CSM® Syllabus

Comprehensive CSM curriculum to help you successfully clear the CSM exam in the first attempt

Completing a two-day Scrum Master training course is a prerequisite to taking the exam. In order to pass the exam, receive the certificate, and effectively implement Scrum at your organization, the authorized center’s syllabus is adequate. In this article, we cover the outline of your CSM® course. 

CSM Curriculum

CSM Curriculum

The objective of the CSM® course is to teach you the fundamentals of Scrum techniques and give you the intellectual tools needed to implement Scrum. Our CSM course curriculum is designed for both budding and experienced project managers. The Certified ScrumMaster Syllabus covers the basics and leads up to advanced Scrum concepts. 

Here’s the CSM course outline: 

Fundamentals of Scrum 

The Certified ScrumMaster course introduces you to the basic concepts of Scrum and Agile. It covers the four values and twelve principles contained in the Agile Manifesto, and the five Scrum Foundations values. It takes you through the seven objectives of Scrum and Agile: Intro to Lean, Agile, and Scrum, Agile Facilitation, Agile Coaching, Service to the Development Team, Service to the Product Owner, Service to the Organization, and Scrum Mastery. 

Concepts and Terminologies in Scrum 

The Certified ScrumMaster course curriculum will then cover the basic concepts and commonly used terminologies. Scrum terms like Backlog, Burndown chart, Kanban, Poker Planning, Stand up / Daily Meeting, etc. are globally used terminologies that every Scrum master needs to be familiar with. 

Scrum Roles & Scrum Ceremonies 

You will be introduced to the three roles and core concepts (Scrum ceremonies) of Scrum. Scrum comprises of three roles: the product owner, the scrum master and the scrum team. It consists of three artefacts, which are the product backlog, sprint backlog, and product increment. Finally, it also consists of four important activities: the daily standup meeting, the sprint planning meeting, the sprint review meeting and the retrospective meeting. You will be taught the other aspects of Scrum, along with these core concepts. 

Core Competencies of Scrum 

The Certified ScrumMaster curriculum will cover the nuances and skills needed to manage and motivate a team as the Scrum Master. You will be taught the concepts of Coaching Agile Practices, Enforcing Rules, Removing Distractions, Servant leader, Forecasting, etc. 

Many Responsibilities of a Scrum Master 

A Scrum Master can undertake multiple roles within an organization: Facilitator, Servant-Leader, Manager, Mentor, Coach, Motivator, Advisor, etc. The tools and methods of managing teams/tasks could change based on responsibility, and you will be taught how to facilitate each responsibility within the organization. 

Use Cases 

Along with classroom training, you will also be involved in hands-on practice sessions, through knowledge building games and interactive projects.  

Post your CSM® training, you will be ready to answer the Scrum Master Certification exam. 

BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH THE CSM CERTIFICATION

Distinguish yourself as a Scrum Alliance-Certified ScrumMaster and be ready become part of an elite group of Scrum specialists responsible for the effective implementation of the Scrum framework and building high-performance Scrum teams and guiding them to success.

Master the core concepts of Scrum, including the roles and responsibilities of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, as well as Scrum ceremonies and artifacts in our experiential learning sessions, power-packed with activities, role-plays, real-world simulations, and case studies. Our expert Scrum Alliance-Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) will deliver a captivating course bringing on board their vast expertise in the most engaging way.

  • 16 Hours of Live Training by CSTs: Guaranteed-to-run, live, fun and interactive sessions
  • PDUs and SEUs: Earn 16 Professional Development Units (PDUs) and 16 Scrum Education Units (SEUs) for continual learning.
  • 4 High-Quality Mock Exams: Practice to ace the CSM exam with comprehensive mock exams
  • Unlimited Scrum-Enablement Sessions: Get answers to all your real-life Agile and Scrum challenges
  • 20 SEUs with Complimentary CSM Course: Renew your certification effortlessly with our complimentary course.
  • Comprehensive Exam Support: Unlock success in your certification with thorough exam preparation and support.
  • Scrum Alliance Membership: Access a 2-year Scrum Alliance Membership, connecting you to a global Scrum community.
  • Unlock Complete Job Support: LinkedIn, resume assistance, mentorship, access to 5,000+ hiring partners and more.
  • Gateway to Largest Global Community: Become part of a thriving Scrum ecosystem, fostering networking opportunities and global connections.

Learn in fun, interactive sessions by CSTs experienced across industries along with peers from all over the world. Experience engaging and interactive learning sessions led by Certified Scrum Trainers (CSTs) with diverse industry expertise. Bid farewell to dull lectures and monotonous PowerPoint presentations and say hello to a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment.

RISING DEMAND FOR CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTERS


Armed with this coveted Scrum certification, not only will you be well positioned to command salaries 21% higher on average than that earned by your non-certified peers, but also ready to land in-demand Scrum roles like Scrum Master, Delivery Lead, Agile Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Program Manager and Project Manager.

At the end of the course, participants will take an online exam to demonstrate their understanding of Scrum and earn their Certified ScrumMaster certification. This certification is recognized globally and demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and skills to effectively facilitate Scrum in a team or organization.

Join peers from around the globe for an exciting educational journey that will propel you towards earning your Certified ScrumMaster certification.

Learn more about Scrum Master salaries and career growth.

