Scrum Master I (PSM I) Practice Assessment

30 Questions + Corrections
Question 1:
What are three incorrect, untrue, or misleading statements about Scrum? (Choose the best three
answers)
A. Scrum is a methodology where you can pick and choose which parts of Scrum you think will
work for your environment.
B. Each component of Scrum serves a specific purpose and is essential to your ability to use Scrum
to develop complex products.
C. Scrum is like traditional processes but with self-organization to replace Project Managers.
D. Scrum is a framework that eliminates complexity.
E. Scrum is founded on empiricism and lean thinking.
F. Scrum is a framework for developing and sustaining complex products.
Answers:
C. Scrum is a methodology where you can pick and choose which parts of Scrum you think will
work for your environment.
D. Scrum is a framework that eliminates complexity.
F. Scrum is like traditional processes but with self-organization to replace Project Managers.
Feedback:
Scrum is meant to be implemented as prescribed in the Scrum Guide. For example, the five events
in the Scrum Guide are mandatory, each event has a specific purpose. Scrum does not eliminate the
complexity that is inherent in delivering a product in today’s world, instead it offers a framework
for dealing with complexity. By regularly delivering Increments of value, teams gain the ability to
inspect and rapidly adapt based on the feedback received. Project Managers are not simply replaced
by self-managing teams. Scrum is a framework for optimizing decision making based on the
knowledge and experience of the entire team.

Question 2:
Who creates the Definition of Done? (Choose the best answer)
A. If it is not an organizational standard, the Scrum Team must create a Definition of Done
appropriate for the product.
B. The Scrum Master since they are responsible for the productivity of the Developers.
C. The Scrum Team, in a collaborative effort where the result is the common denominator of all
members' definitions.
D. The Product Owner since they are responsible for the product's success.
Answer:
A. If it is not an organizational standard, the Scrum Team must create a Definition of Done
appropriate for the product.

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Feedback:
If the Definition of Done for an Increment is part of the standards of the organization, all Scrum
Teams must follow it as a minimum. If it is not an organizational standard, the Scrum Team must
create a Definition of Done appropriate for the product.

Question 3:
Who is responsible for managing the progress of work during a Sprint? (Choose the best answer)
A. The Developers.
B. The most junior member of the team.
C. The Scrum Master.
D. The Product Owner.
Answer:
A. The Developers.
Feedback:
The Developers use the Daily Scrum to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and to inspect how
progress is trending toward completing the work in the Sprint Backlog.

Question 4:
When does the next Sprint begin? (Choose the best answer)
A. Next Monday.
B. Immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.
C. Immediately following the next Sprint Planning.
D. When the Product Owner is ready.
Answer:
B. Immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.
Feedback:
A new Sprint starts immediately after the conclusion of the previous Sprint.

Question 5:
True or False: The purpose of a Sprint is to produce a valuable and useful Increment of working
product.
o True
o False
Answer:
True

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Feedback:
The heart of Scrum is a Sprint, a timebox of one month or less during which a done, useful, and
valuable working product Increment is created.

Question 6:
Which statement best describes a Product Owner's responsibility? (Choose the best answer)
A. Managing the project and ensuring that the work meets the commitments to the stakeholders.
B. Maximizing the value of the work the Scrum Team does.
C. Keep stakeholders from distracting the Developers.
D. Directing the Developers.

Answer:
B. Maximizing the value of the work the Scrum Team does.
Feedback:
The Product Owner is accountable for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the
Scrum Team.

Question 7:
The three pillars of empiricism are: (Choose the best answer)
A. Inspection, Transparency, Adaptation.
B. Respect for People, Kaizen, Eliminating Waste.
C. Planning, Demonstration, Retrospective.
D. Transparency, Eliminating Waste, Kaizen.
E. Planning, Inspection, Adaptation.

Answer:
A. Inspection, Transparency, Adaptation.
Feedback:
Scrum is founded on empiricism and lean thinking. Empiricism asserts that knowledge comes from
experience and making decisions based on what is known. The three pillars uphold empirical and
lean thinking: transparency, inspection, and adaptation.

Question 8:
During a Sprint, a Developer determines that the Scrum Team will not be able to complete the
items in their forecast. Who should be present to review and adjust the Product Backlog items
selected? (Choose the best answer)
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A. The Product Owner and the Developers.
B. The Scrum Master, the project manager, and the Developers.
C. The Product Owner and all stakeholders.
D. The Developers.
Answer:
A. The Product Owner and the Developers.
Feedback:
During the Sprint, scope may be clarified and re-negotiated between the Product Owner and the
Developers as more is learned. It is important to be transparent when challenges arise since
ultimately the entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating a valuable, useful Increment.

Question 9:
When might a Sprint be abnormally cancelled? (Choose the best answer)
A. When the Developers feel that the work is too hard.
B. When the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
C. When the sales department has an important new opportunity.
D. When it becomes clear that not everything will be finished by the end of the Sprint.
Answer:
B. When the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete.
Feedback:
A Sprint could be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Only the Product Owner has the
authority to cancel the Sprint.

