Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is one of the most sought-after professional certifications in the agile world. If you are looking to make a career in agile, getting CSM certification is a must.
This blog post will discuss everything you need to know about CSM certification! We will cover eligibility criteria, exam format, benefits of getting certified, and more! So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Eligibility Criteria For CSM Certification:
In order to be eligible for the CSM certification, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have completed a Scrum Alliance Approved Course
- Apply payment of the certification fee
- Agree to abide by the Scrum Alliance Code of Ethics
- Renew your membership with Scrum Alliance every year
- Abide by the values outlined in the Scrum Alliance Code of Conduct.
Provide identification information and professional references. Once your application is approved, you will be asked to provide additional contact information for your professional connections. These individuals will be contacted by email and asked to complete an online reference form. A minimum of two positive responses are required for your application to move forward in the review process.
Becoming a Certified Scrum Master signifies that you have been taught and understand the basics of Scrum. In order to maintain the value of the certification, Scrum Alliance has put into place several requirements that every CSM must meet on an ongoing basis:
Complete At least 12 continuing education credits (CECs) every two years. Continuing education can be in the form of attending conferences or workshops, taking online courses, reading books or articles, listening to podcasts, and more.
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CSM Exam Format:
The CSM exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice test consisting of 35 questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete the exam. A passing score is 24 out of 35 questions.
You must use your Scrum Alliance membership ID to register for the exam. The exam cost is $200 for members and $300 for nonmembers, which we highly recommend because it covers the cost of a one-year Scrum Alliance membership.
If you need to retake the exam, there is no waiting period. You can retake the exam as many times as required at no extra cost. However, if you do not pass after three attempts, you will need to wait one year before retaking the exam.
The CSM exam is not easy. In fact, the pass rate is only about 60%. But don’t let that discourage you. With the proper preparation, you can pass on your first try.
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Benefits Of Getting Certified:
There are many benefits of getting certified as a CSM.
- The most important benefit is that it will help you in your career. It will give you an edge over other candidates who do not have the certification.
- The certification will also help you in salary negotiations. Employers are always looking for candidates who have the right skills and qualifications.
- You can show employers that you have what it takes to be a successful project manager with a CSM certification.
- Another benefit of getting certified is that it will help you understand the Scrum framework better.
- The certification process requires you to study and learn about all aspects of Scrum. This includes its history, values, principles, and practices. By understanding Scrum better, you will be able to apply it more effectively in your projects.
- Lastly, getting certified will also give you a sense of accomplishment. It is always satisfying to receive recognition for your hard work and dedication.
How To Prepare For The CSM Exam?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to prepare for the CSM exam depends on your learning style and schedule. However, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you get started:
Familiarize yourself with the Scrum framework. This should be easy enough if you’re already working in a Scrum environment. However, if you’re new to Scrum or coming from a different agile methodology, take some time to read up on the basics of Scrum. A great resource is the Scrum Guide – it’s free and covers all the essentials of Scrum.
Understand the exam format and objectives. The CSM exam is composed of 50 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have one hour to complete it. The exam is designed to test your knowledge of Scrum concepts and your ability to apply those concepts to real-world situations. Be sure to review the Exam Outline and Sample Questions on the Scrum Alliance website to know what to expect.
Find a study group or coach. Studying for the CSM exam can be challenging, especially if you’re doing it independently. Joining a study group or working with a certified Scrum coach can help you stay motivated and on track. If you don’t have access to a study group or coach, plenty of online resources is available, such as the Scrum Study Guide from Mike Cohn.
Take a practice exam. Once you feel confident in your knowledge of Scrum, it’s time to take a practice exam. This will help you gauge your readiness for the actual exam, but it will also give you an idea of what to expect on test day. The Scrum Alliance website offers a free online practice exam and a downloadable PDF version.
With these tips in mind, you should be well prepared for the CSM exam successfully.
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Top Resources For CSM Certification Preparation:
- The Scrum Guide: Although it is a bit of light reading at only 13 pages, the Scrum Guide is essential for understanding what scrum is and how it works. The creators wrote it of Scrum, so you can be sure that it contains the most up-to-date and accurate information.
- Scrum Alliance: The Scrum Alliance is a professional membership organization for people who use scrum. They offer resources like articles, webinars, and courses to help you learn more about scrum. They also provide certification at different levels, including the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification.
- Scaled Agile Framework: The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a set of guidelines for scaling scrum to large organizations. If you’re working in a large company, your ScrumMaster may be expected to have SAFe certification.
- Agile Alliance: The Agile Alliance is another professional membership organization that focuses on all things agile, not just scrum. They offer resources like articles, events, and courses on various topics related to agile methodology.
Conclusion:
Now that you know everything there is to know about CSM certification, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get certified! It will open up new opportunities for you and your career. Good luck!
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