Professional Scrum Master level III (PSM III) Practice Test

PSM III Exam Overview

• Purpose: Validates expert-level Scrum Mastery, focusing on applying Scrum principles in complex, real-world scenarios.

• Target Audience: Experienced Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, and leaders aiming to demonstrate distinguished Scrum expertise.​

Exam Format

• Type: Online, non-proctored, essay-based assessment.

• Questions: 24 essay questions.

• Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes).

• Language: English only.

• Passing Criteria: Each response is evaluated to determine if it meets, exceeds, or does not meet the grading expectations. The overall result is a "Pass" or "Did Not Pass" based on the collective assessment of all responses. ​

Cost & Attempts

• Fee: $500 USD per attempt.

• Discount: A 40% discount is available if you've previously completed a Scrum org PSM course.

• Retakes: No free retakes; each attempt requires a new purchase.​

Scoring & Feedback

• Evaluation: Responses are manually graded by Scrum experts.

• Feedback: Post-assessment, you'll receive detailed feedback indicating how each response was scored (e.g., met expectations, did not meet expectations) along with insights into areas for improvement.

• Result Notification: Results are typically emailed within 4 weeks of submission.​

Preparation Recommendations

• Prerequisites: While not mandatory, it's strongly recommended to have:

  • PSM I and PSM II certifications.

  • Several years of experience as a Scrum Master.

• Study Materials:

  • The latest Scrum Guide.

  • Scrum org's Learning Paths and Open Assessments.

  • Books such as:

    • Scrum – A Pocket Guide by Gunther Verheyen.

    • Fixing Your Scrum by Ryan Ripley & Todd Miller.

    • Coaching Agile Teams by Lyssa Adkins.

• Practice: Regularly practice articulating your thoughts on complex Scrum scenarios in writing to prepare for the essay format.​

• Key Topics Covered:

  • Scrum Master stances (servant leader, coach, mentor, facilitator)

  • Scrum principles and values

  • Scrum roles and accountabilities

  • Leadership styles and change management

  • Scaling Scrum and working with multiple teams

  • Supporting the Product Owner and stakeholders

  • Coaching and facilitation techniques

  • Removing organizational impediments

  • Real-world Scrum scenarios and decision-making

  Tips for Success

• Time Management: Allocate approximately 6 minutes per question to ensure all are addressed within the time limit.

• Clarity: Use clear, concise language. Bullet points can help structure your answers effectively.

• Authenticity: Draw upon your real-world experience to provide practical examples that demonstrate your understanding.

• Review: Familiarize yourself with common challenges and misconceptions in Scrum to better prepare for scenario-based questions.​