PSM I Sample Questions With Full Explanations
This set of questions is designed to mirror the difficulty and ambiguity of the actual PSM I assessment. Expect to see scenarios that test your understanding of Scrum's empirical nature, the boundaries of the Scrum Master role, and the nuances of the Scrum framework—not just textbook definitions.
Question 1
You are the Scrum Master for a team that has just delivered a valuable Increment. The Product Owner is now asking the team to modify the Definition of Done to include more rigorous performance testing. What is the most appropriate action for you to take? For a deeper dive, check out PSM II Sample Questions With Full Explanations.
A. Advise the Product Owner to wait until the next Sprint Retrospective to raise this.
B. Facilitate a conversation between the Product Owner and the Development Team to discuss the impact of this change.
C. Accept the change and update the Definition of Done immediately, as the Product Owner is accountable for value.
D. Reject the change because the Definition of Done cannot be altered once the Sprint has started.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Definition of Done is owned by the Development Team, but the Product Owner can request changes to increase value. The Scrum Master serves the team and the Product Owner by facilitating the discussion so they can negotiate the trade-offs (e.g., velocity vs. quality) and decide together. Siloing the decision (A), unilaterally changing it (C), or rejecting it (D) violates the collaborative nature of Scrum.
Question 2
During the Daily Scrum, a developer mentions that they have discovered a major technical hurdle that will likely take two days to resolve. What is the appropriate role of the Scrum Master in this situation?
A. Instruct the developer to report the issue to the Product Owner immediately.
B. Ask the developer to explain the technical details so the team can solve it now.
C. Remind the team that the Daily Scrum is a 15-minute time-boxed event to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal.
D. Take the lead in resolving the hurdle to ensure the team can meet the Sprint Goal.
Answer: C
Explanation: The Daily Scrum is for the Developers to inspect progress and adapt their plan for the upcoming day. It is not a problem-solving session. The Scrum Master ensures the event is held and that the time-box is respected. The team (not the Scrum Master) is accountable for figuring out how to handle the hurdle, typically via a follow-up conversation after the Daily Scrum.
Question 3
A stakeholder approaches you, the Scrum Master, and asks you to report on the team’s progress against the release plan. How do you respond?
A. Provide the stakeholder with the Burn-down chart and velocity data.
B. Explain that you do not have the authority to share this information and ask them to contact the Product Owner.
C. Ask the stakeholder to join the next Sprint Review to see the Increment.
D. Forward the request to the Development Team to prepare a status report.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Product Owner is the single point of accountability for managing stakeholders and maximizing the value of the product. They own the release plan and the communication regarding progress. The Scrum Master is not accountable for the Release Plan or reporting on it; directing the stakeholder to the Product Owner is the correct way to ensure transparency without overstepping.
Question 4
A Scrum Team has been working on a complex product with many interdependencies. They are struggling to create a usable Increment by the end of each Sprint. Which action is most aligned with the Scrum Guide?
A. Extend the Sprint duration to give the team more time to integrate.
B. Define a Sprint Goal that focuses on a single, small feature to ensure completion. Readers also benefit from CompTIA Project+ Sample Questions With Full Explanations.
C. Split the team into two smaller teams focusing on different components.
D. Ask the Product Owner to relax the Definition of Done for complex items.
Answer: B
Explanation: A Sprint Goal provides focus and guidance, helping the team decide what to work on to deliver a cohesive, usable Increment. Extending the Sprint (A) increases risk and reduces feedback loops; splitting the team (C) increases coordination overhead; relaxing the DoD (D) erodes quality and transparency. Focusing on a smaller, achievable goal is the best way to ensure a "Done" Increment.
Question 5
In a Scrum Team, who is responsible for estimating the effort required for the Product Backlog Items?
A. The Product Owner, as they are accountable for the Product Backlog.
B. The Scrum Master, as they are responsible for facilitating estimation.
C. The Development Team, as they are the ones doing the work.
D. The entire Scrum Team, including the Product Owner and Scrum Master, to reach a consensus.
Answer: C
Explanation: The Development Team is accountable for the "how" of the work, including providing estimates for the effort required. The Product Owner provides the "what" and can influence priorities, but the sizing is the sole responsibility of the Developers. The Scrum Master facilitates the process but does not provide estimates.
