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Scrum.orgPSM I

Professional Scrum Master I in São Paulo

Validates knowledge of the Scrum framework and ability to apply it in real-world agile environments as a Scrum Master.

Salary uplift
+$9k
Exam cost
$200
Duration
60 min
Passing score
85
Difficulty
beginner
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◆ 01 / About

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.

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.

◆ 02 / Exam details

Exam details

Exam cost
$200 USD
Duration
60 min
Passing score
85
Renewal
Every 3 yrs

Prerequisites: None required

◆ 03 / Study plan

12-week study plan

1
Master the Scrum GuideWeeks 1–4
Read the official 2020 Scrum Guide at least three times — this is the primary source for all PSM I questionsMemorize all five Scrum values, three accountabilities, five events, and three artifacts with their commitmentsTake the free Scrum.org Scrum Open assessment daily and aim for consistent 90%+ scores before moving on
2
Apply Concepts Through Practice ScenariosWeeks 5–8
Work through Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I preparation quiz set, focusing on scenario-based questions about Sprint events and Scrum team dynamicsStudy common anti-patterns: what happens when a Product Owner is absent, when a Scrum Master micromanages, or when Sprint length variesJoin a Scrum study group or Discord community to discuss edge-case scenarios and debate answers collaboratively
3
Simulate Exam Conditions and Fill GapsWeeks 9–12
Complete full 80-question timed mock exams under real conditions — 60 minutes, no breaks, no referencesReview every wrong answer against the Scrum Guide to identify and close knowledge gaps systematicallySchedule your real exam once you are consistently scoring 87% or higher on three consecutive full mock exams
◆ 04 / Exam tips

Exam tips

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

Watch for questions about what the Scrum Master should do 'first' or 'next' — these test prioritization within Scrum accountability, not general project management instinct

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

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

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

◆ 05 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions

PSM I is considered beginner-level but requires genuine understanding of the Scrum Guide, not just memorization. Questions are scenario-based and designed to expose surface-level knowledge. Most candidates who study consistently for 6–10 weeks and score above 85% on mock exams pass on their first attempt. The passing threshold is 85% — 68 correct answers out of 80 questions within 60 minutes.
◆ 06 / Other certifications in São Paulo