The PSM™ course equips the learner with expertise in Scrum theory, Practices and methodology. The primary responsibility of a Professional Scrum Master is to promote, be supportive of Scrum and help others understand its value, rules and principles.
In addition, as a Professional Scrum Master, you will offer support and service to the organization. Therefore, the PSM™ certification comes in levels based on your mastery of Scrum and the ability to support the development team.
The most basic one is Professional Scrum Master 1 – PSM™1. So, to become a Professional Certified Scrum Master, you need to take a PSM certification exam and pass it with a very high score.
Do you want to become a Professional Certified Master in 2021? You will need to study hard and prepare adequately to take the PSM™ exam. Here is a preparation guide for you. Follow it and be on your toes if you want to be certified as a Professional Scrum Master.
Preparing for a PSM™ Exam
You cannot expect to do well in any exam if you do not prepare adequately. How well you perform depends on how much you have prepared to take your exam.
Though preparations for a PSM™ exam may vary, some of the most important aspects that most guides will follow for a PSM™ exam include;
Investing in a Two-Week Strategy
While preparing to take the PSM™ exam, make a two-week plan with 3-4 hours daily. You may adjust the timing accordingly.
Divide your preparation strategy into week1 and week2 to be more effective in your planning.
Week 1
During the first week, these steps will constitute your immediate course of action.
Step 1: Register at Scrum.org
When you register at scrum.org, the registration will create your account and quickly give you access to Scrum blogs, training schedules, and resources. In addition, an invoice will set your state and pace for the coming exam.
Step 2. Download a Scrum Guide
The latest Scrum Guide is the Nov.2020 Issue. Embracing this, it would be best if you embarked on reading and understanding the in-depth knowledge, concepts and ideas contained in the 14- page document.
As you study the Scrum guide, you will note the open-to-interpretation nature of the document. You to interpret your copy of the guide with footnotes.
Step3: Understand Scrum
This Scrum guide Document will supply you with links to blogs, articles, and resources to answer your questions. Furthermore, it will give you a peek into its terms and concepts as referred to in the document.
Step 4: Take the Open Scrum Assessments
Take the open Scrum assessments as many times as you may for practice. The exams will help you to get comfortable and familiarize with the interface.
After taking each open scrum assessment, save the pdf details and the correct answer you might have missed.
Eventually, you will develop a comprehensive question and answer bank that will show you what to expect in the coming exam.
Week 2
As you inch closer to your PSM™ exam date, modify your strategy and take final steps towards the exam day.
Step 1: Buy the PSM™ Assessment
Buying the PSM™ assessment serves as a pointer to the direction in which you are aiming. Notably, you do not need to set a date at the time of purchase. You are allowed to reschedule to suit your timing.
You can use the code mailed to you by Scrum.org to take the exam when you feel ready because you have to pass the exam to have any impact.
Step 2: Time Yourself
Take the open assessment, which gives your 30 questions for 30 minutes and time yourself each time. If you can increase your speed up to 15-20 minutes, you are good to go!
Further, you will note that the questions are from 100-question pool which circulates and after 6-8 times of taking these free assessments, the questions will become familiar.
Be Focused
Passing an exam is not just about studying. Staying focused during the exam period is equally important.
How do you make sure you do not get distracted while you are taking your exam?
- Would you mind selecting a time when you are free and unhurried by issues, possibly avoiding the morning shift to avoid crowding?
- Take the exam in a quiet place free from distractions and noises.
- Clear and remove junk from your desk and make yourself comfortable. A clear desk with maybe only a bottle of drinking water will enhance your concentration and help you stay the course.
Be a Good Time Manager.
Exams allow a certain amount of time for each question. In Scrum Assessments, 80 questions take an hour, so each question is given 45 seconds. Following this, you cannot afford to spend too much time on one problem as you will eat into the time of the next question.
Thus, to manage your time effectively;
- Flag any doubtful problems and come back to answer them later.
- Don’t use search engines like Google to get answers to complicated problems. Otherwise, you will waste time. If you can’t find the answer, take your best guess and move on.
- Work speedily and waste no time. With 45 seconds per question, you cannot afford to work at leisure.
Study Widely
It would be better if you had a deep understanding of the PSM™ guide to answer the questions correctly and attain a high mark.
