CSM Frequently Asked Questions

All I need to do is attend the class, right?

Actually, attendance is mandatory, but participation is actually the big thing. For virtual classes, you can’t just turn on Zoom, turn off your camera, and walk away for 2 or 3 days.  You will also need to pass a fairly easy exam for certification.  The exam is included in the cost of the class, but it is not administered during the class.

I've heard the exam is open-book

You are allowed to use whatever reference materials you want. You are even technically allowed to take the exam with the other students you met in class. The instructor cannot help you assemble for this though. The big rule is that you cannot have anyone help you if they are already certified.

Scrum Masters are just Agile Project Managers, right?

No. Not at all. Project Managers are Project Managers. Scrum Masters are something totally different. Please leave all of your Project Managment experience at home when you take a Scrum Master class.

I took this class 10 years ago and my certification lapsed. Is it the same class?

Yes and no. The certification is the same, but everything else is different. Scrum today is very different than Scrum 10 years ago. Scrum continues to evolve.

Why isn't the exam done during the class?

The big reason is beacuse trainers are not allowed to help students with the exam. Students take the exam on their own, when they feel the time is right for them. You have until 90 days after class to take the exam – we encourage students to take it within 48 hours of the end of class.

Is there prep-work?

We would prefer it if you read the Agile Manifesto, and the Scrum Guide. Most students who have not read these foundational documents have a slower time acclimating to the class.

Can I take the class twice?

If you take the class once with us, we’ll allow you to keep taking it as a refresher for free. If you took it from another trainer, and you had a bad experience, click the “Ask a Question” button below – we might let you take it from us for free.