Professional Scrum Master I in São Paulo
Brazil · LATAM
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 training-dependent certifications, PSM I is open to anyone — no prerequisites required. In São Paulo, where fintech, healthtech, and enterprise software firms have made agile delivery a baseline expectation, holding a globally recognized Scrum credential signals credibility to hiring managers across Faria Lima and Paulista. Whether you are transitioning into tech or formalizing hands-on experience, PSM I gives you a verifiable, vendor-neutral credential that travels well across LATAM and beyond.
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 São Paulo?
With an average IT salary of around $35,000 per year in São Paulo, a PSM I certification carries a reported salary uplift of approximately $9,000 annually — a return of roughly 26% on base pay from a single $200 exam. The São Paulo tech market is competitive but credential-sensitive; many local employers use certifications as a fast filter during screening. Given that PSM I requires no mandatory training course and can be self-studied in under three months, the cost-to-benefit ratio is hard to beat. Renewing every three years keeps your credential current without significant overhead. For early-career professionals in São Paulo, few certifications deliver this level of ROI this quickly.
12-week study plan
Weeks 1–4
Master the Scrum Guide
- Read the official 2020 Scrum Guide at least three times — this is the primary source for all PSM I questions
- Memorize all five Scrum values, three accountabilities, five events, and three artifacts with their commitments
- Take the free Scrum.org Scrum Open assessment daily and aim for consistent 90%+ scores before moving on
Weeks 5–8
Apply Concepts Through Practice Scenarios
- Work through Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I preparation quiz set, focusing on scenario-based questions about Sprint events and Scrum team dynamics
- Study common anti-patterns: what happens when a Product Owner is absent, when a Scrum Master micromanages, or when Sprint length varies
- Join a Scrum study group or Discord community to discuss edge-case scenarios and debate answers collaboratively
Weeks 9–12
Simulate Exam Conditions and Fill Gaps
- Complete full 80-question timed mock exams under real conditions — 60 minutes, no breaks, no references
- Review every wrong answer against the Scrum Guide to identify and close knowledge gaps systematically
- Schedule your real exam once you are consistently scoring 87% or higher on three consecutive full mock exams
Recommended courses
pluralsight
Professional Scrum Master I Learning Path
Tech skills platform — monthly subscription
View on Pluralsight →Exam tips
- 1.Answer every question through the lens of the 2020 Scrum Guide — if your answer contradicts the Guide, it is wrong regardless of what works in your real-world job
- 2.Watch for questions about what the Scrum Master should do 'first' or 'next' — these test prioritization within Scrum accountability, not general project management instinct
- 3.Know the Product Backlog refinement concept thoroughly — it is not an official Scrum event but appears frequently in scenario questions testing whether candidates understand it as ongoing work
- 4.Never select answers that suggest the Scrum Master assigns tasks, controls the team, or acts as a traditional project manager — these are deliberate traps throughout the exam
- 5.Time management is critical — 80 questions in 60 minutes leaves 45 seconds per question; flag uncertain questions, move forward, and return rather than stalling on any single item