Question 10:
What is the typical size for a Scrum Team? (Choose the best answer)
A. 9.
B. 10 or fewer.
C. 7 plus or minus 2.
D. Minimum of 7.
Answer:
B. 10 or fewer.
Feedback:
A Scrum Team is small enough to remain nimble and large enough to complete significant work
within a Sprint, typically 10 or fewer people. Generally smaller teams communicate better and are
more productive.

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Question 11:
Which of the following services is appropriate for a Scrum Master in regard to the Daily Scrum?
(Choose the best answer)
A. Teach the Developers to keep the Daily Scrum within the 15-minute timebox.
B. Lead the discussions of the Developers.
C. Facilitate in a way that ensures each team member has a chance to speak.
D. All answers apply.
E. Ensure that all 3 questions have been answered.
Answer:
D. All answers apply.
Feedback:
The Scrum Master ensures that the Developers have the event, but the Developers are responsible
for conducting the Daily Scrum. The Scrum Master teaches the Developers to keep the Daily Scrum
within the 15-minute timebox. The Scrum Master enforces the rule that only members participate in
the Daily Scrum.

Question 12:
How much work must the Developers complete for each Product Backlog item they select for a
Sprint? (Choose the best answer)
A. Analysis, design, programming, testing, and documentation.
B. All development work and at least some testing.
C. As much as it can fit into the Sprint.
D. Enough so that each Product Backlog item they select meets the Definition of Done.
Answer:
D. Enough so that each Product Backlog item they select meets the Definition of Done.
Feedback:
The purpose of each Sprint is to deliver useful and valuable Increments that adhere to the Scrum
Team's current Definition of Done.

Question 13:
True or False: Scrum has a role called "project manager."
o True
o False
Answer: False
Feedback:A Scrum Team has a Scrum Master, a Product Owner and Developers. As a whole they
have all controls needed.

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Question 14:
What does it mean to say that an event has a timebox? (Choose the best answer)
A. The event can take no more than a maximum amount of time.
B. The event must happen by a given time.
C. The event must take at least a minimum amount of time.
D. The event must happen at a set time.
Answer:
A. The event can take no more than a maximum amount of time.
Feedback:
Timeboxed events are events that have a maximum duration.

Question 15:
True or False: When multiple Scrum Teams work together on the same product, each team
should maintain a separate Product Backlog.
o True
o False
Answer:
False
Feedback:
Products have one Product Backlog, regardless of how many Scrum Teams are used. Any other
setup makes it difficult for the Developers to determine what they should work on.

Question 16:
The Product Backlog is ordered by: (Choose the best answer)
A. Least valuable items at the top to most valuable at the bottom.
B. Items are randomly arranged.
C. Size, where small items are at the top and large items are at the bottom.
D. Risk, where safer items are at the top, and riskier items are at the bottom.
E. Whatever is deemed most appropriate by the Product Owner.
Answer: E. Whatever is deemed most appropriate by the Product Owner.
Feedback:
The Product Owner is accountable for effective Product Backlog management. The Product
Backlog is an emergent, ordered list of what is needed to improve the product. It is the single source
of work undertaken by the Scrum Team.

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Question 17:
What is the function or purpose of Management in Scrum? (Choose the best answer)
A. Continually monitor staffing levels of the Scrum Team.
B. Identify and remove people that are not working hard enough.
C. Monitor the progress of the Developers on the Scrum Team.
D. Support the Product Owner with insights and information into high-value product and system
capabilities. Support the Scrum Master to encourage organizational change that fosters empiricism,
self-management, bottom-up intelligence, and intelligent product delivery.
Answer:
D. Support the Product Owner with insights and information into high value product and system
capabilities. Support the Scrum Master to encourage organizational change that fosters empiricism,
self-management, bottom-up intelligence, and intelligent product delivery.
Feedback:
Management has no official role or accountability on a Scrum Team. However, management
external to the Scrum Team is relevant in setting the vision and strategy to guide the overall
direction of the organization.

Question 18:
What is the main reason for the Scrum Master to be at the Daily Scrum? (Choose the best
answer)
A. To write down any changes to the Sprint Backlog, including adding new items, and tracking
progress on the burn-down.
B. To gather status and progress information to report to management.
C. To make sure every team member answers the three questions.
D. They do not have to be there; they only need to ensure the Developers have a Daily Scrum.

Answer:
D. They do not have to be there; they only need to ensure the Developers have a Daily Scrum.
Feedback:
The Scrum Master only ensures that all Scrum events take place and are positive, productive, and
kept within the timebox.

Question 19:
Who should know the most about the progress toward a business objective or a release, and be
able to explain the alternatives most clearly? (Choose the best answer)
A. The Product Owner
B. The Project Manager

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C. The Developers
D. The Scrum Master
Answer:
A. The Product Owner
Feedback:
The Product Owner is the sole person responsible for ordering the Product Backlog. Their
responsibilities include making the Product Backlog visible, transparent, and clear to all.

