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Failed PSM 1 !!!

Last post 02:08 pm October 28, 2015 by Oscar Rojas Saavedra
8 replies
01:13 pm July 11, 2015

I have just completed my PSM 1 assessment with 79% with failure status.
My study track as --
1) Scrum study guided read more that 6 times with marking important keyword.
2) The Scrum Master Training Manual (Management Plaza) read more that 4 times
3) The Scrum Primer - read more that 4 times with highlight important topics and keyword.
4) Do Better Scrum (Peter Hundermark) - read more that 4 times with concern on the topic which not covered scrum study guide.
5) An example of checklist for Scrum Master (Michael James) -- checked all.
6) Scrum Reference Card (Michael James)
7) Worked on scrum team last 3 month.
8) Constantly getting 100% at Open Assessment last 7 tries.

My test score -
Scrum Framework - 77.5%
Scrum Theory and Principles - 85.0%
Cross-functional, self-organizing Teams - 71.4%
Coaching & Facilitation - 83.3%

I was confidence about the passing and the answer I provided at exam time. But I was really strange getting result.
As scrum.org not provided the details of answer (right or wrong) I am not able to check my answer which getting wrong.

So, I am planning to retake exam again as soon.

Any suggestion will be appropriate.


07:30 am July 14, 2015

Khorshed, sorry to hear that you couldn't pass the exam but you were almost there. your preparation sounds great however your section vise marks says that you still need to improve a bit more towards absolute understanding of scrum framework, terminology and its functioning. I will suggest you to take 1 page of scrum guide every day and ensure you've learned it completely. Scrum guide is key. Don't forget to practice all available open tests. there are some other topics like scrum of scrum, burndown charts,scaling scrum etc which are also important to be understood in depth for this exam.

Good Luck for next attempt!


10:25 am July 16, 2015

Hi Khorshed, I passed both the PSM and PSPO a couple of weeks ago. This is actually my first post on here and I intend to create a post with my tips on passing. I studied for less than two weeks for the exams, which I actually think is too much. Which I think is your problem, you are doing way too much. What you have done will help you become better within the practice of SM, but to pass the exam is a different approach. I do not think you need to go so in depth, which overloads your brain with details to "remember". I highlight the word "remember" also because you are trying to remember too many things. The main thing to remember is the purpose of each role, each event and each artifact. This makes it much easier to "remember" the smaller details.

What I suggest, and what I have done:

1 Search online for a high level Intro to Scrum video. Nothing longer than 30 min.
2 Read the Scrum Guide a few times to get a good "High level understanding" of scrum
3. Take a mock exam just to see where you are.
4. Go back through the Scrum Guide, this time searching online for additional material on each scrum team member, scrum event, and artifact as you go through the scrum guide. I went through both written and video materials. This time, add your own notes to the scrum guide itself. Note, the written material should not be more than 2 pages (10 minute read) and the videos should be less than 10-15 minutes each.
5. Review your updated Scrum Guide a few times until you "feel" comfortable.
6. Take mock exams. (Highlight areas and topics where you did not dominate.)
7. Repeat steps 5-6, putting additional focus on areas you did not dominate on the mock.


I will create another post adding the additional materials I used online. But here are a couple of tips:

Search online for different mocks and do not use the same ones over and over Eventually you just simply remember the questions. This helps because there are a few repeats on the exam, but it doesn't really show you where you are strong and where you are weak.

I also suggest that you DO NOT take mocks immediately after studying. I suggest you wait an hour at least between studying and taking a mock. If you take it too soon, you more than likely will remember certain things, but wait a while and this helps to show whether or not the material has been cemented in your brain. During the beginning I will not do too much in between this time and will just go over everything in my head until I took the mock. Eventually, I would take the time to do other things that forced me to take my mind off of scrum (read the news, play video games) then take the mock. It's expected that you will lose some information during this time. When you are scoring greater than 90% even after doing this, then you know you are ready. I scored 96% on my exam.

Good Luck!


05:15 am July 31, 2015

Khamaal,

Excellent suggestions.

Khorshed,

You should focus only on Scrum guide. Some times reading too much is also not good. You must focus on Scrum guide and what ever discussed in scrum guide. I've read many books on scrum and agile but for the PSM, I focused scrum guide and avoided looking into with other books or guides. The reason for this is, most books focus on best practices, tools, and techniques for better execution but Scrum guide focus on Framework an that is the crux. PSM questions usually are tricky and you must be able to quickly spot in a question whether it is about framework and or is techniques etc.

Good luck


08:05 pm July 31, 2015

There is a good Simulated Test to pratice and learn before doing the oficial exam.

The link is: http://getscrum.com/2015/05/28/psm-i-simulated-exam-review/

Peace and hugs.


01:44 am August 10, 2015

Khamaal,
Thanks for your great suggestion.


12:25 pm August 23, 2015

Finally passed PSM1.


12:06 pm August 24, 2015

Congratulations!!


02:08 pm October 28, 2015

Hi Guys,passed the PSM exam (01.Oct.2015) I share you how I did it:

http://mywaytoprojectmanagement.blogspot.com/

I hope it helps someone.


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