinking you can skip the course - the 16-hour CST course is mandatory.
- Treating “open book” as “no study” - 50 questions in 60 minutes needs fluency.
- Confusing the Scrum Master with a traditional project manager who assigns work.