How I Passed the PSM1 Exam — My Story on the day

Yesterday,I have passed the PSM 1 — Professional Scrum Master Certification from Scrum.org (86.5%). It is a bit of challenge with passing Grade of 85% and required to answer 80 questions in 60 mins.

Just to make the whole scene interesting, as I started the exam my wife received an important phone call and it really made things challenging and worse. In 45 secs, I need to read a 3 to 4-line scenarios and choose the most appropriate 1,2,3 or all choices.

Lesson learnt, never underestimate the power of Mobile phones and keep yourself away from all disturbances. Find a quiet room with internet of course.

Second thing that I learnt is, never give up or become disheartened. The first three questions took more than 6 mins and I was not sure if of the answers are right or not. But I did not loose my nerve, started to focus more despite external disturbances (sounds like a moron), even to the point of covering my ears while reading the questions.Luckily as the test progressed — I became immune to the external disturbances and continued. I could feel the difference and I was becoming confident of passing the assessment.

But, that’s not the end of it. I completed the test with 7 mins remaining and I thought, great let me revise some of the questions that I was doubtful. And, I don’t know the problem but, there is no option to Review the answered questions. I am sure, it existed because this is the second time that I am writing the exam.Let me submit this and then, I might be presented with that option, I thought to myself and Submitted the Answers. And, God. There is no option of “Review your answers” and some message like thanks for your submission or something came up. Then when seconds seemed like Hours and before I could jump out of my chair, I think 10secs. A Congratulations message came up and that is the end of the story.

P.S: Just for the benefit of others who are planning to take the Test, I am planning to write about my exam preparation, what I studied etc. I did not attend a Classroom training for the Professional Scrum Master Course.And, also I did not go back to Scrum.org about the Options “Review your Answers” — because, I passed the Exam and cant be bothered. Maybe, I would have got some extra marks but, that’s OK.