Certified Scrum Master • FAQ

Why Becoming Scrum Master Certified?

There are several reasons why becoming a Certified Scrum Master is a real asset for professionals:

• Increase knowledge and understanding: A Certified Scrum Master has got a thorough understanding of Scrum and the ability to apply it in a real-world setting. Therefore a certified Scrum Master working on Agile projects can demonstrate a full understanding and knowledge of the Scrum framework.
• Enhance career opportunities: In many companies, Scrum Master certification is seen as a valuable asset for individuals looking to advance their careers in project management or Agile projects.
• Improve facilitation skills: A certified Scrum Master is a facilitator in an Agile team, and a certification can help others develop and improve their skills.
• Enhance credibility: A Scrum Master certification can enhance an individual’s credibility, marketability and professional reputation, as it demonstrates a commitment to learning and staying up-to-date on the latest practices in an Agile environment. And it can really make you a more effective facilitator and increase your value to your organization.

How to Prepare for becoming a certified Scrum Master?

To pass the SM certification exam, it is important to have a full knowledge and understanding of the Scrum framework and the way it is applied in practice. Here are a few key steps to help you prepare for becoming a certified Scrum Master and pass the certification exam:

• First of all, become familiar with the Scrum framework: Before taking the exam, it’s important to have a solid understanding of Scrum, its environment, its framework,  its principles and practices. This includes the roles and responsibilities within the team, mastering events (e.g., sprint planning, daily stand-up), and artifacts (e.g., sprint backlog, product backlog). Make sure you study the Scrum Guide, the official guide to the Scrum framework. This will be a good start. Make sure you understand Scrum core principles as well as the roles, rules and events as defined in the framework.
• Consider taking a training course or workshop: Many certification organizations offer training courses or workshops that can help you prepare for the exam. These can provide a deeper understanding of the framework and help you learn how to use and apply it in practice.
• Review study materials: Most certification organizations provide study materials, such as practice exams or study guides, to help you prepare for the exam. Reviewing these materials can help you identify any knowledge gaps and focus your study efforts.
• Practice applying Scrum: While it is important to master the theory behind Scrum, it is also helpful to have practical experience working with Scrum. Therefore the best way to prepare for the certification exam is to gain practical experience. Consider volunteering as a Scrum Master or seek out opportunities to work with experienced Scrum Masters.
• Take practice exams: Practice exams can be a helpful way to gauge your knowledge and identify areas where you may need to spend more time studying. To help you get prepared for the exam, many certification organizations offer practice exams as part of their study materials, or you can find third-party practice exams online.
• Seek guidance from a mentor: Consider working with a mentor or finding a study group to help you prepare for the exam. A mentor with experience in Scrum can provide valuable guidance and support as you prepare for the certification.
• Stay current: Scrum is a constantly evolving framework, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest practices and techniques. Make sure you are familiar with the most current version of the Scrum Guide and other relevant resources.
• Get plenty of rest and arrive on time: Make sure you are well-rested and arrive at the exam location with plenty of time to spare. Being tired or rushed can negatively impact your performance on the exam.

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of passing a Scrum Master certification exam and becoming a certified Scrum Master.

What Topics are Covered in a Scrum Master Certification?

SM certification training typically covers the following topics:

• The Scrum framework, its values, its principles
• The responsibilities and roles of the Scrum Master, including facilitating the development team and helping remove any barriers
• The events, including Sprint Planning, Review and Retrospective
• The referrals, Spring and Product Backlogs for instance
• Techniques for facilitating Agile teams and helping them adopt the Scrum framework

How much does it cost to become a certified Scrum MASTER?

Training costs for becoming Certified Scrum Master (CSM) typically range from $450 to $1,150 depending on the chosen course. These course fees always include exam costs.

How long does it take to become “SCM” or Scrum Master certified?

The length of time it takes before becoming a certified Scrum Master varies depending on your prior knowledge and experience with Scrum and the specific certification type you are pursuing.

Some programs such as those offered by Scrum Alliance need completion of a two-day training course before taking the certification exam. Others may have more extensive training requirements.