Scrum Masters are highly valued across industries and the demand for skilled professionals, especially those backed by certifications is at an all-time high. The benefits of a Scrum Master certification such as CSM are severalfold:

  • You will gain a high degree of proficiency in executing Scrum
  • The certification will set you apart from your non-certified peers 
  • You will contribute to cultivating a healthy work environment
  • You will be self-motivated to perform well and elevate the performance of the team
  • You will unlock great earning potential and stand to receive job offers in IT as well as non-IT organizations with a great pay package

In today's rapidly changing world, most IT, as well as non-IT industry players, are hiring professionals well-versed in Agile and Scrum frameworks and those holding certifications from global accredited organizations such as Scrum Alliance are preferred. Certified Scrum Masters can add immense value to enterprises in several ways including: 

  • Guiding team members through product development
  • Helping the team deliver quality products
  • Participating in team activities with ease and learning how to own tasks
  • Resolving impediments and enhancing the team’s collaboration
  • Acting as change agents and enabling a culture in which teams can flourish
  • Becoming a servant leader for Scrum teams involved in developing high-value products

Process to become a Certified Scrum Master

Your Path to CSM® Exam Success

  • LEARN with Live, Instructor-led Sessions

    Learn with interactive live training sessions from accredited CSTs who also have years of experience as active Scrum practitioners across domains. upGrad KnowledgeHut a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 450,000+ Agile professionals, and you can get the best of this experience by learning with upGrad KnowledgeHut.  

  • STUDY with Scrum Alliance-Approved Curriculum

    Study with a curriculum crafted by Professionals licensed by Scrum Alliance and understand the core concepts of Scrum events- Sprint, Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective.

  • PRACTICE with Case Studies, Role-Play, and Scrum Activities
    With the knowledge gained through experiential workshops, you can practice the concepts learnt with real-life case studies, role-play exercises where you replicate work-like environments, and participate in Scrum activities to embrace the role of a Scrum Master across enterprises. Clear all your doubts with mentors in weekly Scrum enablement sessions, which are vital in your exam success.

  • GET EXAM-READY with 4 CSM Mock Exams
    After mastering the knowledge learnt through ample practice, you can opt for 4 CSM mock exams that follow the exam pattern thoroughly and help you gain the confidence to crack the exam in your first attempt.

  • TAKE THE EXAM and Ace it in the Very First Go!
    Take the exam confidently and crack the 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions in 60 minutes. You will need to pass with a score of 74%. We're by your side through every step of your CSM exam preparation. With us, you'll ace your exam on the very first go and gain a Certified ScrumMaster certification!

Prerequisites for CSM Certification Training

There is no set of eligibility requirements to attend this Scrum Master Certification course and it can be taken by freshers or professionals who want to:  

  • Further their career in project management
  • Deepen their understanding of Scrum

Our experienced CSTs deliver training in such a way that is suitable for both novice and experienced professionals. However, it is beneficial if you have basic Scrum knowledge in a real-world context, in order to get the most from the training. Explore our 1-day Agile and Scrum foundation training for establishing solid groundwork. 

Who Usually Attend CSM Training

  • Software Engineers
  • Product Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Team Leaders
  • Business Analysts
  • Development team members
  • Testers
  • Anyone who would like to build a career as a Scrum Master

upGrad KnowledgeHut Experience for CSM Certification Training

EXPERIENTIAL WORKSHOPS

Learn in an engaging and interactive session with real-world simulations, in-class activities, and industry case studies.

ELITE PANEL OF CSTs

Get trained by Scrum Alliance-accredited CSTs with more than a decade’s experience as Scrum practitioners.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP

Hone your CSM exam readiness and bolster your confidence by practicing with 4 meticulously crafted high-quality mock exams.

SCRUM ENABLEMENT AMAs

Get all your doubts about the exam or how to implement Scrum effectively in continual weekly Ask-Me-Anything sessions with expert CSTs.

ACCESS 5,000+ HIRING PARTNERS

Access our diverse hiring partners, providing a vast array of career advancement and placement opportunities.

MENTORSHIP BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Get mentored by Scrum Alliance-accredited professionals and get real-world tips and industry-proven techniques.

GLOBAL REA OF SCRUM ALLIANCE

We are a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Ally (REA), having trained over 250,000+ Agile professionals.

GATEWAY TO SCRUM COMMUNITIES

Join a Global Network of Agile and Scrum Practitioners certified through upGrad KnowledgeHut across the world.

EFFORTLESS CERTIFICATION RENEWAL

Earn 20 SEUs upon completion of our complimentary Agile and Scrum course worth $300 for seamless certification renewal.

CONTINUE YOUR LEARNING

Redeem a discount coupon on your next course enrollment with KnowledgeHut and fast-track your career! 

COMPREHENSIVE JOB SUPPORT

Benefit from comprehensive job support, including LinkedIn assistance, resume refinement, and mentorship.

CSM Certification Course Curriculum from Scrum Alliance

Learning Objectives:

Get familiar with the 12 principles and 4 values stated in the Agile Manifesto through our popular in-class activity- “Draw and demonstrate”. Herein, you will be asked to form groups and illustrate all 12 principles pictorially.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the 12 principles and 4 values listed in the Agile Manifesto.
  • Demonstrate the benefits of “responding to change” in Agile over “following a plan” in traditional project management.
  • Describe how the Scrum values (courage, focus, commitment, respect, openness) relate to the Scrum artifacts, events, and roles.
  • List and explain the three pillars in Scrum ― Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation.
  • Explain the differences between framework and methodology and understand why Scrum is called a framework.
  • List 5 ways to develop an Agile mindset.
  • Illustrate 2 differences between Agile and Scrum and explain why these two terms cannot be used interchangeably.

