Eligibility Requirements for CSM Exam
- Attend a CSM Course: Sign up for and attend a two-day training course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). This course will teach you the basics of Scrum and how to be an effective Scrum Master.
- Complete the Course: Make sure you fully participate and complete the entire course. Attendance is key, as there's no substitute for the interactive learning experience this course provides.
Becoming a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a straightforward process that helps you embark on your journey as a Scrum expert. To be eligible for the CSM test, follow these steps:
1. No Formal Education or Prior Experience Needed
One of the most accessible features of the certified scrum master exam is that there is no specific formal education or previous professional experience is needed. Anyone with an interest in Scrum and agile methodologies can enroll in the course, regardless of their background or industry. The course is designed for both beginners and seasoned professionals, giving you a comprehensive foundation to kickstart your Scrum career and prepare for the CSM Exam
2. Recommended Scrum Knowledge
While prior experience is not a prerequisite, some familiarity with agile methodologies or previous experience in project management might make it easier for you to learn from the course. Familiarization with fundamentals of Scrum such as Scrum roles, events, and artifacts is advisable before joining the training. However, the CSM course covers everything you need to know for the scrum master certification exam, so don't worry if you're new to Scrum – the course is designed to take you step-by-step through the Scrum framework.
3. Passing the CSM Exam
Once you complete the training, you’ll need to pass the CSM exam to earn your certification. The exam is designed to test your understanding of Scrum, its principles, and its practices. The CSM exam pattern includes multiple-choice questions designed to check your ability to apply Scrum concepts in various scenarios. You’ll have multiple attempts if needed, so don’t stress if you don’t pass on your first try. Once you pass the CSM test, the certification is valid for two years, after which you can renew it through Scrum Alliance.
Examination Process for Scrum Master
1. Training: First, you attend a two-day training course with a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). This is where you learn all about Scrum.
2. Exam Access: After you complete the training, you'll get a link from the Scrum Alliance. This link is your ticket to take the exam online.
3. Taking the Exam: You can take the exam from your computer, wherever you feel comfortable. The exam is usually made up of multiple-choice questions about what you learned in the training.
4. Time and Attempts: You’ll have a certain amount of time to complete the exam, and if you don’t pass on the first try, you usually get a couple more attempts without any extra cost.
5. Passing: If you answer enough questions correctly and pass the exam, congratulations! You’ll become a Certified ScrumMaster.
Once you completed the CSM course, the scrum master exam process is simple and structured. Here's a breakdown:
Preparation and Prerequisites
Attend the CSM Course: The first step is attending a two-day, in-person or virtual Scrum training with a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course is interactive and immersive, focusing on the Scrum framework, its roles, events, and artifacts.
Study the Course Material: After the course, review the materials provided, including your course notes and any supplementary reading materials, to prepare for the scrum master certification exam. Scrum Alliance provides resources to help you prepare for the CSM exam pattern, and it's advisable to go through them to refresh your knowledge.
Taking the CSM Exam: Step-by-Step Guide
You can take the exam from your computer, wherever you feel comfortable. The exam is usually made up of multiple-choice questions about what you learned in the training.
Here's what you need to know about the certified scrum master exam process:
- Exam Access: After completing the training, you will receive a link from the Scrum Alliance to access the CSM exam. The exam is taken online, so you can complete it from the comfort of your own home or office. No need for a proctor – you'll have the flexibility to take it on your schedule within a given time frame.
- Exam Format: The CSM test consists of multiple-choice questions. It's designed to test your knowledge of Scrum concepts and principles covered in the training. The certified scrum master exam questions are designed to test your understanding of Scrum principles and real-world scenarios. The CSM exam pattern is designed to assess both theoretical and practical application of Scrum concepts.
- Time Limit: You will have 60 minutes to complete the CSM Exam. During this time, you'll answer multiple-choice questions that gauge your understanding of Scrum's key principles. Make sure you're comfortable and ready to focus during this time.
- Passing Score: To pass the exam, you'll need to score at least 74% (37 out of 50 questions). The certified scrum master exam questions are designed to assess both your theoretical knowledge and practical application of Scrum concepts. While the exam is not overly complex, it's essential that you have a solid understanding of the material.
Post-Examination Process
Once you've completed the scrum master certification exam and passed, here's what happens next:
- Certification Award: Upon passing the exam, you will receive your CSM certification from Scrum Alliance. This certification demonstrates your ability to apply Scrum principles in real-world situations effectively, significantly enhancing your career prospects.
- Scrum Alliance Membership: As a CSM holder, you'll become a member of Scrum Alliance, which includes access to a global network of Scrum professionals, training resources, and ongoing support for your Scrum journey. You will also be eligible to attend Scrum-related events, workshops, and webinars organized by the Scrum Alliance.
- Certification Renewal Process: Your CSM certification is valid for two years. After this period, you'll have to earn Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and to keep your certification active pay a renewal fee. The Scrum Alliance also provides ongoing learning opportunities, so you can stay up-to-date with Scrum practices and continue to develop your skills.
CSM Exam Fee
CSM Certification Renewal Process
| Level | Certification Name | SEU required | Fee per term |
Foundation | CSM | 20 | $100 |
Advanced | A-CSM | 30 | $175 |
Professional | CSP-SM | 40 | $250 |
1. What is the primary role of a ScrumMaster?
CSM Certification Process- Training Course: Sign up for and attend a 2-day training course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). This course will teach you all about Scrum and how to be a ScrumMaster.