In general, you can expect to spend at least a few weeks preparing for a Scrum Master certification exam, whether through a training course or independent study. This may include completing readings, working through practice questions, and gaining hands-on experience.

Overall, it’s difficult to estimate exactly how long it will take to become a Scrum Master, as it will depend on your individual circumstances and the specific certification program you choose. However, it is generally a good idea to allow several weeks or months to complete the necessary training and prepare for the exam.

Is Scrum Master Certification Difficult?

The CSM exam itself is quite simple: It consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that you have to complete in one hour. To pass this exam, you need to get a score higher than 74%.

The difficulty of a Scrum Master certification program will depend on several factors, including your level of experience with Scrum and your ability to prepare for the exam. Here are a few things to consider to become a CSM, Certified Scrum Master.

• Experience: Most Scrum Master certification programs require some level of experience working with Scrum. If you have little or no experience with the framework, you may find the certification process more difficult.
• Training course or workshop: Many certification programs require you to complete a training course or workshop before taking the exam. These courses can vary in terms of content and difficulty, so it’s important to choose a program that is appropriate for your level of experience.
• Exam preparation: In order to pass the certification exam, you will need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Scrum framework and its practices. This may require reviewing study materials, practicing with sample questions, and reviewing the latest version of the Scrum Guide.

Overall, the difficulty of a Scrum Master certification program will depend on your individual circumstances and your ability to prepare for the exam. It is generally a good idea to allow sufficient time to complete a training course or workshop and review study materials in order to increase your chances of success.

Which is better PMP or CSM?

PMP (Project Management Professional) and CSM (Certified Scrum Master) are two different professional certifications that are designed to recognize different skills and knowledge sets. Here is a comparison of the two:

• The PMP certification is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is recognized worldwide as a standard of excellence for project management professionals. It is geared towards traditional, Waterfall-style project management and focuses on the PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
• The CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance and is focused on the Scrum framework for Agile project management. It is geared towards iterative, Agile development and emphasizes the values and principles of Scrum, as well as the roles, artifacts, and events of the framework.
• Both are highly respected credentials: The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification are both highly respected credentials in the field of project management. However, they are geared towards different approaches to project management and may be more suitable for different individuals and organizations.

Both the PMP and CSM certifications require a certain level of education and experience and include an exam to demonstrate knowledge and understanding. Ultimately, which certification is better for you will depend on your career goals, the type of work you do, and the needs of your organization.

What is the average salary of a scrum master certified professional?

The average salary for a CSM, Certified Scrum Master, ranges from $90,000 to 95,000 per year depending on the source, salary.com or Glassdoor website (US data, year 2021).

Please note that salaries greatly depend on various factors, such as the individual’s level of experience, the industry in which they work, their location, etc. So actual salaries may be slightly different depending on the employer and the individual’s level of education and experience.

Let’s take a CSM working in a major city and in the software industry: this individual may earn a higher salary than a CSM working in a different industry and in a small city.

Which pays more Scrum Master or Project Manager?

It is difficult to make a definitive statement about whether Scrum Masters or Project Managers earn more. Salary depends on several factors such as company size, location, industry, and the individual’s level of education and experience.

However, it is generally considered that project managers with a PMP (Project Management Professional) certification tend to earn better salaries than those without a PMP. The reason is that project management is a more established field and project managers often have more responsibility and a wider range of skills. They also tend to earn higher salaries than Scrum Masters, as project managers have more responsibility and a wider range of skills. The average salary for a project manager is $110,000 per year (in the US).

Similarly, Scrum Masters with a CSM (Certified Scrum Master) certification very often earn more than those without a certification. As indicated above, data from Glassdoor show that the average salary for a Scrum Master is $90,000 per year (in the US).

Is it worth it to become a certified Scrum MASTER?

Whether or not becoming a certified Scrum Master is worth depends on your own priorities and professional objectives. Undoubtedly you will gain additional credentials that will ease your way up the ladder. But you also have to consider the great amount of time and efforts as well as the financial investment you need to make for such a goal.