Topics Covered:

  • Agile Manifesto
  • 12 Principles
  • 4 values
  • Scrum Foundations (5 Scrum Values)

Learning Objectives:

Learn more about the three roles in Scrum with role-based activities. Each group will play a simulation game called “candy catch” that will have three iterations. The Scrum Master and Product Owner (chosen by group members) will coordinate and help the team achieve the highest target within the shortest time.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Conduct a retrospective to list 3 techniques to improve the performance and turnaround time.
  • Explain the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master and a Product Owner.
  • List 3 differences between a Scrum Master and a Product Owner and understand why these two roles should not overlap.
  • Discuss how a product owner acts as a bridge between the development team and the stakeholders.
  • Understand why a Scrum Master is not an active participant but a facilitator in the Scrum events and ceremonies.
  • List 3 demerits of having a development team of less than 3 members or greater than 10 members.

Topics Covered:

  • Scrum Master roles and challenges
  • Product Owner roles and responsibilities
  • Development team roles and responsibilities

Learning Objectives:

Take part in the Scrum Paper Plane game and learn how the 5 Scrum ceremonies work. There will be 3 sprints, each lasting 15 minutes. You need to prepare the user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the “why” and “how” of sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and retrospective.
  • Understand why the scope and duration of a sprint are fixed.
  • List 3 ways to avoid sprint backlog spillover.
  • Define sprint goals and discuss 5 benefits of having a sprint goal.
  • Understand how the Scrum Master and the Product Owner should coordinate with the team and list 5 points to improve such communications.
  • Discuss 3 damaging impacts of sprint cancellation and how to avoid it.
  • List 10 sprint anti-patterns (E.g. sprint cancellation, variable sprint length) and understand how these impact the delivery and turnaround time.

Topics Covered:

  • Sprint planning
  • Daily Scrum
  • Sprint Review
  • Sprint Retrospective

Learning Objectives:

Experience how Scrum works in real projects with our simulation game “Crime Teller”. The activity will be divided into 3 sprints, wherein the participants will actively employ Product backlog refinement among other scrum artifacts to solve a given “crime” story.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List and demonstrate 5 salient features of a well-formed product backlog (E.g. estimated, prioritized).
  • Discuss 2 responsibilities of the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and the Development team in creating and maintaining a product backlog.
  • The objective of having a product backlog and best approaches to product backlog refinement.
  • Analyze and discuss the ideal time and capacity to be dedicated to product backlog refinement.
  • Demonstrate 3 activities (E.g. budget and timeline, release schedule) that take place during a sprint review.
  • List 5 sprint review anti-patterns (E.g. delayed   acceptance) and their negative impacts

Topics Covered:

  • Product Backlog
  • Sprint Backlog
  • Product Increment

Learning Objectives:

Learn about Scrum life cycle by taking part in the “coin game”. The participants will be linking ceremonies to create effective sprint goals. This module will focus on the common challenges in sprint execution and enable team members to improvise.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between resolution meetings and daily standups.
  • Explain the benefits of collaborations with product owners.
  • List 3 demerits of over collaboration of the product owners.
  • Demonstrate 3 ways to break the barriers and collaborate
  • Demonstrate creation of sprint burndown chart
  • Explain 3 approaches to increase efficiency in the team

Topics Covered:

  • Sprint Execution Planning
  • Flow management
  • Resolution meetings
  • Communication (Taskboard, Sprint burndown chart using story points, hours effort)

Learning Objectives:

Play the “Marshmellow Tower” game and learn more about daily scrum and sprint retrospective in real scrum projects. The tallest tower built with the minimum raw materials and in the shortest time frame will win. Acceptance criteria will be defined by the instructor.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of 15-minute timebox for daily scrum meetings.
  • List 3 differences between traditional meetings and daily stand-ups.
  • Describe 2 roles played by the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team in daily scrum.
  • List the 3 critical questions pertaining to the daily scrum agenda.
  • List 2 responsibilities of the Scrum Master, Product Owner, and the Development team during the sprint retrospective.

Topics Covered:

  • Activities in daily scrum
  • Activities in sprint retrospective

Learning Objectives:

Familiarize yourself with Definition of Done (DoD) and Acceptance Criteria with the “Crazy Juggler” game wherein you need to pass a fixed number of balls to non-adjacent team members within a certain time frame and collect them in a paper bag once marked as “Done”.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Explain Definition of Done at three levels ― user story (e.g. writing code), sprint, and release (e.g. preparing release notes).
  • List 3 benefits of Definition of Done and explain why it can evolve over a certain period of time.
  • Prepare a checklist (with a minimum of 7 entries) of an ideal DoD.
  • Mention 3 risks associated with an ill-formed DoD.
  • List 5 characteristics of good acceptance criteria.
  • Understand who all should be involved in drafting the acceptance criteria.
  • List 3 negative impacts of not following the acceptance criteria.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of Done for a feature (user story or product backlog item)
  • Definition of Done for a sprint
  • Definition of Done for a release
  • Definition of Done vs. Acceptance criteria
  • Done vs. Done-Done.

