Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) tests a genuine understanding of the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master role, based almost entirely on the official Scrum Guide. It is short but demanding — 80 questions in 60 minutes with an 85% pass mark — so the key is to understand the intent of Scrum, not just memorise its mechanics. This guide is study guidance only, with no real or simulated exam questions.
Study the Scrum Guide deeply
The Scrum Guide is the single source of truth for the exam. Read it several times until the pieces connect, and for each element ask “why does Scrum include this?”
The Scrum framework
Pillars and values
Scrum rests on empiricism: transparency, inspection and adaptation. Its five values are commitment, focus, openness, respect and courage.
Three accountabilities
The Scrum Master (fosters effectiveness and removes impediments), the Product Owner (maximises product value, owns the Product Backlog), and the Developers (build the Increment).
Five events
The Sprint (the container), Sprint Planning, the Daily Scrum, the Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective.
Three artifacts and their commitments
The Product Backlog (commitment: Product Goal), the Sprint Backlog (commitment: Sprint Goal), and the Increment (commitment: Definition of Done).
How to pass
Take the free Scrum Open assessment repeatedly until you score 95%+ comfortably within the time limit. Understand the Scrum Master as a servant leader, not a project manager. Do not use “real exam questions” sites — they breach Scrum.org policy.