The CSM exam tests the Scrum framework as defined in the free Scrum Guide. Scrum Alliance does not publish official percentage weights for the topics, so treat every area below as core. Remember the certification requires completing a 16-hour course from a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) before you can sit the exam. Confirm the current details on the Scrum Alliance certification page.
The framework areas
| Area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Lean, Agile and Scrum basics | Where Scrum sits within agile and lean thinking; the empirical pillars of transparency, inspection and adaptation |
| Scrum theory and values | Why Scrum is empirical; the five values - commitment, focus, openness, respect and courage |
| Scrum roles | The Scrum Master, the Product Owner and the Developers, and what each is accountable for |
| Scrum events | The Sprint, Sprint Planning, the Daily Scrum, the Sprint Review and the Sprint Retrospective |
| Scrum artifacts | The Product Backlog, the Sprint Backlog and the Increment, and their commitments |
| The Scrum Master’s role | Servant leadership, facilitation, coaching and removing impediments |
How to read the syllabus
Because there are no published weights, do not skip anything - all six areas are fair game. The roles, events and artifacts are the structural heart of Scrum and tend to carry the most questions, so be able to name and explain each from memory. The Scrum Master’s role is the lens of the whole exam: expect questions framed around how a servant leader would act.
How to study it
The course does most of the work, so attend it actively. Read the free Scrum Guide before and after the course, and organise your notes around the three categories - roles, events and artifacts - plus the values. Be clear on who facilitates each event and what each artifact commits to: the Product Goal, the Sprint Goal and the Definition of Done. Confirm the current format and requirements on the Scrum Alliance certification page.