Professional Documents
Culture Documents
From: Tom Mellor, Scrum Alliance President
Re: Launch of CSM Exam
CC: Jodi Gibson, Lara Schmutte, Howard Sublett, Scrum Alliance Board Members
As was referenced in a recent posting to the Certified Scrum Trainers (CST) site, the Scrum Alliance
Board of Directors (Board) has decided to move forward with the launch of the online Certified
ScrumMaster (CSM) exam on October 1. The Board understands and appreciates that this decision has
caused confusion and concern after the Alliance announced earlier in September that the launch of the
test would be postponed.
The Board now feels that this step is appropriate for many reasons, including providing the opportunity to
continuously improve the test by observing and analyzing the results of those who take the test after
completing CSM training beginning October 1. Initially, all CSM students who take the test will receive a
passing grade; however, CSTs will need to emphasize to students that it is important to answer each
question on the test to the best of the student’s ability to provide credibility to the results and assure
the Alliance will be able to effectively analyze and evolve the exam for the better.
The Scrum Guide contains much information that will be relevant to questions posed to students on the
exam. It is a valuable resource from which students can help themselves prepare for the test. CSTS
elaborate and expand upon the Scrum Guide content using appropriate contextual exercises and
discussions in their classes. Also, CSTs have the authority to determine whether a student should
receive the CSM certification and prior to taking the CSM test, an examinee must have successfully
completed the CSM training class as determined by the CST.
Our mission at the Scrum Alliance is to Transform the World of Work and providing a quality, sufficient
test of CSM students’ knowledge of Scrum principles, concepts and practices is one part of helping
everyone to effectively apply Scrum wherever they work. Our Certified Scrum Trainers and Certified
Scrum Coaches are the key integral components in conveying knowledge and helping people do Scrum
as effectively as possible. The test will help the Trainers who teach CSM assess how well their students
understand Scrum after training and help the Trainers determine whether they should adjust teaching
styles, methods, and elements.
Below are some more details of how we plan to launch and how we are addressing the localization
issue. Please reach out to myself or Jodi Gibson if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you very
much!
CSM Exam Launch Plan
We will launch on October 1 with 3 variations of the exam.
Each of the 3 variations will have 60 questions out of the total pool of 90 questions.
They will be structured to make sure that each area of the Scrum Guide is equally
represented in each exam.
For a period of time (the length of which is yet undetermined, but will be announced
in the future), all those who take the test will be given a “passing” grade.
Over time, analysis of exam results will help the Alliance determine the best 60
questions that are equally weighted within the content of the Scrum Guide. After this
analysis is complete, the final version of the exam will be selected and it will be given
on a pass/fail basis. Rules will be in place and will be communicated on the Scrum
Alliance site regarding the process of retaking the exam in the event a person fails it.
To solve the issue of localization prior to the exam being converted to multiple
languages, we will have the trainers when loading the students from their class indicate
whether or not this student has the ability to read English and can take the exam. This
will mean that students who do not read or speak English will still be granted
certification without taking the exam – basically the “old way” of doing it. We just feel
it is not fair to require those who do not speak the language to have a non‐ certified
status even after they have paid for a training class.
If you have any questions, please direct them to trainingcertification@scrumalliance.org.
We appreciate the support of all of our community in our endeavor to improve Scrum and transform our
world of work for the better.