Learning Objectives:

Acquaint yourself with the Definition of Ready with our Lego blocks game wherein the attendees will be asked to build a city out of Lego building blocks. The “definition of ready” checklist for the final deliverable will be determined by the instructor.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Create an ultimate checklist of Definition of Done.
  • List 3 negative impacts of an ill-formed Definition of Done.
  • Identify at least 3 benefits of a shared Definition of Done for multiple teams working on the same product backlog.
  • List 2 ways to improve Definition of Done.
  • Clearly understand the differences between “done” and “done done”.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of Ready for user story
  • Definition of Ready for sprint

Learning Objectives:

Play the self-organization game “Human Knots” by forming teams of 5-6. Groups where team members can untie themselves first win. The time frame for this activity will be decided by your instructor. Each team will have a Scrum Master and Product Owner chosen by group members.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and understand the steps involved in release planning.
  • List 3 benefits of a well-organized release planning.
  • List 3 outputs of release planning.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition of release planning
  • Who takes part in release planning
  • Steps in Release planning
  • Output of Release Planning

Learning Objectives:

Acquaint yourself with the Sprint Burndown Chart concepts by taking part in the ball point game. There will be 5 iterations and the number of points being expected at the end of the release will be communicated to the team.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and understand sprint burndown chart.
  • List 3 primary reasons to use a burndown chart.
  • Learn how to create and calculate a burndown chart.
  • Explain how to adjust upcoming sprints based on the burndown.
  • List 3 critical information obtained from a burndown chart.
  • List 5 merits and 2 demerits of using a burndown chart.
  • Understand 5 common errors that lead to misleading information in burndown charts.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Why and when to use a sprint burndown chart
  • Information obtained from sprint burndown chart

Learning Objectives:

Take part in the ball point game and understand the in-depth concepts of release burn-up charts and why Scrum teams use them. There will be 5 iterations and once the sprint is completed, the team will put a mark on the release burn-up as to how many points are completed.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of having a release goal (based on historical data and agreement).
  • Demonstrate the importance of release burn-up in understanding the current status.
  • List 2 differences between burndown and burn-up charts.
  • Explain how to adjust release planning (if needed) based on the burn down.
  • Tell one primary advantage of a burnup chart over a burndown chart.  

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Features
  • How to create a release burn-up chart (steps)

Learning Objetives:

Explore the fundamentals of product planning, including understanding stakeholders and prioritizing features aligned with organizational goals. Delve into crafting a clear and inspiring product vision statement that guides decision-making throughout the development process. Learn practical techniques for creating and managing a product backlog effectively, ensuring continuous alignment with customer needs. Finally, understand the concepts of product roadmap, minimum releasable features, and minimum viable products to drive value-driven development in Agile environments.


Topics Covered:

  • What is product planning
  • What is product vision
  • How to create a product backlog
  • Product Roadmap 
  • Minimum Releasable features (or) Minimum Marketable Features 
  • Minimum Viable Products

Learning Objectives:

Be a part of the Lego Building Blocks game wherein participants will be asked to write user stories for every activity involved. The game will entail 3 iterations and attendees will prepare user stories that will cover the features and functionalities along with acceptance criteria. 


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • Define and explain user stories and understand the importance of user stories in real-time projects.
  • Explain the 3 Cs in user stories.
  • Discuss the importance of acceptance criteria and list 3 scenarios that might arise when the acceptance criteria are not met.

Topics Covered:

  • What are user stories?
  • Structure/format of user stories
  • INVEST criteria

Learning Objectives:

Learn more about the “what” and “how” of Agile estimation with our in-class Agile board game “Scrumble”. In an interactive setting, this game will let you analyze the common challenges faced by Scrum team members during implementing different estimation techniques in Agile.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List and demonstrate 5 benefits of Agile estimation.
  • Understand the 7 popular Agile estimation techniques and decide which one is the best for your project.
  • Discuss 3 benefits of Relative Estimation and Planning Poker.
  • List and explain 3 common mistakes made while using Relative Estimation and their negative impacts.
  • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Benefits of Agile Estimation
  • Agile estimation techniques

Learning Objectives:

Know everything about planning poker from our popular poker card estimation game. Team members/estimators have to privately select one card and the value on each card would represent the story point. Once all cards are revealed, the values need to be discussed.


At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

  • List 5 benefits of planning poker estimation technique.
  • Decide the best sequence for the values (story points) on cards for your real-time projects.
  • Discuss in detail the 5 critical steps in Planning Poker. 
  • List 3 points to heed for employing planning poker for distributed teams.

Topics Covered:

  • Definition
  • Benefits
  • Participants
  • How to play planning poker
  • Planning Poker rules

What You Will Learn in This CSM Workshop

JOURNEY OF A CERTIFIED SCRUM MASTER PROFESSIONAL


CSM Training and Certification FAQs

Certified ScrumMaster®

A Certified ScrumMaster® is a professional designated by Scrum Alliance as a Scrum practitioner who can skillfully lead project teams. A Scrum Master is not a project leader or project manager but instead, a Servant Leader who assists the team to succeed with the Scrum framework.

