Organizations are constantly seeking ways to increase productivity, deliver value to customers, and stay competitive. Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, have emerged as a game-changer in achieving these goals.
The Professional Scrum Master 1 certification is a stepping stone towards excellence in Agile practices. But with a passing score of over 85%, it may be challenging to pass especially if you’re new to this domain. But not to worry, in this article, we will be covering all you need to know about the PSM1 certification from its cost, benefits, and salary prospects to preparation tips as well.
What is the PSM 1 certification?
The Professional Scrum Master 1 (PSM 1) certification is a globally recognized certification program offered by Scrum.org. It is designed to validate the knowledge and understanding of individuals in the role of a Scrum Master, who are responsible for promoting and supporting the adoption of Scrum practices within their teams and organizations.
Earning the PSM 1 certification demonstrates an individual’s commitment to Agile values and principles and signifies their ability to apply Scrum practices effectively. This certification is a valuable credential for professionals seeking career advancement opportunities in Agile and Scrum-related roles and is highly regarded by organizations that embrace Agile methodologies.
Overview of the PSM1 Exam
To obtain the PSM 1 certification, candidates must pass an online assessment that evaluates their understanding of Scrum principles, roles, events, and artifacts. The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions and is time-limited. It requires a solid grasp of Scrum practices and the ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.
- Format: Multiple-Choice Questions
- Passing Score: 85%
- No of questions: 80
- Length of Exam: 60 minutes
Cost Of PSM1 Certification
The cost of the PSM I test is $150 USD per attempt.
What will you learn from the PSM 1 exam?
PSM I includes questions from the following Focus Areas as defined in the Professional Scrum Competencies.
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework:
Empiricism, Scrum Values, Scrum Team, Events, Artifacts, Done
- Developing People and Teams:
Self-Managing Teams, Facilitation, Coaching, and Mentoring
- Managing Products with Agility:
Forecasting & Release Planning, Product Value, Product Backlog Management, Stakeholders and customers
Benefits of PSM1 Certification
The Professional Scrum Master Certification is perhaps one of the most sought-after certifications by individuals in the software development and agile project management domain. There are a plethora of benefits that will come with acquiring the PSM1 certification. Here are some of them:
Career Advancement Opportunities
The PSM 1 certification can provide valuable opportunities for career growth. As organizations increasingly embrace Agile methodologies, the demand for certified Scrum Masters continues to grow. A PSM 1 certification sets you apart from the crowd, and improves your marketability, making you an attractive candidate for leadership roles, higher-paying positions, and cross-functional team opportunities.
Improved Project Delivery
Certified Professional Scrum Masters possess the knowledge and skills to ensure efficient and effective project delivery. They understand how to organize work into manageable increments, known as sprints, and employ iterative and incremental development approaches. This results in a more streamlined and predictable project execution, reducing risks and increasing the likelihood of delivering a high-quality product.
Improved Team Performance
A certified Scrum Master is adept at coaching and guiding their teams. They encourage self-organization, promote cross-functional collaboration, and remove hurdles that may hinder productivity. Through this, the team’s performance is enhanced, leading to increased motivation and satisfaction among team members.
In addition, implementing modern Scrum practices and introducing an Agile framework to a team will help you manage the project quickly thus increasing the organization’s value as a whole.
Continuous Improvement
Scrum Masters play an essential role in discovering inefficiencies in the project process, identifying areas of improvement, and assisting the team for effectively carrying out the project goals thus striving for continuous improvement.
With the PSM 1 certification, professionals gain expertise in implementing continuous improvement practices, fostering a culture of learning, as well as driving incremental enhancements in the development process.
Global Recognition
The PSM 1 Certification is provided by Scrum.org which is a globally renowned body for its rigorous and standardized approach to Scrum certifications.
This global certification can, hence, help you gain a very valuable competitive edge against other applicants in the job market.
Salary Prospects
Greater earning potential is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why professionals opt for a Scrum certification in 2023. Hence, here is the analysis and salary trend of the Professional Scrum Master across different facets.
Salary Trends By Job Title
Salaries vary by job title due to a combination of factors, including the level of skills and qualifications required, the responsibilities and scope of the job, as well as the experience and expertise of the individual. Combining all these factors, different job titles, and their respective annual salaries according to ZipRecruiter are mentioned below:
Job Title | Annual Salary |
Master Coach | $134,168 |
Lead Agile Coach | $134,168 |
Agile Coach Contract | $134,168 |
Agile Scrum Coach | $130,000 |
Agile Coach Scrum Master | $130,000 |
Salary Trends By Location/ City
Salaries for professionals with the PSM1 certification may also vary depending on location. The table below demonstrates how salaries vary from city to city in the US. The data has been taken from ZipRecruiter, showing annual salaries in various cities in the US.
City | Annual Salary |
San Francisco, CA | $148,061 |
Fremont, CA | $142,945 |
San Jose, CAt | $142,725 |
Oakland, CA | $140,819 |
Antioch, CA | $137,815 |
Lebanon, NH | $136,797 |
Hayward, CA | $136,363 |
Seattle, WA | $136,135 |
Passing Tips
Such stringent criteria provide more teeth to its certificate than the other certifications provided in the marketplace.
