Professional Scrum Master I in Lisbon
Portugal · Europe
What is Professional Scrum Master I?
The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is an entry-level certification from Scrum.org that validates your understanding of the Scrum framework, its roles, events, and artifacts. Unlike many certifications, PSM I has no prerequisites, making it accessible to anyone looking to break into Agile project management. In Lisbon, where the tech and startup ecosystem has grown rapidly — with hubs like Beato Innovation District and a surge in multinational tech offices — Scrum fluency has become a baseline expectation for product and delivery roles. Earning PSM I signals to local employers that you can contribute to Agile teams immediately, without a lengthy onboarding ramp.
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 Lisbon?
At $200, the PSM I exam is one of the most cost-efficient credentials you can acquire. In Lisbon, where the average IT salary sits around $42,000 per year, a certified Scrum Master typically commands roughly $9,000 more annually. That's a return on investment of over 4,400% in the first year alone. Portugal's growing number of international tech companies — including those drawn by NHR tax incentives — actively recruit Scrum-literate professionals. The certification also renews every three years, keeping your credential current without constant recertification costs. For anyone already working in software delivery or project coordination in Lisbon, PSM I is arguably the highest-leverage $200 you can spend on your career.
12-week study plan
Weeks 1–4
Master the Scrum Guide
- Read the official 2020 Scrum Guide cover to cover at least twice, taking structured notes on all five values, three accountabilities, five events, and three artifacts
- Use Scrum.org's free Scrum Open assessment daily to benchmark your baseline knowledge and identify weak areas
- Watch the Scrum.org 'Understanding and Applying Scrum' learning path videos to reinforce reading comprehension
Weeks 5–8
Deepen Scrum Theory and Practice
- Study empiricism, the three pillars (transparency, inspection, adaptation), and how they manifest in each Scrum event — expect exam questions that test conceptual application, not just definitions
- Practice with Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I simulator and target consistent scores above 85% before moving on
- Explore common Scrum anti-patterns and how a Scrum Master would address them, as scenario-based questions make up a large portion of the exam
Weeks 9–12
Simulate and Refine
- Complete full timed mock exams (80 questions in 60 minutes) under real conditions — no notes, no pausing — to build exam-day stamina and time management
- Review every wrong answer in detail, tracing it back to the Scrum Guide to understand the correct reasoning, not just the correct answer
- Take the free Scrum Open, Product Owner Open, and Developer Open assessments on Scrum.org repeatedly until you score 100% consistently
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 authoritative source — if an answer contradicts the Scrum Guide, it is wrong regardless of how reasonable it sounds in real-world practice.
- 2.Pay close attention to the Scrum Master's role in each of the five events; the exam frequently tests whether candidates understand the Scrum Master's facilitation and coaching responsibilities in Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
- 3.Watch out for trick answers that mix Scrum with other frameworks like Kanban or SAFe — PSM I tests pure Scrum, and hybrid or blended answers are almost always incorrect.
- 4.Time management is critical: 80 questions in 60 minutes leaves an average of 45 seconds per question. Flag uncertain questions and return to them rather than stalling — unanswered questions cost you more than an educated guess.
- 5.Scenario questions often describe a dysfunctional team situation and ask what the Scrum Master should do — the correct answer almost always prioritises coaching and enabling self-management over directing, instructing, or escalating.