When it comes to being a successful Scrum Master, there are certain roles and responsibilities that need to be performed. Following are the primary roles and responsibilities of a scrum master:

  • Act as a facilitator and servant leader who encourages self-organization
  • Remove obstacles so that the team can focus more on work and follow practices of Scrum
  • Protect the team from internal and external distractions
  • Ensure a good relationship between the product owner and the team along with the members outside the team
  • Set up an environment where the team can perform more effectively
  • Manage the scrum process in coordination with the scrum team
  • Conduct retrospective meetings
  • Address team progress

The most important skills that every Scrum Master should have are as follows:

  • Systems Thinking: This skill helps the Scrum Master to build a comprehensive perspective towards the whole organization as a system. 

  • Facilitation ability: The Scrum Master facilitates the Scrum events for the team members to reach a high-end decision.

  • Complex Problem Solving: The Scrum Master will be able to handle various complex situations while undertaking product development.

  • Coaching: Team members need someone to guide and coach them to follow Scrum principles properly, which the Scrum Master does.

The exponential growth of Scrum, combined with the rising Scrum adoption in 65% of IT enterprises globally indicates the need for Certified ScrumMasters who can facilitate complex project execution. A CSM certification from any Global REP (Registered Education Provider) helps reinforce your industry identity as an Agilist who can lead projects to successful execution.

The Scrum Master role is created to be a part of the Scrum framework. The name itself indicates that a person is an expert at Scrum and ensures that his/her team is also following the Scrum framework correctly. Scrum Master is responsible for creating a culture of trust, self-organizing teams, and transparency while removing the obstacles that are inhibiting the project’s progress. Here is a list of several Scrum Master certifications along with the certification bodies:

Certification Body Certificate Name
Scrum AllianceCertified ScrumMaster® (CSM®)
Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master (PSM ™ )
Scaled Agile Academy SAFe® Advanced Scrum Master (SASM)
Project Management Institute (PMI)®Project Management Institute- Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
SCRUMstudyScrum Master Certified (SMC ™ )

Scrum Alliance, the renowned Agile membership and certification organization for the professionals offers various levels of certification to become proficient in Scrum. The certifying body always believes in a high level of personal interaction to understand Scrum. The newly designed course model of Scrum Alliance fosters collaboration, increased productivity, and success among the team members. 

Membership of the Scrum Alliance community offers you a networking platform if you are interested in your Agile journey and lets you connect with other Scrum practitioners. It aids you to get future growth through certification, knowledge sharing, and community support, which is very rare in the IT domain.

A Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM) training workshop is conducted by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST) and teaches the Scrum terminology, practices, and principles that will enable the participant to act as a Scrum Master or Scrum team member. This credential is a first step on the path to a successful Agile career.

No, there is no online/virtual course for CSM. Scrum Alliance believes that understanding Scrum requires a greater level of personal interaction than cannot be delivered in a virtual environment.

Through this membership you can join local user groups, online social networks, gain access to deep discounts on gatherings, and additional member-only resources.  In addition, CSMs can use a specially designed logo to highlight their credentials.

According to Scrum Alliance, a Certified ScrumMaster® course helps increase the likelihood of a project’s overall success by applying Scrum principles and techniques in the right way. By understanding the values, practices, and applications, you can act as a ‘servant leader’ rising above and beyond an average project manager and helping your organization achieve meaningful goals

Job opportunities are continuously increasing in number which in turn is raising the demand for professional and skilled scrum masters. Our training will give you an edge in your job search and help you to get a high-paying job that will set you up to go in a new direction in your Agile journey.

Not just software companies but many other industries are looking for Scrum Masters to improve their organizational processes. Here is the list of top industries and companies that have hired Certified Scrum Masters:


Information Technology:

  • Philips
  • Dell
  • Honeywell
  • Allstate India
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Siemens
  • Informatica
  • Capgemini
  • Intel
  • Zensar Technologies
  • Accenture
Telecom:
  • Vodafone India Services Private Limited
  • Techstar Software Development India Pvt
  • Nokia Siemens Networks Ltd
  • France Telecom
  • NewWave Telecom & Technologies
  • ENGIE Insight
  • Rockwell Automation
  • Synacor
  • Frontier Communications Corporation
Federal:
  • First Tech Federal Credit Union
Manufacturing companies:
  • Applied Materials India Private Limited
  • Applied Materials
  • Johnson Controls

Tool Name

Features

Cost

Jira

The most popular and widely used cloud and subscription-based software for Agile teams.

$10/month for up to 10 users

$7/month for 11-100 users

Vivify Scrum

A well-balanced tool with an appealing UI and useful Scrum features.

Offers free version for 14-days

$8/user/month

ScrumDO

This is the tool built and priced to scale your Agile projects.

$8.99/month for up to 10 users

Manuscript

A new tool built for the real-world barriers that exist in a software development environment.

$62/month for 5 users

Axosoft

This scrum tool offers organization and structure to many components of Scrum project management.

$25/month for 5 users

Targetprocess

This Scrum tool enables software development teams to speed up product delivery at all levels of the organization.

Offers free Team version

$20/user/month

Yodiz

It offers a greater degree of visibility into your team’s progress and increases overall efficiency.

Offers free version for up to 3 users

$3/user/month

Quickscrum

This Scrum tool helps your team to collaborate better, reach goals, and improve continuously.

$3/user/month

Scrumwise

It allows you to focus on your project, improve communication, enhance teamwork and gives you faster results.

