SAFe SSM exam-day guide
SAFe SSM · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Use an unexpired passport, driver's license, or national ID. The name must match your course registration exactly; if your registration name differs (e.g., nickname or maiden name), contact the provider before test day to correct it.
Exam access details and login
Confirm you can sign in to the SAFe Community Platform / exam provider portal and that your exam attempt is visible in your account. Verify the deadline for your included attempt with the provider if it is not shown.
Computer that meets system requirements
Webcam, microphone, and speakers/headset must work. Run any pre-exam system check the provider offers at least a day ahead, and update your browser and OS beforehand.
Stable internet connection
Wired ethernet is preferable to Wi-Fi. Have a backup plan (mobile hotspot or a second device) in case the primary connection drops mid-exam.
Quiet, private, well-lit room
You should be alone, with a door you can close. Lighting should let the proctor see your face clearly. Remove or cover anything on walls that could contain study material.
Cleared desk and surroundings
Nothing on the desk except your computer and permitted items. Put away phones, smartwatches, notes, printed material, and second monitors unless the provider explicitly allows them.
Close unnecessary applications
Shut down email, chat, messaging, and any other browser tabs before launch. Screen-sharing or recording tools running in the background can trigger a proctor flag.
Know the format before you start
The SSM exam is typically 45 questions in 90 minutes, closed book, with a passing score around 73%. Confirm the current question count, time limit, and passing score with the provider, since these can change.
Clear water in a transparent container
Some proctoring services allow a clear glass or bottle of water; others do not. Check the provider's allowed-items list in advance rather than assuming.
Support contact ready
Have the provider's technical support phone number or chat link written on paper next to you so you can reach help quickly if the session fails.
Time buffer
Plan to begin the check-in process 15–30 minutes before your scheduled start so identity verification and the environment check do not eat into your exam time.
Backup device
Have a second computer or tablet nearby, powered off and out of reach, in case the primary machine fails and support authorizes a restart.
Plan the day
Confirm your exam appointment and time zone. Run the provider's system test on the exact computer and network you will use, and fix anything that fails. Re-read the provider's rules on allowed items, breaks, and ID so there are no surprises.
Do a final light review only: the SAFe core values, the Scrum Master's role in the ART, iteration and PI execution, and the continuous improvement/Inspect & Adapt cycle. Stop heavy new studying - this is a consolidation phase, not a learning phase.
Charge laptop, test webcam and mic once more, clear your desk space physically, and write down your login details and support number on paper. Confirm the start time in your local time zone and set two alarms.
Get a normal night's sleep. Do not cram late; the exam is closed book, so recall and reasoning matter more than last-minute facts.
Eat, hydrate, and use the restroom before check-in. Tell housemates not to disturb you and silence phones and doorbells. Log in early and complete ID verification and the room scan calmly.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers like 'best', 'first', or 'not'. Answer every question - there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank. Flag uncertain items and return to them if time allows.
Pace yourself: roughly two minutes per question. At the halfway mark, check that you have answered about half the items. Leave a few minutes at the end to review flagged questions.
If the session freezes or disconnects, do not panic or repeatedly reload. Note the time, try to reconnect once, and contact support with your registration details. Most providers can restore your session or attempt.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. The name on the ID must match your registration; mismatches can bar you from testing, so fix them with the provider in advance.
The exam is closed book. Notes, textbooks, phones, smartwatches, second screens, and other people in the room are not permitted unless the provider's rules explicitly say otherwise.
Expect an identity check and an environment or room scan at the start. Follow the proctor's instructions cooperatively; refusing a check can end your session.
Breaks may be limited or may not stop the clock. Confirm the provider's break policy before test day, and plan to complete the exam in one sitting if breaks are not permitted.
Your result is based on a scaled passing score (commonly around 73% for SSM). Confirm the current passing score and whether results are shown immediately or posted later.
Retakes usually involve a waiting period and a fee. Confirm the exact retake policy, timing, and cost with the provider rather than assuming.
You are typically bound by a confidentiality agreement: do not share, publish, or discuss specific exam questions or answers after the test.
If a technical problem occurs, stay calm, document what happened, and contact provider support promptly. Do not attempt to finish the exam on a different device without authorization.