1) Make Scrum Guide your best friend
The Scrum Guide by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland should be your closest companion throughout the preparation process. Make sure you thoroughly read and go over it enough times that all topics become crystal clear for you.
Let the first read be a scan of all the major topics within in Scrum framework and all the sub-topics it encompasses. This overview will allow you to decide where you can comfortably start. With subsequent reads, you can delve into the topics and concepts more deeply. Read the guide as many times as you feel is required for you to feel confident about the concepts being tested.
It is critical to get a good grasp on every single aspect of the Scrum framework, relationships between Scrum roles, events, artifacts, and related topics on Scum Master accountability and how Scrum is actually applied. Some questions can be really tricky but their deep application of theory is mentioned in the scrum guide hence, it is vital that you spend sufficient time preparing from it. Once you feel you’ve understood the concepts, it’s time to move on to the next stage of the preparation.
2) Using the Scrum Open Assessment Exam
The Scrum Open Assessment Exam is an essential part of the preparation process. In order to ensure success in the actual PSM1 exam, it is important to test yourself in a similar situation with similar questions. Using the Scrum Open assessment exam can be a great tool to assess your readiness for the exam.
It can help you gauge your weak areas that need more work and attention. Make sure to attempt the assessment exam as many times as possible until you get a high enough score that builds your confidence and you’re satisfied that you’re fully prepared.
Make sure to evaluate the reasons behind a low score, taking note of the areas that are causing you the most trouble, and then working on those areas specifically to make sure you’re well-versed in all the topics.
3) Use the test/ revise strategy
The only way you can successfully finish and pass your exam is when you’re clear on all concepts. But how do you figure out if you’ve truly understood all the topics? Testing.
Testing your knowledge by attempting questions will help get a better understanding of which topics you need to work on. Once you’ve figured out your weak spots, you go back to revise those topics and complete further questions, testing your knowledge of them and if you’re still lacking, you keep repeating the process until you’re getting all the questions right.
4) Make use of our PSM1 exam dumps
If you’re still feeling a little underprepared or unable to really grasp some of the more complex topics, further practice can truly do wonders. At Dumpsgate, we have our own PSM 1 exam dumps that contain real sample questions to not only give candidates a better understanding of what to expect in the exam but also improve their overall confidence level by combatting exam anxiety before the exam.
5) Exam day prep
On the exam day, review the exam guide and try to go through any notes that you may have prepared. However, the most important tip is perhaps getting a good sleep before your exam. Even a one-hour exam can be tiring and you need your mind alert when you read through the questions.
Conclusion
With an increasing number of organizations adopting the Agile methodologies, Scrum masters have become an essential tool in their arsenal, fostering innovation, streamlining processes, and ensuring project deliveries on time.
By investing in the PSM 1 certification, professionals position themselves as Agile champions, equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead teams to success in a rapidly evolving world. Therefore, whether you’re an aspiring scrum master or an experienced practitioner, the PSM1 certification can help you transform your career trajectory and unlock the full potential of Agile practices in your professional journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PSM1 Certification worth it?
If you’re planning to land a job in the role of a professional scrum master, the PSM1 is a great first step to achieving that. It will get you familiar with the basics and generics of the scrum framework and all that it encompasses. Upon completing the following two assessment levels (PSM2 and PSM3), an individual can successfully land the role of a professional scrum master.
On its own, the certification validates you have generic knowledge and skills of the Scrum framework. It shows your ability to adapt and your passion for continuous professional development, opening doors to better-earning prospects, improved job retention, and professional growth.
Since the PSM1 is such an essential aspect of becoming a scrum master, providing various benefits, the PSM1 certification is definitely worth it!
Is PSM1 Certification Difficult?
The PSM1 exam has a relatively high passing requirement, which is 85%. However, with sufficient practice, you can conquer even the most difficult questions. Our Dumpsgate PSM1 exam dumps can help candidates get prepared for even the most complex questions as they contain genuine questions that are supported by verified answers to help individuals gauge they preparation.
Does PSM1 expire?
The PSM1 certification has lifelong validity and does not expire. In addition, there is also no need to renew it.
What is the pass rate for the PSM1 exam?
Candidates appearing in the Professional Scrum Master 1 (PSM1) certification exam must score at least 85%.
How many attempts are there for the PSM1 Certification exam?
If you are preparing from the Scrum.org original course and fail your PSM1 assessment within 14 days of completing the course, candidates are eligible for a second attempt, free of cost.
Are there any exam dumps available for the PSM1 exam?
Yes! We at dumpsgate have our very own Professional Scrum Master 1(PSM1) exam dumps containing real exam questions with verified answers, aiding candidates to prepare for their certification more efficiently and effectively.
What does a Scrum Master do?
They are responsible for facilitating the scrum process under Agile project management. Scrum masters aid the team in applying the scrum principles effectively. They focus on promoting continuous improvement and enabling the team to deliver high-quality products efficiently.