$7.50/user/month

ScrumDesk

Designed for teams implementing Scrum or Kanban and supports Agile practices like root cause analysis or retrospectives.

Free for up to 4 users

$9/month for up to 5 users

ClickUp

It helps to make projects more productive with a well-designed and intuitive platform.

$5/user/month

Zoho Sprints

A tool that helps Agile teams plan and track their work.

Offered as a free tool for up to 3 users and 2 projects

$8.30/user/month for up to 10 users

The certifications offered by Scrum Alliance provide several ways of proving yourself as a competent and skilled Scrum and Agile practitioner. Here are the three Scrum Master certification levels by Scrum Alliance:

1.CSM (Certified Scrum Master)

Introductory course for those wishing to become a Scrum Master or play a role as a Scrum team member.

2.A-CSM (Advance – Certified Scrum Master)

Advanced course for those who have work experience as a Scrum Master.

3.CSP (Certified Scrum Professional)

Pinnacle/Expert-level course for individuals wishing to build mastery in the Scrum Master role.

Your next step toward a Certified Scrum Professional after earning your CSM certification and a year of experience working as a CSM on a Scrum Team is to achieve your Advanced Certified ScrumMaster (A-CSM℠) certification.

CSM Training

Take a quick look at the complete details of the CSM certification course before you register:

CSM CourseDetails
CSM Certification CostINR 23999 in India, USD 995 in the US, CAD 1195 in Canada
Discount
Up to 20%
CSM Exam
1hr online test which comprises of 50 MCQs
CSM Exam Fee
Included in the certification cost
CSM Certification Validity
2 Year Validity
CSM Renewal Fees
$100
CSM Salary
$1,15,766 per year
Refund Policy
100% if canceled within 48 hours

The Certified ScrumMaster® course offers training in the fundamentals essential for Scrum team members or a professional Scrum Master.

There are no prerequisites for attending the course itself. A degree of course completion from our Certified Scrum Trainer makes you eligible for Scrum Alliance’s Online CSM Test.

One need not bother with a specific background to become a Scrum Master. Individuals with Scrum Master skills can emerge out of any field.

The following individuals can take this course:

  • Anyone who would like to build a career as a Scrum Master
  • Teams transitioning to Scrum
  • Managers of Scrum teams
  • Scrum team members such as product owners and developers

If you are already working as a Scrum Master, then taking this course helps to strengthen your Scrum knowledge and skills.

Our Certified Scrum Trainers® (CSTs) are:

  • Professionals licensed by Scrum Alliance to teach the official Scrum Alliance curriculum.
  • Masters in Scrum who have immense experience in leading, applying, coaching, and teaching it.
  • Skilled in product management and software development.
  • Subject experts who are active in software development and local Agile communities, along with the broader global Scrum and Agile movements.

Our dedicated team of CSTs deliver training on par with the standard of excellence as set out by Scrum Alliance. So, every candidate receives the same high-quality content irrespective of the trainer and the location. They help you further develop the competencies and skills you need to make a difference in your organization.

No, it cannot be taken. Scrum Alliance believes that true learning requires in-person training and hands-on experience with a CEC or CST. The CSM exam is not provided as a substitute for formal training.

No. Certified membership is for individuals who have completed the CSM classroom training.

It is advisable that before attending the Certified ScrumMaster® course, you should familiarize yourself with the resources available on the Scrum Alliance website. These Scrum resources will help you embrace the Scrum principles and practices and will lead to greater success in the CSM exam.

After completing your CSM course, you will receive an email from Scrum Alliance that includes a link to create your login credentials. After receiving your membership email, you have 90 days to take and complete the test.

Our experienced and highly qualified trainers deliver a practical and interactive training programme with accurate, clear, and updated materials to help you understand the concepts clearly and pass your CSM exam without much difficulty.

CSM Certification Exam

CSM is an open-book exam and is easy to pass. Together with the theoretical knowledge gained by passing the Scrum Master certification exam,the activity-based sessions included in the training help in gaining hands-on knowledge of the Scrum concepts and its practical applicability, which are the most significant aspects to understand the Scrum framework. 

The Certified ScrumMaster certification exam is an online test comprising of 50 multiple choice questions. Candidates will have 1-hour (60 minutes) to finish it. A candidate has to score 74% in the exam to pass the Scrum Master certification exam and obtain the certification.


Once you complete the course, you are allowed to take the exam. This exam pattern was decided by subject matter experts (SMEs) from the Scrum Alliance community working in partnership with Scrum Alliance and Prometric, an industry leader in test development.

The Scrum Alliance CSM certification exam fee is included in the Certified ScrumMaster training cost.

Yes. The Scrum Alliance allows you to take the Scrum Master exam at no cost for the first 2 attempts within 90 days after you receive your welcome email. You will be charged a minimum of $25 each from the third attempt or after completing your 90 days. Scrum Alliance suggests to retake the CSM course if you have failed thrice in the exam.

The CSM accreditation body is the Scrum Alliance and its exam fee is non-refundable.

No. There is no mock test; however, we have published a test blueprint at the bottom of the CSM page under ‘Resources.’ This blueprint outlines the percentage of questions from each domain that will be on the 50-question test.The new test still follows the current Learning Objectives as well as the recently published Learning Objectives.

