PSM1 my journey

Hi all at scrum,

I thought i would put together how my journey was to PSM and how it was for me.
This will give anyone taking PSM an insight to it.



I moved to a company that uses scrum so had no real scrum experience.
Only what was banded around on e-mails, so no real knowledge as such.

My main reasons I chose to do a course were as follows

1. Scrum is used in a lot of companies to make a difference, so wanted to find out how.
2. Just what is raw scrum? Not just "scrum" that people call scrum "scrum-ish"
3. I didnt just want something that does not add any value or ROI, I wanted something to build on.

Having observed some things I really wanted to do a course, I wanted raw scrum, the real deal.
A big differenciator for me was the way it is used scrum vs scrummish in organizations.
For some reasons it starts as raw with all good intent but gets dilhuted along the way.
Why or how, I have yet to get to the bottom of but in time may have some answers or thoughts.

So by now we have understood why I wanted to, and the how i was going to do it.
Taking a course, you will study for two days raw scrum, as it was my plan.
Coming together in a group gave me time away from the office to immerse myself.
It was great to be in a class with people that could share experiences with, after
all scrum experiences differ from organization to organization.
This is gold dust to have for any potential new candidate seeking to learn scrum
If you dont have practical experience its going to be difficult, make no mistake.

Two days of study and discussion and exercises passed and having done a lot of courses
I can say that I feel that the course worked for me, I could not have done this self study.
My goals were achieved as I now knew what was raw scrum, not least the role of SM.
A role with no real weight but a lot of responsibility from end to end.
A role that you take part as SM in some ways but a member of development team in other ways.
A role that certainly isnt for the faint hearted.

I studied the scrum guide and took the open exam many times, averaging 95-100% on the open.
On the Forums I read of other peoples experiences and questions they faced.
This gave ne confidence, now if you do a course, some courses offer certification included.
One attempt to take it, the flip side is it only has a two week time on it so must take the exam
within two weeks of getting it, remember this.
So if you have no experience and do a course really only have two weeks to cram and sit the exam.
The exam is 80 questions in 60 minutes, so you really do not have a lot of time to play with.
No concessions are given between self study or course takers, the exam is what it is for everyone.


My first attempt at the exam I failed by one mark, the exam is a tough exam for new people into scrum.
On a plus to know 84% of something new is great, but really wont make you feel any better.
If you fail, ask for feedback from scrum or you wont progress in your learning.
You will not see the wrong answers just like you do in the open, its pass or fail.
The feedback is not in the form of the questions and answers you got wrong, but areas that you were weak in.
Of course there are the forums but if you do post something make it has substance if its a PSM question.
I went away hell bent on a second time pass with more study, more open and expanding the guide more.
I resat my exam and passed and if I'm honest was no easier the second time around for an exposure to resit.
Dont expect the same question set, its isnt going to happen so you must know your stuff.

Some tips on how to get the best out of the forums and PSM prep.
Study the scrum guide, have the ability to expand anything in it (Its a Framework not an all inclusive).
There are some very experienced people on here if you are really struggling use the forums.
You will see lots of can you tell me the answer to Q1-Qx, an answer without knowledge behind it is no use.
Do you want to be a SM or just someone who can pass the exam knowing questions?
Take the open, and keep taking the open and keep taking the open.
Everyone is different and their study methods, be it self learn or course.
Everyone has different levels some are experienced SM, some with no experience as SM.
No concessions for experience or no experience, course of self study.
If you do fail, dont give up its a long way to go jut just call time, especially if your so close.
I have no endorsment to anyone, it's merely an insight into how I found PSM with no experience and how I got there. Without any doubt before I contemplate PSM2 I will gain a few years of practical experience.

Am I glad I took PSM, for me yes as its one of the toughest exams out there at present and shows when you take it, good luck on your quests to be SM and the route to PSM qualification.
Will take a note to thank Ian who gave me some guidance me on a question i did struggle with, shows what experience we have in the forums here.

michael