Agile methodologies like Scrum have become essential for professionals seeking to enhance their project management skills.
The Professional Scrum Master Level 1, is a highly respected credential demonstrating your ability to understand and apply Scrum practices worldwide.
Whether you are a project manager, developer, or aspiring Scrum Master, the PSM 1 is an ideal certification for starting your journey.
Are you new to Scrum?
This guide covers everything you need to know about the PSM 1 Certification.
What is PSM 1 Certification?
Professional Scrum Master Certification is a renowned training provided by Scrum.org, one of the leading organizations for Scrum training and certification.
This certification validates your ability to implement Scrum principles and function as a Scrum Master within a team.
This certification demonstrates that you have the core skills to lead a Scrum team, manage projects, and improve organizational efficiency.
While other certifications may require mandatory training, the PSM 1 focuses on your comprehension of the Scrum framework.
Beginners will benefit from this course as it lays a strong foundation for more advanced certifications such as PSM II and III.
Where and Why to Get the PSM 1 Certification?
- High Demand for Scrum Masters
Scrum and Agile have become the new favorites for most companies despite being found in IT companies the ideas can be adopted by companies in other fields such as marketing and construction.
In particular, data shows that market demand for Scrum Masters is steadily increasing because of understanding the importance of flexible yet formal processes in managing projects.
By passing the PSM 1 Examination you have a competitive advantage for jobs requiring Scrum know-how to increase your candidacy.
- Recognition and Credibility
The PSM 1 Certification is accredited internationally and so, anybody who gains this certification shall be recognized internationally.
It also proves to employers and peers alike that you have respect for the core values of Scrum irrespective of the geographical location of your workplace in Chennai.
- Career Advancement
Earning the PSM 1 Certification opens up the possibility of a promotion. An average Certified Scrum Master escalates to the position of an Agile Coach, Project Manager, or Product Owner.
These roles are not only more responsible but also more paid in contrast to less responsible ones.
What to Know about PSM 1 Certification
There are some concepts that one has to master before taking a PSM 1 Certification and practicing scrum.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important topics you’ll need to study:
- The Scrum Framework
However, the simplest definition of Scrum is one of the Agile systems used to help development teams achieve their goals of creating products.
You’ll need to understand the three key roles in Scrum:
- Product Owner: Its major role is to ensure that the value of the product is optimized.
- Scrum Master: Implements, supports, and oversees Scrum events and ensures the organization of the Scrum framework.
- Development Team: This depends on them in delivering increments of the product allowing more clients.
- Scrum Artifacts
Every Scrum process must involve the use of Scrum artifacts to help in the process.
These include:
- Product Backlog: A prioritized list of tasks necessary to build the product.
- Sprint Backlog: A selected portion of the product backlog that contains items chosen for implementation during a sprint.
- Increment: Total number of all required backlog items when the sprint is over.
- Scrum Events
Understanding the five major Scrum events is critical for passing the PSM 1 Certification:
- Sprint Planning: The team organizes the further processes within the scope of the next sprint.
- Daily Scrum: An overall short 15-minute meeting to completely align with what is happening and to establish a schedule for the subsequent day.
- Sprint Review: The team claims the increment and reports to the other stakeholders.
- Sprint Retrospective: A meeting that involves a team focusing on the activities done in the sprint and improving it in the process.
- Sprint: A real-time span usually ranges between a week to a month where work is carried out.
- Scrum Values
In addition to events and artifacts, Scrum also emphasizes the importance of five core values:
Such principles as C, F, O, R, and C as in Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, and Courage.
All these values are useful for developing trust and cooperation within a given team.
How to Prepare for the PSM 1 Certification
- Study the Scrum Guide
The Scrum Guide is the only source that contains the rules of Scrum.
This guide must be read and understood in detail as most of the content of the PSM 1 exam question stems directly from it.
The guide can be downloaded for free from the Scrum.org website.
- Take Practice Exams
Scrum.org offers free mock assessments that simulate the PSM 1 exam.
These practice tests are highly beneficial as they help you become familiar with the real exam format and questions.
Regular practice will build your confidence and highlight areas where you may need additional preparation.
- Attend Scrum Training
While not mandatory, attending formal Scrum training can deepen your understanding of the Scrum framework.
If you’re based in Chennai, many institutes offer PSM Certification in Chennai, providing hands-on training and coaching.
These sessions often incorporate real-world case studies, group activities, and discussions, which help reinforce key Scrum concepts.
- Join Scrum Communities
Networking with other Scrum practitioners is extremely helpful. Joining local or online Scrum communities allows you to discuss, ask questions, and learn from those who have already passed the PSM 1 exam.
Engaging in these conversations offers fresh perspectives and practical tips not always covered in guides or courses.
What to Expect in the PSM 1 Exam
The PSM 1 Certification exam comprises 80 questions that are, in the form of multiple-choice and true/false questions which are set for 60 minutes.
To pass this quiz, you must achieve 85% or better, which is equal to 68 correct answers.
It’s an open book you can have the Scrum Guide and other resources handy when taking the exam. Nonetheless, due to time constraints, one has to do enough rehearsals and not necessarily rely on additional printed resources.
Topics Covered in the Exam
- Scrum roles, events, and artifacts
- Sprint planning, backlog grooming, and forecasting tools
- Dynamic, self-organizing teams and servant leadership
- Roles and responsibilities for Scrum Master
- The continuous improvement of Scrum The importance of continuous improvement in Scrum
PSM Certification in Chennai
For those interested in gaining certification in Chennai, several training institutes provide training for PSM Certification in Chennai for online and offline learners.
These training programs offer clear sequences of a set of topics that contain all the information regarding Scrum, While instructors may share real-life experiences from their working practice.
Conclusion
The PSM 1 Certification is thus an important first start for anyone intending to become a Scrum Master or simply wishing to know more about Scrum practice.
It also matters not that you are based in Chennai or anywhere in the world. Due to this, this certification could lead to more jobs and new opportunities in an individual’s career life.
By mastering Scrum roles, events, and values alongside efficient preparation, you will have all the credentials necessary to pass the PSM 1 Certification and progress toward a proficient Scrum Master.
When a candidate concentrates on performing better in the Scrum assessments, success will be made easier through dedication towards mastering the Scrum framework by using resources such as the Scrum Guide and practice examinations.