After completing your CSM course, you will receive an email from Scrum Alliance® that includes a link to create your login credentials. The first step will be to take the online exam. Once the exam is complete, you will be asked to accept a license agreement and set up your online profile. It could take up to two weeks after course completion to receive your welcome email.

The individuals can take the online test from a computer anywhere in the world, according to their comfort (home, work, or other location). The test will not be proctored.

No, you will have a time limit of 60 minutes and will not be able to pause the test. If you accidentally close the window, then you’ll be able to reopen it immediately. If you lose internet connection or lose access to the test for an extended period of time, then you may reach out to support@scrumalliance.org to have a new test set up.

Upon finishing the test, you can click on the ‘submit’ button and results will appear immediately on the screen.

Scrum Alliance always strives to maintain the quality and relevance of the CSM certification by validating the best practices in the Agile industry from active practitioners in the field.


The CSM curriculum incorporates the best in current knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to earn the CSM certification.  As such, the Scrum Alliance believes in involving their community to validate what is important in the role of the Scrum Master and then updates the tests to reflect these key areas.

If you choose English as your exam language, you will be able to switch to a newer version as the new test has recently got published. If you choose a different language then you may take the older version till that specific language gets published.


Furthermore, according to the Scrum Alliance, the tests will be launched in other languages in the coming months, as soon as they inspect and adapt to the launch of the English version.

You will find the test blueprint at the bottom of the CSM page under ‘Resources’, on the Scrum Alliance website. This test blueprint covers the stipulated percentage of questions from each domain.


The test blueprint is aligned with the latest version of 2018 LOs. Moreover, the 2018 CSM LOs matches with the November 2017 Scrum Guide. The current LOs can be found on the Scrum Alliance CSM certification webpage and also on ‘Trainer and Coach dashboards’ under “Resources”.

If you've already passed the CSM test, you will not be able to take it again to receive a better score. Your test score is only available to you. Nobody else will be able to see your score on the CSM test.

CSM Certification

CSM was the first professional certification awarded by Scrum Alliance for Scrum Masters. The certification will help you gain a strong understanding of the Scrum Framework, team members’ activities and roles etc. By acquiring this certification, you will be helping the Scrum team work together and perform at their highest level.

Becoming Agile is a continuous process and a CSM certification is a major milestone towards embracing Agility. Not only will you learn the roles and responsibilities of a Scrum Master but will know how to apply it in a variety of environments. It is a validation of your commitment to continued excellence and quality.

Since Scrum is the most popular Agile framework for project management, Scrum Masters are in demand irrespective of the industry type. If you are working in a company where Agile is being widely used then CSM should be your first choice.

You will receive the certification from Scrum Alliance, the CSM accreditation body designating you as a Certified ScrumMaster®. This enhances your industry credibility since a certification from Scrum Alliance is deemed to fulfill the vision of the Agile Manifesto by boosting greater productivity, success, and collaboration among team members.

You will have to attend two days of CSM® training under a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST®). You need to take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge of Scrum and get certified. The exam comprises 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) out of which you need to answer 37 questions correctly within an hour. This means that you need to score 74% in order to pass the exam. Once you pass the exam, you are declared as CSM® certified and you can download the certificate instantly.

CSM is one of the most popular and globally recognized certifications provided by the reputed Scrum Alliance. The demand for Scrum Master training and certifications has increased considerably during the last decade. The reason is that Scrum is now being implemented in industries beyond IT and hence the demand for a certified Scrum professional has increased even beyond his/her current industry of experience.

Scrum Master is a role and not a job title. The average salary of a Certified ScrumMaster® is $100K per year which is really high when compared with other IT certifications.

You will enjoy the following unique benefits with this ScrumMaster certification:

  • Master the foundational concepts of Scrum and understand the scope of the Scrum Master role
  • Gain access to resources, networks, and local groups available to only Scrum Alliance members
  • Get ahead in your Agile career
  • Prove your core Scrum knowledge to your peers
  • Fulfill the role of a Scrum Master
  • Engage with a community of Scrum experts

CSM Certification Process

  • Step  1: Take the 2-day CSM® course from the Global Registered Education Provider of Scrum Alliance. 
  • Step  2: Scrum Alliance will send you a welcome email containing a link after successful completion of course. 
  • Step 3: Click on the link received from Scrum Alliance and activate your Scrum Alliance® certification account where you will be able to complete the CSM test. 
  • Step  4: Take the 1-hour online CSM® test which comprises of 50 MCQs by using those credentials. 
  • Step 5: You will need to pass the CSM® test, after completing the course successfully with a passing score of 74% . 
  • Step 6: Once the test is completed with the minimum passing score, you will be requested to accept a license agreement. 
  • Step 7: After accepting it, you will receive Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®) designation from Scrum Alliance and a 2-year membership with Scrum Alliance as well. 
  • Step 8: If your certification is expired its time to renew. You have to renew it once in two years.

The Scrum framework is evolving and growing as a result of the engagement and contributions of those who share their ideas and practical experiences in the workplace. Renewal of your certification validates your interest in the growth and evolution of Scrum.

CSM certification renewal needs to be done every 2 years. You need to pay $100 to extend the credential for a further period of 2 years from the date of your current expiration. In order to renew your ScrumMaster certification, login to Scrum Alliance website, go to your dashboard and choose the ‘Renew Certification’ option available under the heading ‘Actions’.

