CSM study guide
CSM · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is an entry-level credential from Scrum Alliance for people who want to serve as a scrum master, work effectively as any member of a scrum team, or simply build agility into how their team delivers. It is an introductory course covering the scrum framework - team accountabilities, events, and artifacts - along with the agile principles and values the framework rests on. Employers recognize it widely, and the skills it builds (communication, team dynamics, conflict resolution, cross-functional teamwork, coaching, and continuous improvement) transfer well beyond software roles. This practice exam follows the real test structure so there are no surprises on exam day: 50 multiple-choice questions answered in 60 minutes, with 37 correct answers needed to pass. Topics on this exam: Scrum theory and principles, Scrum team accountabilities, Scrum events, and Scrum artifacts. The CSM study guide has 4 sections and about 1,198 words.
01Scrum Theory and Principles
Scrum is a lightweight framework for complex products; it relies on empiricism rather than predictive planning. The three pillars are transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Transparency means the work and its state are visible and understood in the same way by those accountable for it. Inspection means artifacts and progress are examined frequently enough to detect problems.
288 words, about 1 min02Scrum Team Accountabilities
The Scrum Team is a small, self-managing, cross-functional group, typically ten or fewer people. It has three accountabilities, not necessarily three job titles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers. The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing product value and managing the Product Backlog. The Scrum Master is accountable for the team's effectiveness, coaching the team and organization, and ensuring Scrum is understood and enacted.
309 words, about 2 min03Scrum Events
All Scrum events occur inside the Sprint, a fixed-length iteration of one month or less. The Sprint itself is an event that creates consistency and limits risk. Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective each have a purpose and a timebox. Timeboxes are maximum durations, not targets; shorter Sprints usually scale them down.
293 words, about 1 min04Scrum Artifacts
Scrum has three artifacts, each with a commitment that supports transparency. The Product Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what may improve the product; its commitment is the Product Goal, a long-term objective. The Sprint Backlog contains the Sprint Goal, selected items, and a plan for delivering them; its commitment is the Sprint Goal. The Increment is the sum of completed work that meets the Definition of Done; its commitment is the Definition of Done.
308 words, about 2 min