Exam of SAFe Scrum Master Training in San Francisco, United States by Scholaracad Training

The SAFe Scrum Master exam is a key milestone in becoming a certified Scrum Master in a SAFe environment. The exam tests your knowledge of the SAFe framework, your understanding of the Scrum Master role, and how to scale agile practices across an organization.

Key Details of the SAFe Scrum Master Exam

Here are some important aspects of the SAFe Scrum Master exam that potential candidates need to know:

1. Exam Format:

The exam is composed of 45 multiple-choice questions. These questions are designed to test your comprehensive understanding of the SAFe framework and the role of the Scrum Master within it. The questions will cover a wide range of topics related to agile methodologies, the principles of SAFe, and the practical application of these concepts in real-world scenarios.

2. Duration:

You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. This means you will have just under two minutes per question, so it's important to manage your time efficiently during the exam. It’s crucial to pace yourself to ensure you have adequate time to review and answer all of the questions before time runs out.

3. Passing Score:

To pass the exam and become a certified SAFe Scrum Master, you need to achieve a minimum score of 34 out of 45 questions correctly. This translates to approximately 75% of the questions answered correctly. Given that the questions range from basic principles to complex application scenarios, a thorough understanding of the material is required to succeed.

4. Cost:

As mentioned previously, the exam fee is generally included in the cost of the training course. This means that the exam is often bundled into the price of the training program provided by training organizations like ScholarAcad. If not included, the exam fee typically ranges between $50 and $100. It’s important to confirm with your provider whether the exam fee is part of your package.

5. Prerequisites:

There are no formal prerequisites for taking the SAFe Scrum Master exam, meaning that anyone can enroll in the course and attempt the exam. However, some familiarity with agile principles and Scrum practices will certainly help in understanding the concepts discussed during the training and exam. If you're new to agile or Scrum, it may be beneficial to review basic Scrum concepts before beginning the course.

Exam Focus Areas

The SAFe Scrum Master exam tests your knowledge and ability in several key areas critical to your role as a Scrum Master in a SAFe environment. Below are the main topics covered in the exam:

1. The Role of the Scrum Master:

Understanding the Scrum Master’s role is fundamental to the exam. Scrum Masters act as servant leaders who support agile teams by helping remove obstacles, facilitating team events, and ensuring that Scrum principles are followed. Key aspects of the Scrum Master role include:

• Helping teams work effectively and removing impediments.

• Coaching team members on Scrum practices.

• Fostering a collaborative environment.

• Protecting the team from external interruptions or distractions.

• Ensuring that the team is focused on achieving its sprint goals.

The exam will test your understanding of the Scrum Master’s responsibilities and how they influence team dynamics, collaboration, and overall performance.

2. SAFe Principles:

SAFe is based on a set of core principles that guide the implementation of agile practices at scale. The exam focuses on your ability to apply these principles in a scaled environment, where multiple Scrum teams (known as Agile Release Trains, or ARTs) are working together to deliver value.

• Lean Thinking: The focus on reducing waste and delivering value more efficiently.
• Systems Thinking: The ability to understand and address the broader system in which teams operate.
• Continuous Improvement: Promoting a culture of learning, adapting, and improving processes over time.

The exam will assess your understanding of how to apply these principles to help teams work better together and deliver value faster.

3. Team Facilitation:

A significant part of the Scrum Master role involves facilitating key Scrum events. These include daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint retrospectives, and sprint reviews. The Scrum Master ensures that these events run smoothly, that team members engage effectively, and that outcomes are achieved.

• Daily Stand-ups: Facilitating communication among team members.

• Sprint Planning: Ensuring the team understands the work to be done in the sprint.

• Sprint Retrospectives: Helping the team reflect on their work and identify areas for improvement.

• Sprint Reviews: Facilitating feedback from stakeholders and ensuring the team’s work is aligned with stakeholder needs.

The exam will test how well you understand the facilitation of these ceremonies and the value they bring to the team’s success.

4. Agile Release Train (ART):

In a SAFe environment, Scrum Masters work not only with individual teams but also with multiple teams within an Agile Release Train (ART). The ART is a team of agile teams working together toward a common goal, delivering value to the business at regular intervals.

• The Scrum Master in the ART helps coordinate multiple Scrum teams, manages dependencies, and ensures collaboration between teams.

• They work with Release Train Engineers (RTEs) to resolve cross-team challenges and ensure the ART stays aligned with business priorities.

The exam will focus on how Scrum Masters manage and facilitate ARTs, handle dependencies, and keep teams aligned with the larger goals of the organization.

5. Working with Stakeholders:

Collaboration with stakeholders is a critical part of the Scrum Master’s role. In a SAFe environment, Scrum Masters must work closely with business leaders, product owners, and other key stakeholders to ensure that priorities are aligned and that value is delivered continuously.

• The Scrum Master ensures that the business stakeholders understand and respect the agile process.

• They help facilitate discussions between the team and stakeholders to ensure that customer needs are met, and priorities are continuously adjusted as required.

The exam will assess your ability to manage these relationships effectively and ensure stakeholder alignment with team and business goals.

Preparation for the Exam with ScholarAcad Training

ScholarAcad Training offers a comprehensive training package that thoroughly prepares participants for the SAFe Scrum Master exam. This package includes:

• Extensive Practice Tests: These mock exams simulate the actual certification test and help you gauge your readiness. Practice tests are essential for understanding the types of questions you will face and the format of the exam.

• Guidance on Exam Techniques: Understanding how to approach multiple-choice questions, manage your time, and identify key concepts will be critical for passing the exam.

• Personalized Feedback: Feedback from experienced instructors can help you address weak areas and gain clarity on complex concepts before taking the exam.

ScholarAcad’s approach ensures that you are fully prepared and equipped to succeed in the SAFe Scrum Master exam, increasing your chances of passing on the first attempt.