Question 20:
When does a Developer become accountable for the value of a Product Backlog item selected for
the Sprint? (Choose the best answer)
A. At the Sprint Planning Event.
B. During the Daily Scrum.
C. Never. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.
D. Whenever a team member can accommodate more work.
Answer:
C. Never. The entire Scrum Team is accountable for creating value every Sprint.
Feedback:
All members of the Scrum Team share in the accountability for creating value every Sprint.

Question 21:
True or False: The Scrum Team must choose at least one high-priority process improvement
item, identified during the Sprint Retrospective, and place it in the Sprint Backlog.
o True
o False
Answer: False
Feedback:
An earlier version of the Scrum Guide prescribed the practice of placing one improvement in the
Sprint Backlog. This was removed in the 2020 update to the Scrum Guide because it was felt to be
too prescriptive. However, if this practice provides value to you then you should adopt it. It is
simply not prescribed anymore, but can still be valuable.

Question 22:
True or False: It is mandatory that the product Increment be released to production at the end of
each Sprint.
o True

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 o False
Answer:False
Feedback:
The product Increment should be usable and releasable at the end of every Sprint, but it does not
have to be released.

Question 23:
A Scrum Team consists of the following: (Choose the best three answers)
A. Developers
B. Product Owner
C. Users
D. Scrum Master
E. Customers
Answer:
A. Developers
B. Product Owner
D. Scrum Master
Feedback:
The Scrum Team consists of one Scrum Master, one Product Owner, and Developers.

Question 24:
The length of a Sprint should be: (Choose the best answer)
A. Short enough to keep the business risk acceptable to the Product Owner.
B. Short enough to be able to synchronize the development work with other business events.
C. One month or less.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. All of the above.
Feedback: All of these choices are appropriate considerations in determining the length of a Sprint.

Question 25:
The CEO asks the Developers to add a "very important" item to a Sprint that is in progress.
What should the Developers do? (Choose the best answer)
A. Add the item to the next Sprint.
B. Inform the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.

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C. Add the item to the current Sprint without any adjustments.
D. Add the item to the current Sprint and drop an item of equal size.
Answer:
B. Inform the other members of the Scrum Team so the team can decide what to do.
Feedback:
The items selected for a Sprint have been selected as most valuable with the Product Owner. The
items serve the Sprint's goal. No changes should be made that endanger the Sprint Goal. No one
external to the Scrum Team can force changes on the Developers.

Question 26:
Which two things should the Scrum Team do during the first Sprint? (Choose the best two
answers)
A. Develop and deliver at least one piece of functionality.
B. Deliver an Increment of useful and valuable product.
C. Determine the complete architecture and infrastructure for the product.
D. Create the complete Product Backlog to be developed in subsequent Sprints.
E. Develop a plan for the rest of the release.
Answer:
A. Develop and deliver at least one piece of functionality.
B. Deliver an Increment of useful and valuable product.
Feedback:
The heart of Scrum is a Sprint, which is one month or less during which a done, usable, valuable
product Increment is created. This applies to every Sprint.

Question 27:
The timebox for a Daily Scrum is? (Choose the best answer)
A. 15 minutes.
B. 15 minutes for a 4-week sprint. For shorter Sprints, it is usually shorter.
C. 4 hours.
D. Two minutes per person.
E. The same time of day every day.
Answer: A. 15 minutes.
Feedback:
The Daily Scrum is always a 15-minute event. Because it is a short event, the timebox is not
influenced by the Sprint length.

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Question 28:
Why is the Daily Scrum held at the same time and same place? (Choose the best answer)
A. Rooms are hard to book and this lets it be booked in advance.
B. The place can be named.
C. The Product Owner demands it.
D. The consistency reduces complexity.
Answer: D. The consistency reduces complexity.
Feedback:
The Daily Scrum is held at the same time and place each day to reduce complexity.

Question 29:
When does a Sprint conclude? (Choose the best answer)
A. When the Product Owner decides enough has been delivered to meet the Sprint Goal.
B. When the Sprint Retrospective is complete.
C. When all the tasks are completed by the Developers.
D. When all Product Backlog items meet their Definition of Done.

Answer: B. When the Sprint Retrospective is complete.

Feedback: The Sprint Retrospective concludes the Sprint, and is timeboxed to a maximum of three
hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter.
Though not typical, a Sprint can end if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Only the Product Owner
has the authority to end the Sprint prematurely.

Question 30:
The timebox for the Sprint Planning event is? (Choose the best answer)
A. 8 hours for a monthly Sprint. For shorter Sprints, it is usually shorter.
B. Monthly.
C. Whenever it is done.
D. 4 hours.
Answer:
A. 8 hours for a monthly Sprint. For shorter Sprints, it is usually shorter.
Feedback
Sprint Planning is timeboxed to a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter
Sprints, the event is usually shorter.
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