Question 6
A stakeholder asks the Development Team to add a critical, urgent feature during the Sprint. The team is at full capacity. What should the Scrum Master do?
A. Help the team accommodate the request by working overtime.
B. Tell the stakeholder that the request cannot be accepted during the Sprint.
C. Facilitate a discussion between the stakeholder and the Product Owner to assess the impact.
D. Add the item to the Sprint Backlog and remove a lower-priority item.
Answer: C
Explanation: The Product Owner is the sole authority to manage the Product Backlog and negotiate priorities. The Scrum Master's role is to coach the stakeholder and the Product Owner on how to interact effectively. The Scrum Master should not make the decision (D) or reject the request (B), nor should they encourage overtime (A). They must facilitate the negotiation between the stakeholder and the Product Owner.
Question 7
Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the Sprint Retrospective?
A. To review the Increment and gather feedback from stakeholders.
B. To inspect the team's process and create a plan for improvements.
C. To identify which team members were most productive during the Sprint.
D. To refine the Product Backlog for the upcoming Sprint.
Answer: B We recommend pairing this with PSM I Passing Score: How Many Questions You Can Afford to Miss.
Explanation: The Sprint Retrospective is a time for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create an actionable plan for improvement in the next Sprint. It is not about reviewing the product (A), which is the Sprint Review. It is not about individual performance (C), and it is not a backlog refinement session (D), though those can be separate events.
Question 8
You are a Scrum Master for a team of developers that has never worked in Scrum before. They are used to a command-and-control environment. Which approach is most effective in your first few Sprints?
A. Act as a project manager to ensure they follow the Scrum process strictly.
B. Coach them on self-management and empiricism, allowing them to make mistakes and learn.
C. Define the Sprint Backlog for them to ensure they know exactly what to do.
D. Focus on the technical practices and ignore the process until they are comfortable.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Scrum Master is a servant-leader and coach. The most effective way to help a new team is to guide them toward self-management and the empirical pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Taking over as a manager (A) or doing the work for them (C) disempowers the team. Ignoring the process (D) will lead to bad habits that are hard to break.
Question 9
What happens if a Development Team cannot complete all the items it committed to for a Sprint?
A. The Sprint is extended until all the work is complete.
B. The Sprint Goal is changed to match the work that was completed.
C. The incomplete items are returned to the Product Backlog and re-ordered for future Sprints.
D. The team is held accountable and must work overtime in the next Sprint to catch up.
Answer: C
Explanation: This is a normal occurrence in Scrum. The Sprint ends on time, and the incomplete items go back to the Product Backlog. The Product Owner then decides their priority for future Sprints. This transparency allows the team to inspect their estimation and capacity in the Retrospective and improve for the next Sprint.
Question 10
Which of the following is a valid reason for a Scrum Master to cancel a Sprint?
A. The Development Team is unable to meet the Sprint Goal due to unexpected technical issues.
B. The Product Owner becomes unavailable for the rest of the Sprint.
C. The Sprint Goal becomes obsolete due to a major shift in market conditions.
D. The team realizes they have over-committed and cannot finish the work.
Answer: C
Explanation: A Sprint can only be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. This is typically a drastic change in business direction. Technical issues (A) or over-commitment (D) are problems to be solved within the Sprint, not reasons for cancellation. The Product Owner (not the Scrum Master) has the authority to cancel the Sprint (B is incorrect because the Scrum Master doesn't cancel it, and the PO's absence isn't a valid reason).
These questions cover the core areas of the Scrum Master role, the Scrum framework, and the principles of empiricism. Remember, the PSM I exam is not just about memorizing the guide—it's about applying it to real-world situations with common sense and a deep understanding of the underlying values.
As you plan out your preparation, a free Professional Scrum Master I study plan can give you a schedule that fits the time you have.
Every question in Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) sample questions comes with an explanation, so you learn even when you get it wrong.
When you want to gauge which areas need another pass, a free Professional Scrum Master I readiness check gives you a short set of practice questions and points to the topic that needs the most attention.