Scrum Alliance CSM: Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) test

Last checked November 10, 2026 against the official Scrum Alliance exam page.

1. Question 1Scrum

   A stakeholder at a sprint review asks which role on the Scrum Team is solely accountable for delivering each Increment. The team has a Product Owner, a Scrum Master, and six Developers. What is the best answer?

   1. AThe Product Owner alone, because the Product Owner owns the Product Backlog and the value of the product
   2. BThe Scrum Master, because the Scrum Master coordinates the work and removes obstacles for the team
   3. CThe Developers, because they do the hands-on work of building the Increment each Sprint
   4. DThe Scrum Team as a whole, because the Scrum Team is accountable for creating a usable Increment together
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   Correct answer: D

   The Scrum Team as a whole is accountable for the Increment, and there are no sub-teams or individual owners of delivery. The Product Owner is accountable for value and ordering, the Scrum Master for the Scrum framework, and the Developers for building the work, so none of them alone is accountable.

2. Question 2Scrum Master Core Competencies

   In a Sprint Planning meeting, two senior Developers dominate the discussion while a quieter Developer has not spoken. The Scrum Master wants every voice heard. What is the best facilitation move?

   1. ATell the group which estimate is correct, and ask everyone to accept it so the meeting ends on time
   2. BInvite the quieter Developer to share a view, using a round-robin so that everyone speaks
   3. CAssign the two senior Developers to lead the next planning session so their expertise guides the team
   4. DReschedule the planning meeting to a later date so people can prepare written notes and contribute in writing
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   Correct answer: B

   Facilitation means guiding the group's process so every member can contribute, and a round-robin is a simple technique for that. Telling the group the answer, handing leadership to the dominant voices, or delaying the meeting does not give the quieter Developer a fair voice in the discussion.

3. Question 3Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization

   Several people, including a Product Owner, a stakeholder, and Developers, expect the Scrum Master to make product decisions for them, and the Scrum Master feels pressure to take charge. How should the Scrum Master lead?

   1. AMake the final product decisions, since the Scrum Master has the broadest view of the team's work
   2. BServe the team and the organization by helping people make their own decisions and see the value of Scrum
   3. CAssign each Developer's tasks every morning so the work is divided evenly and finished on schedule
   4. DStay out of decisions entirely, leaving the Product Owner, stakeholders, and Developers to resolve every conflict alone
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   Correct answer: B

   The Scrum Master is a true leader who serves the team and the organization, which means helping others make their own decisions and understand Scrum rather than taking over product or task decisions. Making product decisions, assigning every task, or withdrawing from conflict would each fail to serve the team.

4. Question 4Scrum

   A manager proposes splitting a nine-person Scrum Team into a design sub-team and a coding sub-team, each with its own lead. Which response is consistent with the Scrum Guide?

   1. AApprove the split, since each sub-team can plan its own Sprint Goal and report progress to the manager
   2. BKeep one self-managing Scrum Team, since the Scrum Guide allows no sub-teams within it
   3. CApprove the split but have the Scrum Master report progress from both sub-teams to the Product Owner daily
   4. DReject the split only if velocity drops, since sub-teams are permitted for large products in Scrum
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   Correct answer: B

   Within a Scrum Team there are no sub-teams or sub-hierarchies, and the team is self-managing. Approving the split or giving each sub-team its own Sprint Goal breaks that structure, and making the split conditional on velocity misreads the framework.

5. Question 5Scrum Master Core Competencies

   Which statement best describes facilitation as a Scrum Master skill?

   1. AGuiding a group through a process so it reaches its own outcomes, without taking sides on the content
   2. BPassing expertise to individuals through structured lessons, assessments, and practice exercises
   3. CBeing responsible for the team's performance reviews, pay decisions, and long-term career plans
   4. DTelling the team which technical solutions to adopt, so that decisions are made quickly and consistently
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   Correct answer: A

   Facilitation helps a group run its own process and reach its own outcomes, while the facilitator stays neutral on content. Directing technical choices, teaching structured lessons, and managing pay and performance reviews are different activities that do not define facilitation.