How hard is the PSM I exam?

PSM I is moderately challenging due to the high 85% passing threshold. It has 80 questions with a 60-minute time limit. While the Scrum Guide is only 13 pages, the exam tests deep understanding, not surface-level memorization. Many questions are situational — presenting a scenario and asking what the Scrum Master should do. Most candidates need 2-4 weeks of focused preparation.

How much does PSM I cost?

The PSM I exam costs $200 USD — a one-time fee with no annual renewal required. No mandatory training is needed; you can self-study and register directly on Scrum.org. The exam is taken online from anywhere, at any time. If you fail, you can retake it for another $200. Compared to CSM ($1,000+ with mandatory training), PSM I is significantly more affordable.

PSM I vs CSM — which is better?

PSM I (Scrum.org) and CSM (Scrum Alliance) are both respected, but differ significantly. PSM I: $200, no training required, 85% pass score, lifetime validity, harder exam. CSM: ~$1,000+, mandatory 2-day training, easier exam, requires annual renewal ($100/year). PSM I is considered more rigorous and is preferred by many employers. CSM is better if you value instructor-led training.

No — PSM I from Scrum.org never expires. Once you pass, the certification is valid for life with no renewal fees or continuing education requirements. This is a major advantage over CSM (Scrum Alliance), which requires annual renewal. Your PSM I credential is permanently listed on the Scrum.org certification directory.

Scrum Master PSM I MCQs with Answers 2026 -

40+

MCQs Covered

Exam Questions

85%

Pass Score

2026

Updated For

The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) from Scrum.org is the gold-standard certification for Scrum Masters and Agile practitioners worldwide. Based on the official Scrum Guide (2020), PSM I validates your understanding of Scrum theory, roles (accountabilities), events, artifacts, and the Scrum Master’s role as a servant-leader. Unlike other Agile certifications, PSM I requires no mandatory training — you can self-study and take the exam directly from Scrum.org. With an 85% passing threshold, this exam demands deep understanding, not just memorization. These fully solved MCQs prepare you to pass confidently.

📘 Scrum Theory
& Values
👥 Scrum Team
Accountabilities
📅 Scrum
Events
📋 Scrum
Artifacts
🧭 Scrum Master
Role

Table of Contents

Scrum Theory & Values

Foundation of Scrum Framework

Question 01

Scrum is founded on which underlying theory?

APredictive planning theory

BEmpiricism (empirical process control) ✅

CWaterfall methodology

DSix Sigma process improvement

💡 Explanation: Scrum is founded on empiricism and lean thinking. Empiricism asserts that knowledge comes from experience and making decisions based on what is observed. The three pillars of empiricism are: Transparency (the process is visible to all), Inspection (frequently check progress and artifacts), and Adaptation (adjust the process when deviations are detected). These three pillars are heavily tested on PSM I.

Question 02

Which of the following are the FIVE Scrum values?

ACommitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, Courage ✅

BTransparency, Inspection, Adaptation, Respect, Trust

CSpeed, Quality, Communication, Value, Feedback

DPlan, Execute, Review, Adapt, Deliver

💡 Explanation: The five Scrum values are Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, and Courage (remember: C-FORC). Commitment — to achieving goals. Focus — on Sprint work. Openness — about work and challenges. Respect — team members as capable individuals. Courage — to do the right thing and work on tough problems. Option B mixes values with the three pillars. These values are directly from the Scrum Guide.

Question 03

What is the maximum recommended size of a Scrum Team according to the Scrum Guide?

A7 people

B10 or fewer people ✅

C15 people

DThere is no size limit

💡 Explanation: The Scrum Guide (2020) states the Scrum Team is “typically 10 or fewer people.” This includes the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers. Smaller teams communicate better and are more productive. If teams grow too large, they should consider reorganizing into multiple cohesive Scrum Teams sharing the same Product Goal, Product Backlog, and Product Owner.

Scrum Team Accountabilities

Developers, Product Owner, Scrum Master

Question 04

Who is responsible for ordering the items in the Product Backlog to maximize the value delivered by the Scrum Team?

AThe Scrum Master

BThe Product Owner ✅

CThe Developers

DThe stakeholders

💡 Explanation: The Product Owner is the single person accountable for maximizing the value of the product and managing the Product Backlog. This includes ordering backlog items, ensuring the backlog is transparent and understood, and making clear what the Scrum Team will work on next. The PO is one person, not a committee — they may delegate work but remain accountable. This is one of the most frequently tested concepts.

Question 05

Who decides HOW the work will be done during a Sprint?

AThe Scrum Master

BThe Product Owner

CThe Developers ✅

DThe project manager

💡 Explanation: The Developers are self-managing — they decide how to turn Product Backlog items into Increments of value. No one (not even the Scrum Master or PO) tells the Developers how to do their work. The PO decides WHAT to build (backlog ordering), Developers decide HOW to build it. The Scrum Master serves the team as a facilitator and coach. Note: there is no “project manager” role in Scrum.

Question 06

According to the 2020 Scrum Guide, what is the Scrum Master’s primary accountability?

AAssigning tasks to Developers

BEstablishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide — serving the team, PO, and organization ✅

CManaging the Product Backlog

DReporting Sprint progress to management

💡 Explanation: The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum as defined in the Scrum Guide. They do this by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice, serving the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and the organization. The SM is a true leader who serves — coaching, facilitating, and removing impediments. They do NOT assign tasks, manage the backlog, or report to management.

Scrum Events

Sprint, Planning, Daily, Review, Retro

Question 07

What is the maximum length of a Sprint in Scrum?

