Professional Scrum Master I in Johannesburg
South Africa · Africa
What is Professional Scrum Master I?
The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is an entry-level certification issued by Scrum.org that validates your understanding of the Scrum framework, its roles, events, and artifacts. Unlike vendor-heavy certifications, PSM I is widely respected because it tests real comprehension rather than course attendance. In Johannesburg, where agile adoption is accelerating across fintech, telecoms, and enterprise IT, PSM I has become a baseline credential for project leads and team facilitators. Companies like Standard Bank, Vodacom, and numerous Sandton-based consultancies increasingly list Scrum proficiency as a hiring requirement, making this certification a practical career asset in the local market.
Exam details
- Exam cost
- $200 USD
- Duration
- 60 min
- Passing score
- 85
- Renewal
- Every 3 yrs
Prerequisites: None required
Is Professional Scrum Master I worth it in Johannesburg?
At $200 USD, the PSM I exam is one of the most cost-efficient certifications available relative to its career impact. With the average IT salary in Johannesburg sitting around $32,000 per year, a documented ~$9,000 annual salary uplift represents a 28% increase — a return on investment most financial products can't touch. The exam fee pays for itself within a matter of weeks once you land a role or negotiate a raise. Johannesburg's growing pool of agile-hungry employers means certified Scrum Masters face strong demand, particularly in the financial services and technology consulting sectors concentrated in Sandton and Bryanston. Renewal is only required every three years, keeping ongoing costs minimal.
12-week study plan
Weeks 1–4
Master the Scrum Guide
- Read the official 2020 Scrum Guide cover to cover at least three times, annotating key definitions
- Memorise the five Scrum values, three accountabilities, five events, and three artifacts with their commitments
- Use the Scrum.org learning path and free Scrum Open assessments to identify knowledge gaps early
Weeks 5–8
Apply and Deepen Understanding
- Work through Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I practice question sets, aiming for 85%+ before moving on
- Study common scenario-based questions covering Sprint planning, Daily Scrum facilitation, and impediment removal
- Join a local Johannesburg agile community meetup or online forum to discuss real-world Scrum application
Weeks 9–12
Simulate Exam Conditions and Register
- Take timed full mock exams (80 questions in 60 minutes) and review every incorrect answer in detail
- Focus on edge cases: what happens when a Developer misses a Sprint Review, or the Product Owner is unavailable
- Book your exam via Scrum.org, ensure a stable internet connection, and complete one final Scrum Open assessment the day before
Recommended courses
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Professional Scrum Master I Learning Path
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View on Pluralsight →Exam tips
- 1.The Scrum Guide is the only source of truth — if your answer contradicts the 2020 Scrum Guide, it is wrong regardless of what you have seen in real workplaces
- 2.Know the difference between what the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers are each accountable for — many scenario questions hinge on this distinction
- 3.PSM I is open-book, but do not rely on searching the Scrum Guide during the exam; at 45 seconds per question, there is no time to look things up
- 4.Watch for questions about timeboxes: Sprint length is one month or less, Sprint Planning is eight hours maximum for a one-month Sprint, and Daily Scrum is exactly 15 minutes
- 5.Scenario questions often describe a team doing something wrong and ask what the Scrum Master should do — the correct answer almost always involves coaching rather than commanding or fixing it yourself