Professional Scrum Master I exam-day guide
PSM I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type the provider names for your delivery mode. For online-proctored testing, the name on the ID must match your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether a secondary ID is required.
Know your test delivery mode and login path
Confirm whether you are testing at a test center or online with a remote proctor, and how you will launch the exam (email link, account dashboard, or installed software). Do a dry run of the login path the day before. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Run the system/equipment check (online proctoring)
If testing remotely, complete any required system readiness check on the same computer and network you will use. Install required software ahead of time. Confirm minimum bandwidth and supported browsers/operating systems with the provider.
Quiet, private, well-lit room (online proctoring)
Use a space with a closed door, no other people, and a clear desk. Remove notes, books, second screens, and phones from the area. Proctors commonly require a room scan; confirm the specific rules with the provider.
Stable internet and a backup plan
Have a wired or reliable connection and a fallback (mobile hotspot or phone number for support). Know the provider's support contact before you start. Confirm reconnect/reschedule policy with the provider.
Note the start time in your local time zone
Convert the scheduled time to your local clock and plan to be ready early. Arrive/log in ahead of the appointment; confirm with the provider how early to check in and what happens if you are late.
Know the exam format and time budget
PSM I is a multiple-choice, closed-book assessment with a time limit. Confirm the current number of questions, time limit, and passing score on the official Scrum.org page before exam day, since these can change.
Prepare scratch materials only if allowed
Many proctored exams prohibit paper and pens. Do not assume scratch paper is permitted; confirm with the provider. If not allowed, practice doing the reasoning mentally.
Plan for breaks and physical needs
Eat, hydrate, and use the restroom before starting. Confirm with the provider whether any breaks are permitted and whether the clock stops during them.
Silence devices and notifications
Turn off phones, smartwatches, and desktop notifications, and close other applications. Unauthorized devices in the testing area can void a session.
Read the candidate agreement / rules in advance
Review the conduct and integrity rules you agreed to at registration. Confirm with the provider what is and is not allowed in your testing environment.
Know your result and retake process
Understand how results are reported and what the retake policy is. Confirm current retake terms with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Review the Scrum Guide end to end and re-read the sections you are least sure about, focusing on accountabilities, events, and artifacts and their commitments. Revisit your own notes on why each rule exists, not just what it says.
Do a timed practice set under exam-like conditions to calibrate your pacing. Review every wrong answer to find the underlying misunderstanding rather than memorizing the question.
Confirm logistics: appointment time in your local zone, delivery mode, ID requirements, and any software or system checks. Resolve open questions with the provider now, not on exam day.
Do a light review only: skim the Scrum Guide, your summary notes, and a short list of commonly confused distinctions (e.g., who owns what, which event serves which purpose). Then stop.
Prepare your environment and equipment: charge devices, test your connection, install or update required software, and set out your ID. Get a full night of sleep.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate, and avoid cramming new material. Do a short, calm review of your one-page summary if it helps you settle.
Set up your space and devices, close everything unnecessary, silence notifications, and log in ahead of your appointment time. Have your ID and support contact within reach.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'best', 'most likely', 'not', and 'first'. Answer from the Scrum Guide's framework and values, not from your current workplace's habits.
Manage the clock: note your time limit and question count, set a rough per-question pace, and avoid getting stuck. Flag uncertain items and return to them if the format allows.
For scenario questions, identify the accountable role and the relevant event or artifact, then choose the option most consistent with empiricism, self-management, and focus on value. Eliminate answers that add process, roles, or artifacts the framework does not define.
Before submitting, review flagged questions and confirm you have answered all items. Submit, then follow the provider's process for receiving your result.
Rules to check
Bring the ID the provider requires and ensure the name matches your registration exactly; confirm accepted ID types and any secondary-ID requirement with the provider before exam day.
The exam is closed-book. Do not use notes, search engines, AI tools, messaging apps, or help from another person during the test; treat this as an integrity commitment.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans and showing your workspace if asked. If a proctor instruction conflicts with your assumptions, follow the proctor and confirm policy with the provider afterward.
Do not communicate with anyone during the session, and keep unauthorized devices out of the testing area. Doing so can invalidate your attempt.
Confirm break rules with the provider before starting; if breaks are not permitted, plan to complete the exam in one sitting and understand whether the timer runs continuously.
Understand the scoring before you begin: confirm the current question count, time limit, and passing threshold on the official provider page, as these details can change.
If you hit a technical problem, pause and contact provider support using the channel given at check-in rather than improvising; ask about reconnect or reschedule options.
Results and retake terms are set by the provider. Confirm how results are delivered and what the retake policy is rather than relying on secondhand information.