CSM Exam Preparation

Certified ScrumMaster

Learn to lead agile teams as a servant-leader. The Certified ScrumMaster certification validates your ability to understand Scrum theory, guide teams through ceremony and empiricism, and coach organizations toward better outcomes.

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Duration

60 minutes

Questions

50 multiple choice

Cost

Included in training course ($500-$2,000 USD)
Where to register
Scrum Alliance

Issued by Scrum Alliance. Delivered via Online via Scrum Alliance training course (required before exam access). CSM requires completion of an authorized Scrum Alliance training course. Training costs typically range from $500 to $2,000 USD and include exam access.

Register on scrumalliance.org
01·Overview

Certification overview

The format, prerequisites, and what to expect on exam day.

Exam details

  • Exam Code

    Certified ScrumMaster

  • Duration

    60 minutes

  • Questions

    50 multiple choice

  • Format

    Open book, online, not proctored

  • Passing Score

    37 of 50 (74%)

  • Cost

    Included in training course ($500-$2,000 USD)

  • Validity

    2 years, then renew with 20 SEUs + $100 fee

  • Languages

    English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, and others

Prerequisites
  • Completion of an authorized Scrum Alliance CSM training course (2-3 days)
  • Access to the Scrum Guide
  • Understanding of agile principles and iterative development
  • No prior Scrum experience required, but helpful
02·Domains

Exam domains

Topics on the official blueprint, with their relative weight.

01
Scrum Roles and Accountability
Per Scrum Alliance learning objectives
  • The Scrum Master as servant leader
  • The Product Owner role and backlog management
  • Development Team composition and self-organization
  • Accountability vs. responsibility in Scrum teams
02
Scrum Events and Ceremonies
Per Scrum Alliance learning objectives
  • Sprint Planning and goal setting
  • Daily Standup facilitation and purpose
  • Sprint Review and stakeholder feedback
  • Sprint Retrospective and continuous improvement
  • Sprint mechanics and timeboxes
03
Scrum Artifacts and Transparency
Per Scrum Alliance learning objectives
  • Product Backlog creation and refinement
  • Sprint Backlog and commitment tracking
  • Increment and Definition of Done
  • Burndown charts and team metrics
04
Coaching and Organizational Adoption
Per Scrum Alliance learning objectives
  • Coaching the Scrum Team toward self-organization
  • Removing impediments and blockers
  • Helping the organization adopt Scrum
  • Facilitating stakeholder alignment
03·Key topics

What you actually study

Service families and concept clusters that show up across questions.

The Scrum Framework

  • Scrum roles: Product Owner, Development Team, Scrum Master
  • Five events: Planning, Standup, Review, Retrospective, Sprint
  • Three artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment

Empirical Process Control

  • Transparency in work and progress
  • Inspection of artifacts and processes
  • Adaptation based on feedback loops

Servant Leadership

  • Enabling the team to be self-managing
  • Creating psychological safety for honest communication
  • Coaching vs. directing team behavior

Facilitation and Impediments

  • Running effective ceremonies without command-and-control
  • Identifying systemic blockers early
  • Removing organizational barriers to Scrum

Scrum in the Real World

  • Distributed and remote team considerations
  • Scaling Scrum across multiple teams
  • Integration with existing processes and tools
04·Study tips

How to actually pass it

Practical strategies for the weeks before, and the morning of.

Preparation strategy
  • Read the official Scrum Guide twice, it is the authoritative source
  • Practice with scenario-based questions focusing on the Scrum Master role
  • Watch recorded training videos to understand ceremony mechanics
  • Build a concept map connecting roles, events, and artifacts
  • Join a study group or forum to discuss servant-leader coaching
  • Take at least four full-length practice exams
  • Memorize event names, timeboxes, and typical participants
Exam day
  • Use the open-book format to reference the Scrum Guide when unsure
  • Focus on the Scrum Master perspective when answering questions
  • Watch for questions about team coaching vs. directive management
  • Bookmark questions you are uncertain about and review them after
  • Pace yourself at about 1 minute per question
  • Reread complex scenario questions to catch nuance
  • Remember you have two free attempts, so pace carefully

Ready to coach agile teams?

Scenario-focused practice tests grounded in the Scrum Guide and real-world team dynamics. Start free, no card required.

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