A2 weeks

B3 weeks

COne calendar month ✅

DThere is no maximum length

💡 Explanation: The Scrum Guide states Sprints are fixed-length events of one month or less. Shorter Sprints can be employed to generate more learning cycles and limit risk. Most teams use 2-week Sprints, but 1, 3, or 4-week Sprints are also valid. The Sprint length is consistent — once decided, it should not change from Sprint to Sprint. A new Sprint starts immediately after the previous Sprint ends.

Question 08

What is the time-box for the Daily Scrum?

A15 minutes ✅

B30 minutes

C1 hour

DAs long as needed

💡 Explanation: The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event for the Developers (not the whole Scrum Team) held at the same time and place every working day of the Sprint. Its purpose is to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary. The Scrum Master is not required to attend — it’s the Developers’ event. The traditional “three questions” format is optional in the 2020 Scrum Guide.

Question 09

During which Scrum event does the Scrum Team inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog based on stakeholder feedback?

ASprint Planning

BSprint Review ✅

CSprint Retrospective

DDaily Scrum

💡 Explanation: The Sprint Review is held at the end of the Sprint to inspect the Increment and adapt the Product Backlog. The Scrum Team presents what was accomplished and stakeholders provide feedback. It is a working session, NOT a presentation or status report. The Sprint Retrospective (different event) focuses on improving the team’s process. Know the difference — Review = product, Retrospective = process.

Scrum Artifacts & Commitments

Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment

Question 10

Each Scrum artifact contains a commitment. What is the commitment for the Product Backlog?

ASprint Goal

BProduct Goal ✅

CDefinition of Done

DVelocity

💡 Explanation: The 2020 Scrum Guide introduced commitments for each artifact: Product Backlog → Product Goal (the future state of the product), Sprint Backlog → Sprint Goal (the single objective for the Sprint), Increment → Definition of Done (quality standard). This artifact-commitment mapping is heavily tested on PSM I. Velocity is NOT a Scrum commitment — it’s simply a metric.

Question 11

What is the Definition of Done in Scrum?

AA list of tasks assigned to each Developer

BA formal description of the state of the Increment when it meets the quality measures required for the product ✅

CThe Product Owner’s acceptance criteria

DA burndown chart showing remaining work

💡 Explanation: The Definition of Done (DoD) is a shared understanding of what it means for work to be complete. It creates transparency and ensures the Increment meets quality standards. If the organization doesn’t have a DoD, the Scrum Team must create one. The DoD applies to every Increment — a Product Backlog item is not “Done” until it meets the DoD. It is the commitment for the Increment artifact.

Scrum Master in Practice

Scenarios & Situational Questions

Question 12

During the Sprint, a stakeholder asks a Developer to add an urgent feature directly. What should happen?

AThe Developer should add it immediately since it’s urgent

BThe Scrum Master should reject the request

CThe stakeholder should be directed to the Product Owner, who decides on backlog priority ✅

DThe team should hold an emergency meeting to vote

💡 Explanation: Only the Product Owner manages the Product Backlog and sets priorities. Stakeholders should never directly assign work to Developers. The correct flow is: stakeholder → Product Owner → backlog refinement → Sprint Planning. The PO can negotiate scope with Developers during the Sprint, but only the PO can change backlog priorities. This protects the team’s focus and the Sprint Goal.

Question 13

Who has the authority to cancel a Sprint?

AThe Scrum Master

BThe Product Owner ✅

CThe Developers

DThe stakeholders

💡 Explanation: Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint. A Sprint would be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete — for example, due to a major business change, technology shift, or market disruption. Sprint cancellations are rare and consume resources. If cancelled, completed “Done” items are reviewed, and the PO typically re-prioritizes remaining work for the next Sprint.

Question 14

When does a Sprint end in Scrum?

AWhen all Product Backlog items are completed

BWhen the Product Owner decides the work is sufficient

CWhen the predetermined time-box expires ✅

DWhen the team runs out of Sprint Backlog items

💡 Explanation: A Sprint always ends when its time-box expires — whether or not all planned work is completed. Sprints have a fixed duration that cannot be shortened or extended. Incomplete items return to the Product Backlog for re-prioritization. A new Sprint starts immediately after the previous one ends. This time-boxing is fundamental to Scrum’s empirical approach — it creates regular opportunities for inspection and adaptation.

🔄 The Scrum Framework at a Glance

3 Accountabilities

Product Owner
Scrum Master
Developers

5 Events

Sprint
Sprint Planning
Daily Scrum
Sprint Review
Sprint Retrospective

3 Artifacts

Product Backlog
→ Product Goal
Sprint Backlog
→ Sprint Goal
Increment
→ Definition of Done

💎 5 Scrum Values

🎯

Commitment

To achieving goals

🔍

Focus

On Sprint work

📖

Openness

About challenges

🤝

Respect

For team members

🦁

Courage

To do the right thing

💡 PSM I Exam Tips

Read the Scrum Guide 2020 — Multiple Times

The entire PSM I exam is based on the 2020 Scrum Guide (only 13 pages). Read it at least 5 times. Every answer can be found in or derived from the Scrum Guide. Pay close attention to changes from previous versions — especially the removal of “roles” (now “accountabilities”) and the addition of commitments for each artifact.

85% Pass Threshold — Don’t Rush

You need 68 out of 80 correct — only 12 wrong answers allowed. With 60 minutes for 80 questions, you have 45 seconds per question. Flag difficult questions and return to them. Many questions have subtle wording that changes the correct answer. Read every option carefully before answering.

Use Scrum.org Open Assessments — They’re Free

Scrum.org provides free practice assessments (Scrum Open, Product Owner Open, Developer Open) that use the same question format as the real exam. Take them repeatedly until you consistently score 95%+. Many real exam questions are very similar to the open assessment questions.