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Does a 95% on PSM II outcancels a 90% on PSM I for PST training

Last post 09:46 pm March 16, 2018 by Chris Belknap
2 replies
René Gysenbergs
12:29 pm March 16, 2018

Hello Everyone,



Don't panic! I haven't got any plans (yet) for starting the journey to become a PST  ;-)



A thought crept into my mind when I was reading the starting requirements for PST training and I can't come to a satisfying conclusion in my mind.

So now I'm asking the group here. I would like to hear from representatives of Scrum.org, but also from other practitioners about their stance, ideas.



I'm going to take my case as an example:



In 2016 I obtained my PSM I with 90% and my PSPO I with 92% without knowing that the minimum percentage needed to be 95% on these levels to be eligible for PST. (At that time I was in a clinch with a CSM that acted as a secondary PM instead of a SM, so just obtaining the certs was more important than obtaining them with a high score).



There are higher levels for PSM (II and III) and a higher level for PSPO (II).

So my question is:

If I obtain a 95%+ score on the PSM II and PSPO II, would this out cancel the 90%  and 92% on PSM I and PSPO II? Or is the 95% criteria set in stone and would I need to redo the PSM I and PSPO I?



With kind regards,

René

Jason Jafarian
08:39 pm March 16, 2018

They do list it as two separate requirements in two different phases of the application, so my gut is telling me they're both required.  I hope that they'd make an exemption, but there's nothing I can find that indicates they have a policy.  It seems to be handled case-by-case.

 

Truthfully, I don't really follow the logic behind the PST program requirements.  It seems to imply that higher level certification can't be substituted for lower tier certifications, and that the certification threshold fluctuates from 85% to 95%.  I am quite proud of my PSM II, but being told it's currently not good enough for the accrediting body that issued it leads to mixed feelings.

Hopefully the program requirements are overhauled soon to properly address these gaps.

Chris Belknap
09:46 pm March 16, 2018

Once you get a 95 or better on PSM I and they approve your application, I believe they give you a free attempt at PSM II.  So you could retake PSM I and save yourself $100 when taking the PSM II.  Best to send them a message and ask, as I am just going by my interpretation.

Also it doesn't mention that you need a 95 or better for PSM II to advance, but you do need 95 or better on PSM III. 

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