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Scrum.orgPSM I

Professional Scrum Master I in Warsaw

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 Scrum certification issued by Scrum.org that validates your understanding of the Scrum framework, its roles, events, and artifacts. Unlike training-based certifications, PSM I is earned purely by passing a rigorous 80-question online exam — no mandatory course required. Warsaw has become one of Central Europe's fastest-growing tech hubs, with hundreds of product and software companies actively adopting Agile practices. Local employers in Warsaw — from fintech startups on Chmielna Street to enterprise IT firms in the Służewiec business district — increasingly list Scrum knowledge as a baseline requirement, making PSM I a practical and recognized credential to hold.

At $200 USD for the exam, PSM I is one of the most cost-effective certifications available. With the average IT salary in Warsaw sitting around $45,000 per year, a documented $9,000 annual salary uplift represents a 20% income increase — an extraordinary return on a single exam fee. Warsaw's Agile job market is competitive but credential-responsive: hiring managers treat PSM I as a signal that a candidate understands Scrum beyond surface-level buzzwords. The certification is valid for three years, meaning your initial $200 investment works across multiple job cycles in Warsaw's growing tech ecosystem. For junior project managers or developers transitioning into Scrum roles, few certs deliver this kind of measurable, near-term financial impact.

◆ 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 cover to cover at least three times, highlighting accountabilities, events, and artifactsCreate flashcards for every Scrum term, time-box duration, and rule — focus on the 'why' behind each element, not just definitionsTake the free Scrum.org Open Assessment daily until you consistently score 85% or higher without time pressure
2
Apply Scrum in Realistic ScenariosWeeks 5–8
Work through scenario-based practice questions that test how Scrum principles apply when teams face conflict, unclear requirements, or stakeholder pressureStudy the distinction between the Scrum Master's role versus the Product Owner and Developers — PSM I heavily tests these boundariesReview Mikhail Lapshin's PSM I practice tests and analyse every wrong answer using the Scrum Guide as the source of truth
3
Simulate Exam Conditions and Fill GapsWeeks 9–12
Complete full 80-question timed mock exams (60-minute limit) and track your scores to identify weak topic clustersDeep-dive into any areas below 85% accuracy — common weak spots include Sprint cancellation rules, Definition of Done ownership, and empiricism principlesSchedule your exam once you sustain 90%+ on three consecutive full mock tests, then book through Scrum.org directly
◆ 04 / Exam tips

Exam tips

The Scrum Guide is the only authoritative source for PSM I — if a practice question contradicts the Scrum Guide, trust the Scrum Guide every time, even if the alternative sounds logical in real-world practice.

PSM I loves testing Sprint cancellation: only the Product Owner can cancel a Sprint, and this is a frequent trap question — know this rule cold and know what happens to incomplete Product Backlog Items when a Sprint is cancelled.

On scenario questions where a Scrum Master is asked to do something outside their defined accountability, the correct answer is almost always to facilitate, coach, or remove impediments — never to command, assign tasks, or override the Developers.

Time-box durations are exact and frequently tested: a Sprint is one month or less, the Sprint Planning is eight hours for a one-month Sprint, the Daily Scrum is fifteen minutes — memorize every time-box and the scaling rules for shorter Sprints.

The Definition of Done is owned by the Scrum Team, not just the Developers or the Product Owner — this accountability distinction trips up many first-time candidates and appears in multiple question formats on the actual exam.

◆ 05 / FAQ

Frequently asked questions

PSM I is considered beginner-level but is harder than many expect. The exam tests nuanced understanding of Scrum theory, not just memorization. About 85% is the passing threshold across 80 questions in 60 minutes. Candidates who only skim the Scrum Guide often fail. Those who study scenario-based questions and understand the reasoning behind each Scrum rule typically pass on the first attempt with 2–4 weeks of focused preparation.
◆ 06 / Other certifications in Warsaw