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Chapter 1 of 10

Scrum.org PSM I at a Glance: Exam, Mindset, and Strategy

Step behind the 60-minute, 80-question PSM I exam and see exactly what it demands from you—not just what Scrum is, but how precisely you must think to score 85% or higher on your first attempt.

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Step 1 – What PSM I Is (and Why Scrum.org Is Special)

What Is PSM I?

PSM I is a 60-minute, 80-question online assessment from Scrum.org that tests how well you understand and can apply the Scrum Guide (Nov 2020).

About Scrum.org

Scrum.org maintains a single, canonical view of Scrum. Its exams measure your knowledge of that view, not whatever flavor of Scrum your company uses.

Certification Basics

You do not need to attend a class to take PSM I, and the certificate does not expire. The exam uses many scenario-based questions grounded in the Scrum Guide.

Why This Matters

Real-world Scrum often diverges from the Scrum Guide. For the exam, Scrum.org's interpretation always wins, even if your team does things differently.

Step 2 – PSM I Exam Format, Scoring, and Logistics

Core Exam Numbers

PSM I has 80 questions in 60 minutes. The passing score is 85%, which means you must answer at least 68 questions correctly.

Question Types

Expect mostly single-answer multiple choice, some multiple-answer (e.g., "choose 2"), and some true/false. Many are short scenarios.

Logistics & Tools

The exam is online, non-proctored, and browser-based. You can usually keep the Scrum Guide open, but time is too tight to look up everything.

Time Pressure

You have about 45 seconds per question. You must answer easy questions quickly to save time for complex scenario questions.

Step 3 – Scrum.org Canonical Scrum vs. Real-World Scrum

Canonical Scrum

For PSM I, Scrum is exactly what the Scrum Guide (Nov 2020) says: three accountabilities, three artifacts with commitments, and five events.

Accountabilities & Events

Accountabilities: Scrum Master, Product Owner, Developers. Events: Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective.

Artifacts & Commitments

Artifacts: Product Backlog (Product Goal), Sprint Backlog (Sprint Goal), Increment (Definition of Done). These are central in many exam questions.

Real World vs. Exam

Real teams add roles and practices. For the exam, ignore extras like project managers, team leads, or status meetings that conflict with the Scrum Guide.

Step 4 – Example: Real-World Practice vs. Exam Answer

The Scenario

Mid-Sprint, a senior manager asks the Product Owner to add an urgent feature into the current Sprint and drop something less important.

Typical Real-World Reaction

Many teams would just add the new item, reshuffle tasks, or work overtime. This often ignores the Sprint Goal and self-management.

Scrum.org View

The Product Owner manages the Product Backlog. The Sprint Goal is fixed; scope can change only if it does not endanger that goal.

Exam-Consistent Response

The Product Owner may reject the request for this Sprint, negotiate scope swaps that keep the Sprint Goal safe, or in extreme cases cancel the Sprint.

Step 5 – Quick Check: Canonical vs. Real-World Scrum

Test your ability to choose the Scrum.org-consistent answer.

During a Sprint, who decides whether to add a new high-priority item into the current Sprint Backlog?

  1. The senior manager who requested the work
  2. The Scrum Master, after consulting the Product Owner
  3. The Product Owner and Developers together, considering the Sprint Goal
  4. The project manager, because they control scope and schedule
Show Answer

Answer: C) The Product Owner and Developers together, considering the Sprint Goal

In Scrum, the Product Owner manages the Product Backlog and sets priorities, while Developers decide what they can take on. Any change to the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint must respect the Sprint Goal and be negotiated between the Product Owner and Developers. Managers, project managers, or Scrum Masters cannot unilaterally add work.

Step 6 – Study Sources: What Actually Matters for PSM I

Primary Sources

Your must-study items: Scrum Guide (Nov 2020), the Scrum.org Scrum Glossary, and Scrum.org Open Assessments (especially Scrum Open).

Using the Scrum Guide

Read the Scrum Guide at least three times. Focus on exact wording about accountabilities, events, artifacts, and commitments.

Open Assessments

Take Scrum Open and related opens until you consistently score 95%+. Treat them as learning tools, not just score-chasing.

Avoid Outdated Content

Be careful with materials based on the 2017 Guide or earlier, or sites sharing actual exam questions. They can mislead you and violate rules.

Step 7 – Build Your 7-Day PSM I Study Plan

Use this guided exercise to create a realistic one-week plan. Adjust the days if you have more or less time.

Task: Take 3–5 minutes to sketch your own plan using the template below. Adapt the time blocks to your schedule.

