How long to pass PSM exam?

In reality, the best course of action is to take the PSM training class. I learned a great deal from the class and absolutely attribute my success in passing the PSM1 exam the first time with taking this course. I also ready the Scrum Guide at least 5 times before I took the exam. If you opt out of taking an official training class, you would probably need 20+ hours of study and practice, unless you're already well versed in the Scrum framework; then it would be less. 

Hi Curtis,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I hear your point but I cannot attend class as their are none in my area (only Paris in France). Hence having to do it by myself - although I am definitely going to try to vary my sources.

Thanks for your tips ! for a Project manager is the PSM 1, 2 and 3 certifications enough or should I look at taking PSPO as well?

As I am not a fast learner I was thinking of counting 40 hours per certification (doubling your suggestion). Of course, if I see I am much faster during the first one, Ill review.

Many thanks for your help,

Marion

I think Curtis hit the nail square on the head. For any reason if you can not take the in person class, about 3 weeks of studying for at least an hour each workday will suffice. Make sure you fully understand the Scrum Guide by reading it 4 or 5 times.

for a Project manager is the PSM 1, 2 and 3 certifications enough or should I look at taking PSPO as well?

The PSM certificates are not for Project Managers but Scrum Masters. Those are very different roles. So before you embark on this path, what is your goal and reason for seeking the PSM certificates? Are you wanting to implement Scrum or have been put in a Scrum Master role and need the training? Are you a Project Manager but would like to learn more about Scrum as an option? 

The last think you want to do is spend all the money and time in earning the certificates and not be able to use the training. 

Hi

Thanks a lot Curtis and Janet for your feedbacks.

Yes I am a project manager but quite new to it (was in a company handling marketing and just switched to an agency role). The agency I joined wants to focus more and more on IT projects (website redesign, CMS migration etc) - so I am seeking this certification for 2 reasons:

1) to improve my overall skills in project management (since I have been used to non structured internal small scale projects)

2) bring to my company an effective way to conduct big IT projects

Many thanks for your advice,

Marion

I would advise looking at the various processes and frameworks of software development and compare to the organizational structure and see how likely it is that the company would adopt the preferred process. I would also not worry about the 2nd and 3rd levels of the PSM until you're actually utilizing Scrum. The PSM 2 and 3 exams, from what I've been told, require extensive practical and real world experience in order to do well. The PSM1, while it is not an easy exam by any means, is something that with reading the Scrum Guide and taking the open assessments on this website, a new to Scrum person could pass and earn that certificate. 

If you're looking at Scrum as a preferred framework for software development and you're the Project Manager, I would strongly suggest taking the PSM1 and then work towards the PSPO. If you look at the Resources section as well as the Open Assessments on this site, you'll find a great deal of awesome tools for both. Read the Scrum Guide multiple times, however many times it takes for you to have a solid understanding of Scrum. Take the Open Assessments over and over. I'm sure you can look at the various videos on YouTube that talk about Scrum for Beginners and all.