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PSM II + III prerequisites & content

Last post 05:59 pm July 11, 2017 by Sean S Jeong
4 replies
Sean S Jeong
07:06 pm July 4, 2017

I have googled as hard as I can for this but I couldn't really find the answer: I know that PSM II does not require PSM I (as far as I know) -- does PSM III require PSM I or PSM II? If PSM III doers not require PSM I, I'd rather just try PSM II.

My other question goes out to those who have taken PSM II/III: which books on PSM subject area guide were most useful to you? I ask this because although I have read quite a few of them, that is a lot of material and I'd like to know what kind of level PSM II/III are geared towards.

Abiodun Adeeyinwo
11:03 am July 6, 2017

I suspect, you may need to demonstrate you have passed PSM I for you to take PSM II. Please check the below.

https://www.scrum.org/professional-scrum-certifications/professional-sc…

The Professional Scrum Master™ level II (PSM II) assessment is available to anyone who has passed the PSM I assessment and wishes to demonstrate his or her ability to apply the Scrum framework to solving advanced, complex problems in the real world...

Sean S Jeong
02:53 pm July 6, 2017

Hi Abiodun,

I know PSM II doesn't require PSM I, as described in links below:

https://www.scrum.org/forum/scrum-forum/7814/my-experience-tackling-psm…

https://www.scrum.org/forum/scrum-forum/7362/psm-ii-psm-i-prerequisite

I do not have the information for PSM III, however. In fact, the page for PSM III does state for some reason that:

" Required assessment: PSM I (must pass) and PSM II "

which is odd. I wonder if I can get word from scrum.org staff.

 

Timothy Baffa
08:55 pm July 6, 2017

Sean, just curious, but how much experience do you have working as a Scrum Master?

 

In my opinion, the PSM I is primarily based on textbook knowledge of the Scrum Guide.   The PSM II is based on applying that knowledge to proposed scenarios and situations.

 

Think of it as learning a language.   You can get the "book" knowledge down, but it is another level to be able to "think" in that language.  

 

I would highly advise against jumping straight to the PSM II without a solid understanding of Scrum based on real-world experience.

Sean S Jeong
05:59 pm July 11, 2017

Hi Tim, thanks for your comment.

I do have a lot of agile pm experience, but only a few years as a SM.

I asked the scrum.org team about prerequsites -- and they say PSM III has no prerequisites. I decided to do PSM I regardless how I would do. I am glad to report I passed with 100% (or I hope so, and that it's not glitching!)

I am wondering whether working for PSM III or II would be better now.

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