Professional Scrum Master I in London
United Kingdom · Europe
What is Professional Scrum Master I?
The Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) is an entry-level Scrum certification issued by Scrum.org that validates your understanding of the Scrum framework, its roles, events, and artifacts. Unlike trainer-led certifications, PSM I has no mandatory course requirement — you study independently and sit a rigorous 80-question online exam. In London, where Agile adoption is deeply embedded across fintech, media, consultancy, and the public sector, PSM I has become a baseline credential for project and delivery roles. Holding it signals to London employers that you understand Scrum beyond surface-level buzzwords, making you immediately more competitive in one of Europe's most active tech hiring markets.
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 London?
At $200 USD, the PSM I exam is one of the most cost-efficient professional certifications available. Against London's average IT salary of approximately $85,000/yr, the average uplift of $9,000/yr means the cert pays for itself within the first few weeks of a new role. London's Agile job market is particularly strong — demand for Scrum Masters and Agile delivery leads has grown consistently across sectors including banking, e-commerce, and government digital services. Many London recruiters now filter candidates by Scrum credentials before interview, so PSM I acts as both a salary lever and a shortlist filter. For anyone entering or pivoting into Agile delivery roles in London, the ROI case is straightforward.
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 accountabilities, events, and artifacts
- Complete the free Scrum Open assessment on Scrum.org daily until you consistently score 100%
- Use flashcards to memorise Sprint timebox lengths, Definition of Done rules, and Scrum Team composition
Weeks 5–8
Apply Scrum Theory and Empiricism
- Study the three pillars of empiricism (transparency, inspection, adaptation) and practice explaining each with real-world examples
- Work through Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I practice questions and analyse every wrong answer against the Scrum Guide
- Read supplementary Scrum.org resources including Nexus Guide and Professional Scrum Competencies to broaden context
Weeks 9–12
Simulate Exam Conditions and Fill Gaps
- Take full 80-question timed practice exams under real conditions — 60 minutes, no breaks, no reference material
- Identify your weakest topic areas (commonly Sprint Planning and Scrum values) and revisit those Scrum Guide sections directly
- Book your exam slot once you are consistently scoring above 90% in practice tests and aim to sit within 48 hours of peak readiness
Recommended courses
pluralsight
Professional Scrum Master I Learning Path
Tech skills platform — monthly subscription
View on Pluralsight →Exam tips
- 1.Treat the 2020 Scrum Guide as your only source of truth — if an answer contradicts the Guide, it is wrong regardless of how logical it sounds from real-world experience
- 2.Pay close attention to the exact wording around who is accountable for specific artifacts: the Product Owner owns the Product Backlog, the Developers own the Sprint Backlog, and the Scrum Master owns the Definition of Done in collaboration with the team
- 3.For scenario-based questions asking what a Scrum Master should do, the correct answer almost always involves coaching, facilitating, or removing impediments — never commanding or making decisions on behalf of the team
- 4.Do not confuse Sprint Review with Sprint Retrospective — the Review inspects the product increment with stakeholders, while the Retrospective inspects the team's process; mixing these up is one of the most common PSM I mistakes
- 5.Memorise that a Sprint cannot be extended or shortened once it begins, that only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, and that cancellation is only warranted when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete — these edge-case rules appear frequently in exam questions