How Do I Take the CSM® Test?

Test anxiety is real and you have haveI faced it several times. You may feel like witnessing the same tense months when preparing for the test to become a Certified Scrum Master (CSM). So, how do you take the CSM® test? This is what we will be discussing below in detail. The CSM® test is all about confirming the knowledge you have already gathered in the two-day workshop associated with the certification. Think of this CSM® exam as the start of your journey, which is more of a milestone saying, “Hey, you are a pro in project management.”

Everything you need to pass the test you were already taught in the workshop. It’s time you take a deep breath and scroll below to learn some suggestions to take the CSM® test, and other relevant aspects associated with it.

CSM® Certification Overview

CSM® certification course is one of the most in-demand courses offering high-paid job opportunities for professionals associated with Scrum and Agile practices. Professionals like project managers, software architects, testers, developers, and project owners have to complete their CSM® training successfully to envision themselves as Certified Scrum Masters. This helps them understand the Scrum terminologies, practices, and principles. This certification is the only best way for any individual to qualify for the CSM® test on their first attempt. 

Eligibility for the CSM® Test

There are no specific eligibility requirements or prerequisites for a Certified Scrum Master. Yet, it is advisable to understand the Scrum principles and have some working knowledge of the entire process, including Agile methodologies. You become eligible to take up the CSM® test once you complete the two days of training. You must also have a thorough knowledge of the individual roles related to the product owner and the development team before you understand the CSM® test format and consider yourself eligible for it. 

Click here to learn in detail about CSM® certification eligibility.

How to Take the CSM® Test?

You must first take a two-day (16 hours) or live online (14 to 16 hours) CSM® course with Certified Scrum Trainers like Simpliaxis. Course attendance for the given period is compulsory to earn the CSM® certification. You cannot skip the training, which is your only way to take the online CSM test. 

You will receive a welcome email with a unique link to activate your Scrum Alliance® certification account after completing the CSM® course. This link will enable you to complete the CSM® test eventually.

You must follow these steps to take the CSM® test: 

• Sign in to the allotted Scrum Alliance Dashboard. Use your registered email address and username to start with the process. The credentials will be mentioned in the welcome email. 
• Select Activate My Certified ScrumMaster® License at the top of the page. 
• Review the entire agreement before selecting I ACCEPT the agreement which you can see at the bottom of the page. 
• Select Take CSM® Exam on the dashboard. 
• Confirm the preferred language of your choice. 
• Start with the test after you get redirected to mytestcom.net. 

CSM® Test Pattern and Process

You must note the following information regarding your CSM® test pattern before attempting it. 

• You will get 60 minutes to complete the test in the form of an open book. 
• To pass the test, you must answer 37 out of 50 (74%) multiple-choice questions (MCQs) correctly. 
• Ensure to disable all pop-up blockers before starting the test
• Internet Explorer is not a supported browser for the CSM® test. Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. 
• Refrain from using the navigation buttons of the browser while in the test. Failing to do so may prematurely end your test session.
• If you fail in your first attempt, you must reapply within 90 days after the specific workshop.
• However, you must pay Scrum Alliance a $25 exam fee if you fail the second time. 
• Scrum Alliance recommends re-enrolling in the CSM® course if you fail in the third attempt too. 

Tips to Pass the CSM® Test

The following is a combination of practical test-taking advice related to multiple choice CSM tests to become a Certified Scrum Master:

• Read the last sentence of every question first: You will know what information to take from the rest of the question. Hence, you will be less likely to get confused by any tricky wording. 
• Answer the question before you at the given choices. It is because you may probably know the answer already. Later, you may look at the choices for better decision-making. 
• Read all the answers before you select one. This keeps you from picking an answer that may be very close to the correct one. 
• Try to read all the questions from the bottom up. This helps hijack your brain’s bias towards the initial reasonable answer.
• Eliminate all wrong answers before moving forward. It is because a few wrong answers will be obvious in MCQs. 
• Search the web for “tips for multiple-choice tests” for more suggestions related to the CSM test.
• Be sure to choose your class and instructor wisely before taking the CSM course. 
• Ensure all the material you need to pass the test is up to date and covered in your two-day 
• workshop. 
• Take some free exams or mock tests before going for the final CSM test. 
• Flag questions for your review that you are stuck at, and return to it later. 

CSM® Certification Process

You are eligible to become a Certified Scrum Master and a part of Scrum Alliance after you pass the CSM®  test. Follow these procedures to get your professional certificate:

• Sign in to Scrum Alliance and complete the online evaluation. 
• Check the box near the "Agree to the terms and conditions" to submit the form. 
• Download and print the Scrum Master certificate.

Read more on the CSM® Certification process here.

Conclusion

A CSM test is the road to becoming a certified Scrum Master. This open-book test is not complicated and can be completed within an hour. All you need to do is undertake training under experienced professionals to become well-versed in all concepts associated with Scrum and Agile. Simplaxis offers a comprehensive CSM course that covers major concepts of the Scrum framework that you need for Agile Project Management. You will gain extensive experience in learning and applying them to different projects with the guidance of expert Scrum Alliance-certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs). Prepare for the Certified Scrum Master certification through this CSM training course that lasts for two days, and pass the CSM test in one go!