- Complete the Course: Make sure to attend all parts of the course to get the full learning experience.
- Take the Exam: After finishing the course, you'll get a link to take the CSM exam online. The exam has multiple-choice questions based on what you learned in the course.
- Pass the CSM test: Answer the questions on the exam. You need to get a certain number of questions right to pass.
- Get Certified: Once you pass the exam, you become a Certified ScrumMaster! You'll get a certificate from the Scrum Alliance, and you can start using your new skills in your job. and also know about the Is Agile is Still Relevant.
Why Certify with Scrum Alliance?
Choosing to get certified with Scrum Alliance is more than just earning a credential. It's about becoming part of a global network, gaining practical skills, and opening doors for career growth. Here's why so many professionals around the world choose Scrum Alliance for their Scrum certification:
1. Global Recognition
When you opt for Scrum Alliance, you're gaining a credential that's universal. Scrum Alliance, with a network of close to 1.5 million agile practitioners, is the first nonprofit certifying organization for Scrum and agile methodology. Whether you're interested in advancing your career or networking with peers, your certification will be respected anywhere in the world.
2. Trainer-Led Learning
One of Scrum Alliance's special features is the trainer-led courses. You'll be learning from Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs®), who are experienced practitioners that not only excel in Scrum but also understand how to make the learning fun and applicable. Their practical knowledge helps you gain a deep, hands-on experience, and they're readily available to support you in applying what you've learned to actual situations on the job.
3. Strong Community Support
Not only do you receive a certificate upon being certified by Scrum Alliance, but you become part of a worldwide community. You'll become part of a dynamic network of Scrum practitioners who are equally as invested in agile practices as you are. You can learn from other people, go to events, join local user communities, and take part in workshops to keep growing as a Scrum expert. It's all about making connections and getting guidance as you advance in your agile journey.
4. Focus on Real-World Application
Scrum Alliance classes are not about theory – they're about getting you ready for real-world challenges. What you learn is not so much about the "what" of Scrum, but the "how" – how to use Scrum principles in real work environments to get better collaboration from you and your teams, deliver results more quickly, and handle change with ease. You'll leave with hands-on skills that you can apply immediately to make a tangible difference at work.
5. Career Growth & Credibility
It's not so much learning Scrum that getting certified by Scrum Alliance is all about – it's about opening the doors to career advancement. With agile techniques being in great demand, Scrum-certified professionals are quite capable of commanding a higher pay packet and more career growth opportunities. As a certified ScrumMaster, you'll also receive a two-year membership with Scrum Alliance, complete with access to exclusive resources, tools, and discounts to aid you in further development and learning in your professional life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long does it take to become Scrum Master certified?
The time it takes to become Scrum Master certified primarily depends on the two-day mandatory training course you need to attend. After completing this course, you can typically take the CSM exam shortly thereafter. So earliest you could become a Certified Scrum Master within two days, otherwise it depends on you considering the factors course attendance and additional time for scheduling and taking the exam.
Q2. Can I take the CSM exam without training?
No, you cannot take the CSM exam without attending the mandatory two-day training course led by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The Scrum Alliance requires this training to ensure that candidates have a comprehensive understanding of Scrum principles and practices, as well as the role of a Scrum Master, before taking the exam.
Q3. Is the CSM exam hard?
The difficulty of the CSM exam can vary depending on your background and familiarity with Scrum methodologies. For individuals with experience in agile environments or those who have thoroughly absorbed the material presented in the CSM training course, the exam may not be particularly challenging. Infact it is an open book exam.
Q4. What are the benefits of CSM certification?
CSM certification is an industry benchmark for identifying candidates with knowledge of Agile concepts. Having an Agile mindset not only makes you marketable, but it also accelerates one’s career growth. With MNCs like IBM, Wipro, Cognizant and TCS investing in Scrum, CSM certified candidates have bright career prospects.
Also Read: Scrum Master Certification Benefits
Q5. What type of a job role can one expect after CSM certification?
A scrum team member, Scrum Coach, Scrum Master, Scrum Product Owner, and Agile Coach are some of the job roles that one can expect after the certification.
Q6. How can one gain the Scrum Educational Credits that are needed to keep the certification valid?
The central idea behind the educational credits system is to encourage scrum masters to keep up with the latest scrum frameworks even after they have answered the CSM exam questions correctly. The credits can be obtained by reading blogs, attending webinars, Agile events, watching Scrum videos and several other ways. One hour's worth of effort in knowledge transfer on Scrum is seen as one education credit.
Q7. Is CSM Certification Better Than PMP?
It depends on your career focus. CSM is ideal for Agile and Scrum methodologies, making it great for roles in Agile environments. PMP is broader, covering traditional project management techniques across various industries. Choose CSM for Scrum expertise and PMP for comprehensive project management knowledge.
Q8. What is the Cost of the CSM Exam in India?
The CSM exam cost in India is generally included in the two-day training fee, which ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹40,000. The exam itself has no additional cost, and if you fail to pass on your first attempt, dont worry, you can still retake the exam twice for free within 60 days.
