PSPO I exam-day guide
PSPO I · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
The name on the ID typically must match the name on your registration and certificate. Confirm which ID forms are accepted by the provider before test day.
Stable internet connection plus a backup
Wired or strong Wi-Fi, with a phone hotspot as fallback. Test the connection at the same time of day as your slot.
Working webcam, microphone, and speakers or headset
Needed if your session is remotely proctored. Confirm the exact equipment and browser requirements with the provider at least a few days ahead.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
Clear desk, closed door, no other people entering. Tell household members your exact start and end times.
Clean desktop and silenced phone
Close all other applications and tabs, disable notifications, put the phone out of reach or off unless the proctoring rules say otherwise.
Assessment link and login credentials
Have the confirmation email, username, and password ready and tested the day before. Know how to reach support if the link fails.
Scratch paper or notes only if permitted
Many proctored assessments restrict or forbid scratch paper and reference materials. Confirm the policy with the provider; if in doubt, use none.
Water in a clear container
Small comfort item; confirm whether drinks are allowed in your proctored environment.
Current exam format at hand
Commonly cited as 80 questions in 60 minutes with 85% required to pass, scoped to the current Scrum Guide. Re-confirm the current numbers on the provider's site, as they can change.
A time budget
Roughly 45 seconds per question on average. Decide in advance that you will flag long questions and return to them rather than stalling.
One focused re-read of the Scrum Guide
The questions test the guide's definitions and intent. Read it once more 24-72 hours out; do not try to learn new material on the morning of the test.
A short list of your own weak spots
5-10 concepts you have gotten wrong in practice (e.g., Product Goal, Sprint Goal, ordering vs. prioritizing, who owns what). Skim only this in the final hour.
Plan the day
Confirm your slot, link, ID requirements, and equipment rules with the provider. Re-read the Scrum Guide once end to end. Take one timed practice set and log every miss by topic, not by question.
Drill only your miss list. Practice distinguishing accountabilities: what the Product Owner decides, what the Scrum Master facilitates, what Developers self-manage. Stop adding new sources.
Light review only: Scrum Guide definitions, the Scrum artifacts and their commitments, the events and their timeboxes. Prepare and test your room, equipment, and backup connection. Sleep on a normal schedule.
Eat and hydrate normally. Do a 10-minute skim of your weak-spot list, not a full re-read. Set up the room and log in 20-30 minutes early, run the equipment check, silence devices, and use the bathroom before you start.
Skim the format and controls (flag, back, review). Note the clock. Start with questions you can answer in under 30 seconds to build momentum.
Answer every question as you go; flag anything over ~60 seconds and move on. Watch for 'select TWO/THREE' wording. Read for the best answer from a Product Owner's perspective, and reject options that are absolute, process-prescriptive, or contradict Scrum's empiricist intent.
Return to flagged items, make sure nothing is blank, and re-check multi-select counts. Submit with a minute or two to spare rather than at the wire.
Note your result and score breakdown if one is provided, and save the confirmation email. If you did not pass, confirm the retake policy and waiting period with the provider before rebooking.
Rules to check
The clock is continuous once you start; there is normally no pausing, so plan the whole session as one block. Confirm break rules with the provider - assume the timer keeps running.
Treat the assessment as closed-book unless the provider explicitly permits materials. Do not open other tabs, notes, or messaging apps during the session.
Your ID name must match your registration; mismatches can void the attempt. Confirm acceptable ID and any proctoring check-in steps beforehand.
Every unanswered question typically counts as incorrect. There is no penalty for guessing beyond the lost point, so never leave a blank.
The pass mark is commonly 85% of 80 questions, meaning roughly 12 or fewer misses. Verify the current score, question count, and duration with the provider before you sit.
Retake rules and waiting periods vary and change over time. Do not plan around a free or discounted second attempt without confirming it in writing.
Assessment content is confidential. Do not record, screenshot, or share questions, and do not use recalled questions to prepare - content can change without notice.
If something breaks mid-session (connection, proctoring, browser), stop and contact provider support immediately rather than restarting on your own; documented incidents are usually the only route to a resolution.