PSM I Certification Guide 2025: How to Pass on Your First Attempt
Want to pivot into Agile roles or validate your Scrum skills fast? The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification from Scrum.org is one of the most respected, rigorous, and student-friendly ways to prove you understand Scrum. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know—exam format, preparation strategies, realistic timelines, and how to turn your PSM I into career momentum. The details here reflect current, official Scrum.org information as of November 18, 2025 (exam specs, rules, and costs can change, so you’ll see direct links to sources throughout for your peace of mind).
What Is the PSM I and Why It Matters
The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) certification is a globally recognized credential that proves you understand the Scrum framework and the Scrum Master accountability as defined in the official Scrum Guide. It’s issued by Scrum.org, the organization founded by Scrum co-creator Ken Schwaber, and it focuses on assessment-based verification rather than attendance-only certificates. That rigor makes it a strong signaling tool for internships, graduate roles, and early-career transitions.
Key highlights:
Issuer: Scrum.org
Focus: Fundamentals of Scrum, empirical mindset, and Scrum Master accountability
Credential: Lifetime (no renewal fees); digital badge via Credly
Pathway: Progression to PSM II and PSM III when you’re ready
Actionable takeaway: If you’re targeting Scrum Master, Agile BA, QA, or junior PM roles, PSM I gives you a credible, low-maintenance credential you can earn quickly without mandatory training.
PSM I Exam Snapshot (Updated 2025)
Here’s the current format you’re preparing for:
Number of questions: 80
Time limit: 60 minutes
Passing score: 85%
Question types: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true/false
Delivery: Online from your own computer (no test center)
Attempt policy: One password = one attempt; passwords do not expire until used
Credential validity: Lifetime, no renewals
Rules you must follow during the exam:
Stay in the active test window; do not navigate away
Do not consult other people
You may use paper references (e.g., a printed Scrum Guide)
AI tools are prohibited
Actionable takeaway: Train for speed and accuracy. Your time budget is less than a minute per question, so practice under timed conditions and cultivate the habit of reading carefully, then deciding quickly.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
No prerequisites. You can buy an attempt and sit the exam without attending any class.
Official PSM course (optional but helpful):
Includes one free PSM I attempt
Free retake if you attempt within 14 days and score below 85%
Usually includes a discount for PSM II once you pass PSM I
Actionable takeaway: If you’re self-disciplined and budget-sensitive, self-study works. If you prefer structure and a safety net (free retake), consider the official course.
What the Exam Really Tests: Content and Competencies
PSM I questions map to Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Competencies and the Scrum Guide. Expect items that check precise understanding of:
Scrum theory and values (empiricism, transparency, inspection, adaptation)
Scrum accountabilities: Scrum Master, Product Owner, Developers
Events: Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective
Artifacts and commitments: Product Backlog/Product Goal, Sprint Backlog/Sprint Goal, Increment/Definition of Done
Coaching and facilitation for self-managing teams
Managing products with agility: value focus, forecasting and release planning, stakeholder collaboration
You’ll also see scenario-style items where two answers seem plausible, but only one fits Scrum’s intent. The difference often hinges on the spirit of empiricism or the exact boundaries of each accountability.
Actionable takeaway: Memorization isn’t enough. Learn why Scrum prescribes what it does, and practice applying principles to tricky scenarios.
How to Prepare: A Student-Friendly Strategy
Use this three-layer approach: Core knowledge, deliberate practice, and scenario fluency.
Core knowledge (Scrum Guide first)
Read the Scrum Guide (current official version dated November 2020) twice in full.
Highlight commitments:
Product Goal (Product Backlog)
Sprint Goal (Sprint Backlog)
Definition of Done (Increment)
Write out, in your own words, who is accountable for what. For instance:
Product Owner: maximizing value, Product Backlog ordering, Product Goal
Scrum Master: effectiveness of the Scrum Team, facilitation/coaching, removing impediments, enabling empirical practice
Developers: creating a usable Increment each Sprint, quality via Definition of Done
Deliberate practice (timed drills)
Scrum Open (repeat until 100% consistently and quickly—aim for under 5–7 minutes)
Product Owner Open and Nexus Open (once or twice each) to expose ambiguity and integration concepts
Keep an error log of why you missed a question and which Scrum Guide line clarifies it
Scenario fluency (nuance and application)
Review Scrum.org’s Professional Scrum Competencies pages for the focus areas listed above
Skim Evidence-Based Management (EBM) to internalize outcome thinking: value, time to market, ability to innovate, current value
Actionable takeaway: Don’t just “do practice tests.” Every error should lead to a specific Scrum Guide line and a brief note on the principle you missed.
Two-Week Study Plan (14 Days)
Day 1–2: Read the Scrum Guide slowly. Summarize each section; note all commitments and their artifacts.
Day 3: Read the Scrum Guide again. Create a one-page map:
Events with purpose, participants, and maximum timebox
Artifacts with commitments
Accountability boundaries and typical anti-patterns (e.g., PO writing all tasks; SM owning delivery dates)
Day 4–5: Scrum Open until you hit 100% repeatedly in <7 minutes. Log every mistake.
Day 6: Product Owner Open and Nexus Open once. Revisit your mistake log.
Day 7: Review “Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework” competency pages. Clarify tricky terms (empiricism, self-management, cross-functionality).
Day 8: “Developing People and Teams”—facilitation, coaching, impediment removal. Write two facilitation tactics for each event.
Day 9: “Managing Products with Agility”—forecasting vs. commitments, release planning, Product Backlog ordering, stakeholder engagement.
