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How to prepare for the PSM I exam
Updated October 12, 2026 · by the PMCLEAR team
The PSM I (Professional Scrum Master I) assessment from Scrum.org tests how well you understand the Scrum Guide. The questions are short, but the pass mark is high. This guide gives you the official facts, a 14-day study plan and the rules people miss most.
PSM I exam facts
| Fee | US$200 per attempt |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 |
| Time limit | 60 minutes |
| Passing score | 85% (68 of 80 questions) |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiple answer, true/false |
| Languages | English and Japanese (Simplified Chinese through scrum.org.cn) |
| Course required? | No. A course is recommended but optional. |
| Renewal | None. The certification is for life, with no renewal fee. |
| Main source | The Scrum Guide (2020 version) |
Source: Scrum.org, PSM I certification page, checked October 2026. Always check the official page before you buy.
What makes PSM I difficult
You have 60 minutes for 80 questions, which is 45 seconds per question. The pass mark is 85%, so you can miss only 12 questions. Many questions test exact words from the Scrum Guide, such as who is accountable, who decides and what “must” happen. Answers that sound sensible in a real company are often wrong in Scrum.
A 14-day study plan
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | Read the Scrum Guide 2020 twice. It is short. Read slowly the second time and note every “must”, “only” and time limit. |
| Days 3–6 | Work through the free PMCLEAR Scrum course, one or two lessons a day. Each lesson explains one part of the Scrum Guide with a case and questions. |
| Days 7–8 | Do the practical labs. You make Scrum Master decisions in real team situations and see the Scrum Guide logic behind each choice. |
| Days 9–11 | Answer practice questions by topic. Read every explanation, also for the questions you got right. Write down each rule you missed. |
| Days 12–13 | Take full timed tests: 80 questions in 60 minutes. Aim for 90% or more, so you have a safety margin above the 85% pass mark. |
| Day 14 | Read the Scrum Guide one last time, rest, and take the real assessment when you feel calm. |
Go faster or slower: the order matters more than the number of days.
8 Scrum Guide rules people miss
- A Sprint is one month or less. A new Sprint starts right after the previous one ends.
- The Scrum Team is the Product Owner, the Scrum Master and the Developers. It is typically 10 or fewer people.
- The whole Scrum Team creates the Sprint Goal during Sprint Planning. The Developers decide how to do the work.
- Only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, and only when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
- The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers. The Scrum Master makes sure it happens but does not run it.
- An Increment is born as soon as a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done. You can release it before the Sprint Review.
- Each artifact has a commitment: Product Backlog → Product Goal, Sprint Backlog → Sprint Goal, Increment → Definition of Done.
- Time limits for a one-month Sprint: Sprint Planning 8 hours, Sprint Review 4 hours, Sprint Retrospective 3 hours. Shorter Sprints usually have shorter events.
The 2017 vs 2020 trap
Many old practice tests still use words from the 2017 Scrum Guide. The PSM I assessment uses the 2020 version. If a question uses old words, think in the new rules.
| Old (2017) | Now (2020) |
|---|---|
| Development Team | Developers |
| Roles | Accountabilities |
| Self-organizing | Self-managing |
| Three Daily Scrum questions | Any structure the Developers choose |
| No Product Goal | Product Goal is the commitment for the Product Backlog |
| Servant-leader | True leader who serves, accountable for the Scrum Team's effectiveness |
Test yourself now with the free 10-question Scrum Master practice test.
Questions people ask
Do I need to take a course before PSM I?
No. Scrum.org recommends a course, but it is not required. You can buy the assessment and take it online.
How many questions can I get wrong on PSM I?
The pass mark is 85% of 80 questions, so you need 68 correct answers. You can miss up to 12.
Does the PSM I certification expire?
No. According to Scrum.org, PSM I is a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee.
What happens if I fail PSM I?
Each test password is good for one attempt. To try again you buy a new attempt (US$200 at the time of writing).
Five levels, timed 80-question exams like the real test, and every answer explained with the Scrum Guide logic. Start with a free trial. No card needed.
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