  1. Day 1 – Baseline and first read
  • Read the Scrum Guide once, without taking notes.
  • Take the Scrum Open once to see your baseline.
  • Write down 3 areas you found confusing.
  1. Day 2 – Deep dive into roles and events
  • Re-read sections on Scrum Team accountabilities and events.
  • For each accountability and event, write 1–2 bullet points: purpose, who attends, timebox.
  • Take Scrum Open again.
  1. Day 3 – Artifacts and commitments
  • Re-read artifact sections: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment.
  • Write your own short definitions for Product Goal, Sprint Goal, Definition of Done.
  • Do 1–2 Open Assessments (Scrum Open, Product Owner Open).
  1. Day 4 – Scenario practice
  • Use a reputable practice question set.
  • For each question you miss, go back to the Scrum Guide and find the relevant line.
  • Summarize the principle in your own words.
  1. Day 5 – Timed drills
  • Do at least 2 full Scrum Open runs back-to-back under time pressure.
  • Aim to answer each question in 30–40 seconds.
  1. Day 6 – Fill gaps
  • Review all questions you still miss or hesitate on.
  • Re-read only the weak sections of the Scrum Guide.
  • Write a 1-page summary of Scrum in your own words.
  1. Day 7 – Simulation and rest
  • Take one long practice test (60 minutes if possible).
  • Afterward, review mistakes, then stop studying. Get rest before your real exam.

Now do it:

  • Copy this plan into your notes.
  • Adjust durations and days to fit your life.
  • Add specific times (e.g., "Day 3, 19:00–20:00: Artifacts + Product Owner Open").

By the end, you should be fluent in the Scrum Guide language and comfortable answering questions quickly.

Step 8 – Time Management on Exam Day

Check your strategy for handling 80 questions in 60 minutes.

You start the PSM I exam and notice some questions are very long scenarios. What is the best time-management strategy?

  1. Spend as long as needed on the first tough question, then speed up later
  2. Answer easy questions quickly, flag hard ones, and return if time remains
  3. Skip every scenario question and answer only short ones
  4. Open the Scrum Guide for every question to be 100% sure
Show Answer

Answer: B) Answer easy questions quickly, flag hard ones, and return if time remains

With 80 questions in 60 minutes, you have about 45 seconds per question. The best strategy is to answer easy questions quickly, flag hard ones, and return later if time remains. Spending too long on early tough questions or checking the Scrum Guide for each one will cause you to run out of time.

Step 9 – Thinking Like Scrum.org: Typical Question Patterns

Pattern 1: Who Is Responsible?

Many questions ask who is accountable for something. Usually the correct answer is Product Owner (value), Scrum Master (coaching), or Developers (building).

Pattern 2: Event Purpose

Know the purpose and timebox of each event. Daily Scrum is for Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan.

Pattern 3: Values & Empiricism

When in doubt, choose answers that support transparency, inspection, adaptation, and Scrum values, not command-and-control behavior.

Pattern 4: Change & Uncertainty

For changing requirements, Scrum favors short Sprints, ongoing refinement, and frequently delivering Done increments to learn from.

Step 10 – Flashcard Review: Core PSM I Facts

Use these flashcards to lock in key exam facts and Scrum terms.

PSM I: number of questions and time limit
80 questions, 60 minutes (about 45 seconds per question).
PSM I passing score
85% (at least 68 correct answers out of 80).
Three Scrum accountabilities (Scrum Guide 2020)
Scrum Master, Product Owner, Developers.
Five Scrum events
Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective.
Three Scrum artifacts and their commitments
Product Backlog (Product Goal), Sprint Backlog (Sprint Goal), Increment (Definition of Done).
Main purpose of the Daily Scrum
For Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt their plan for the next 24 hours.
Who owns the Product Backlog?
The Product Owner is accountable for the Product Backlog and maximizing product value.
Definition of Done (DoD)
A formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product.
Can the Sprint Goal change during a Sprint?
No. The Sprint Goal is fixed during the Sprint. Scope may be clarified or negotiated, but the goal should remain stable.
Does the PSM I certificate expire?
No. Scrum.org's PSM I certification currently does not expire and does not require renewal.

Key Terms

PSM I
Professional Scrum Master I, an entry-level Scrum.org certification that tests understanding of the Scrum Guide and basic application of Scrum.
Increment
A concrete stepping stone toward the Product Goal that meets the Definition of Done and is usable and potentially releasable.
Scrum.org
An organization founded by Ken Schwaber that defines a canonical view of Scrum and offers assessments such as PSM I.
Developers
In Scrum Guide 2020, the people in the Scrum Team committed to creating any aspect of a usable Increment each Sprint.
Empiricism
The Scrum foundation that decisions are based on observation, experience, and experimentation through transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
Sprint Goal
The single objective for the Sprint, giving the Scrum Team flexibility regarding the exact work needed to achieve it.
Product Goal
The long-term objective for the Scrum Team's work, associated with the Product Backlog.
Scrum Master
The accountability responsible for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide and coaching the organization and team in its use.
Product Owner
The accountability responsible for maximizing the value of the product resulting from the work of the Scrum Team and managing the Product Backlog.
Accountability
In Scrum, a defined area of responsibility held by members of the Scrum Team: Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers.
Sprint Backlog
The set of Product Backlog items selected for the Sprint, plus a plan for delivering them and realizing the Sprint Goal.
Open Assessment
A free online practice quiz provided by Scrum.org to help candidates prepare for official assessments like PSM I.
Product Backlog
An emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product, owned by the Product Owner.
Scrum Guide 2020
The current official definition of Scrum, updated in November 2020, which simplifies roles into accountabilities and emphasizes commitments for each artifact.
Definition of Done
A shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete, providing transparency over the state of the Increment.

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