From February 4, 2019 onwards, CSMs are required to earn 20 Scrum Educational Units (SEUs) within the past two years, in addition to the $100 renewal fee that has to be paid. This new requirement has been mandated to validate your participation and continued proficiency in the fundamental principles and practices of Scrum. You can earn the required SEUs by completing an educational training or a learning opportunity.

You have worked really hard to acquire the certification. Don’t let it get obsolete! Renew now and hold your certification for 2 years.

There are a number of ways in which SEUs can be earned. You can read here about how to earn your SEUs.

PDUs and SEUs

PDUs and SEUs are Professional Development Units and Scrum Educational Units, issued by the Project Management Institute and Scrum Alliance, respectively. They can be earned by completing educational training or learning opportunities, which serve to validate your participation and continued proficiency in the principles and practices of Scrum. To maintain your certification from Scrum Alliance, you are required to earn a certain number of SEUs every two years.

PDUs and SEUs are credits awarded by the Project Management Institute and the Scrum Alliance respectively. They recognize your dedication to the Agile world through the award of credits for every educational effort you make throughout your career. Scrum Alliance members who hold a credential from Scrum Alliance need to earn SEUs to get re-certified every two years. PDUs are offered by the PMI®, and every PMI® certification, except the CAPM®, requires you to earn a specific number of PDUs per three-year certification cycle.

You can get 14-16 PDUs and SEUs by participating in our 2-day training program.

FAQs

KnowledgeHut Support On Your CSM Journey

In terms of concepts and features, yes, it does. An in-depth understanding of Scrum comes only through real-world experience. 

It shouldn’t, because the CSM® exam is globally conducted by Scrum Alliance irrespective of the institute you learn in. 

The syllabus covers everything you need to know to pass the exam. No pre or post preparation is required. 

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Raj has helped various organizations transition from waterfall to agile. Raj is an adjunct faculty at Penn State University and has taught several technology, Project Management, Agile and Scrum courses for the past 21 years. Raj is a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST® ) from Scrum Alliance and has co-trained and coached with some of the industry’s leading thought leaders. Raj has been a speaker at international conferences, author and also a facilitator for User Groups. Raj has traveled throughout the US, Europe and India to deliver agile classes and to speak at conferences.

Raj has helped various organizations transition from waterfall to agile. Raj is an adjunct faculty at Penn State University and has taught several technology, Project Management, Agile and Scrum courses for the past 21 years. Raj is a Certified Scrum Trainer® (CST® ) from Scrum Alliance and has co-trained and coached with some of the industry’s leading thought leaders. Raj has been a speaker at international conferences, author and also a facilitator for User Groups. Raj has traveled throughout the US, Europe and India to deliver agile classes and to speak at conferences.

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Fadi Stephan is a technology consultant, Certified Scrum Trainer (CST®), and Agile coach with more than twenty years of experience at startups, government agencies, non-profits, and Fortune500 companies across various sectors including financial, hospitality, and homeland. Fadi's focus is on transforming and building high performing innovative organizations and teams that deliver impactful products early and maximize ROI. Fadi trains and coaches clients on agility, leadership, product management, user-centered design, Agile engineering and DevOps.

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Hear From Our Scrum Trainees

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Knowledgehut upGrad’s training is truly world-class. I had enrolled for CSM® training and what I experienced was more than I ever expected. The classes were very engaging, and the concepts were explained with examples for ease of understanding. I recommend Knowledgehut upGrad to anyone interested in getting CSM training and other certifications.

Dibin Babu

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Enrolling for the CSM® training was one of the best decisions that I had made. The service right from enrolling to certification was excellent. The training was filled with real-time Scrum activities and simulations which made the concepts easy to understand. This helped me clear the exam with confidence.

Antriksh Vashistha

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in July 2022
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Confidence is necessary to take advantage of opportunities. Kudos to KnowledgeHut upGrad for boosting my confidence with their training and helping me grab new opportunities in my career and reach new highs. Lavanya Mohan Kumar

Lavanya Mohankumar

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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It was a great start and an awesome experience to get (CSM)® certified through KnowledgeHut. I appreciate the good management and coordination of the team. Thanks a lot.

Praneetha Kotha

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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This 2-day training session helped me widen my knowledge of Scrum methodologies and Agile principles. Everything was well-organized, though it was an online session. My trainer explained the concepts with real-life examples and ensured every participant was on the same page. I highly recommend this course to everyone who wants to become a Certified Scrum Master. Kudos to the team efforts behind this!

Akshay Patole

Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in May 2022
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Wonderful workshop for beginners .A great learning experience. Thank You Knowledge Hut. Instructor made it a interactive session which helped us to understand, learn. Completed successfully CSM course wit good grade!!

pooja Shukla

Senior Software Engineer
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in January 2022
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Interactive and with enough activities to make the course interesting. Handle time well according to 2 differrent timezones Allocate enough time for each activities. Love the Q&A session Improvement: Answers provided by coach Give more real live scenarios and how to handle

Lea Keng Chua

IT
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in December 2020
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The lecturer is very knowledgeable and very clear in explaining the concepts. The workshop experience was great. This is a very helpful course in providing more clarity on how the Scrum framework works in real life situations.

Vanessa Wong

Customer Relationship Manager
Attended Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)® workshop in November 2020

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