Day 10: Skim EBM; draft 3 example outcome metrics and how a Scrum Master might use them to guide conversations.
Day 11: Full timed rehearsal: 60 minutes for 80 Q (use a mix of open assessments and your own scenario questions). Then review.
Day 12: Read your one-page map; refine any fuzzy areas (especially Definition of Done and responsibilities during events).
Day 13: Exam readiness check:
Quiet place booked, reliable internet, backup hotspot
Chrome updated; translation settings prepared if needed
Paper copy of Scrum Guide allowed, if you use one
Understand Standard of Conduct: don’t navigate away; no AI tools; paper references only
Day 14: Exam day:
Quick pass: answer straightforward items
Bookmark tricky ones
Second pass: resolve marked items using elimination and principles
Watch the clock: if you’re stuck, pick the best Scrum-consistent answer and move on
Actionable takeaway: Keep the Scrum Guide as your single source of truth. If your intuition conflicts, the Guide wins.
Cost and Budget Planning
Exam fee: $200 USD per attempt. Your password never expires until used, and each password is for one attempt.
Training: Optional, varies by region and trainer. Typical listings show ranges like USD $795 and PHP 60,000. Official classes include the attempt, plus a free retake if your first attempt (within 14 days) is under 85%.
Student tip: If funds are tight, self-study is very doable. If your school or employer sponsors courses, take advantage of the structured learning and the built-in retake.
Actionable takeaway: Budget $200 and 2–3 focused weeks of study. Consider training only if you want more coaching, community, and the safety of a free retake.
Exam-Day Rules and Best Practices
You must follow Scrum.org’s Standard of Conduct. Key points:
Do not navigate away from the test window
Do not consult other people
You may use paper references (e.g., a printed Scrum Guide)
AI tools are not allowed
Ensure stable internet and a quiet environment
Best practices:
Close all notifications and apps
Use Chrome; update it beforehand
If you need translation, set it up before you start
If something goes wrong technically, take screenshots and contact Scrum.org support
Actionable takeaway: Treat the environment like a proctored exam even if you’re at home. Control the variables you can.
How PSM I Helps Your Career
Resume signal: Many job postings ask for “Scrum certification” or “Scrum.org/CSM.” PSM I lets your resume pass automated filters and signals foundational knowledge.
Hiring conversations: PSM I plus a clear articulation of how you facilitated events, removed impediments, and supported a Product Owner will stand out more than the certificate alone.
Salary context (US): Glassdoor’s median total pay hovers around $125K and Salary.com around $112K (snapshot periods in 2025)—your mileage varies by region, sector, and experience. Think of PSM I as an entry ticket plus a way to accelerate learning on the job.
Actionable takeaway: Use PSM I to open doors; use real project stories to walk through them.
Real-World Scrum Mastering (What to Do with Your PSM I)
Protect empiricism: Make work transparent, inspect outcomes frequently, and adapt collaboratively.
Facilitate effectively: Keep Sprints focused; help the team craft a meaningful Sprint Goal; timebox discussions.
Enable self-management: Coach rather than command. Guide the team to own their plan and quality.
Focus on outcomes: Use Evidence-Based Management ideas—talk value, not just velocity.
Example: You notice Sprint Reviews drift into slide shows. You coach the team to demonstrate a working Increment and invite stakeholders to give feedback early. Over two Sprints, you see sharper Product Backlog ordering and fewer last-minute surprises.
Actionable takeaway: Bring PSM I principles to life by improving one small thing in each event every Sprint.
PSM I vs. CSM (Quick Context)
PSM I (Scrum.org): $200 per attempt; no mandatory course; lifetime with no renewals; rigorous assessment focus.
CSM (Scrum Alliance): Typically requires attending a course; exam attempt bundled; has renewal requirements.
Both are recognized. Choose based on your budget, learning style, and local market expectations.
Actionable takeaway: If you prefer a test-first, self-study approach with no renewals, PSM I fits. If you want mandated training and a community membership model, consider CSM.
FAQs
Q1: Is training required to take PSM I?
A1: No. Training is optional. Many candidates pass via self-study using the Scrum Guide and Scrum Open practice.
Q2: What’s the passing score and exam format?
A2: 80 questions, 60 minutes, 85% pass. Question types include multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true/false.
Q3: Is the exam online and can I use reference materials?
A3: Yes, it’s online. You must stay in the active test window and may use paper references only. AI tools are prohibited.
Q4: Do passwords expire? How about retakes?
A4: Passwords don’t expire until used. If you take the official PSM class and attempt within 14 days but score below 85%, you get a free second attempt.
Q5: How fast are results and what feedback do I get?
A5: You receive your score and a breakdown by focus area via email. Scrum.org doesn’t share specific questions or answers.
Conclusion:
PSM I is a high-signal, low-maintenance certification that fits student and early-career schedules and budgets. With focused preparation—Scrum Guide mastery, open assessments, and scenario practice—you can pass confidently and use the credential to open doors. Then the real growth begins: apply empiricism, facilitate purposefully, and help your team deliver outcomes that matter.
If you’d like, I can tailor a 10-day or 30-day study plan based on your background (developer, BA/PM, QA, or new to Agile), plus a mock interview script to help you talk about Scrum like a pro.
About FlashGenius
FlashGenius is an AI-powered learning platform that helps professionals prepare smarter for today’s most in-demand certifications. While we don’t currently offer CSM practice tests, you’ll find expert-crafted study guides, flashcards, and exam resources for popular project management certifications like PMP® and CAPM®. Our goal is simple: make certification prep faster, clearer, and more effective for learners at every level.