The Professional Scrum Master II (PSM II) certification is an advanced credential offered by Scrum.org, aimed at experienced Scrum Masters who have a comprehensive understanding of the Scrum framework and wish to demonstrate their ability to apply it in complex, real-world situations.
This exam goes beyond simple knowledge recall and focuses on the application of Scrum principles to solve difficult organizational and team-level challenges.
It is designed for those who already hold the PSM I and have at least one year of experience as a practicing Scrum Master, looking to deepen their skills and validate their expertise as a senior Scrum practitioner.
The PSM II course focuses heavily on the practical application of the Scrum Master role, emphasizing facilitation, coaching, and organizational change.
The syllabus and topics covered include:
The Role of the Scrum Master as a Teacher, Coach, Facilitator, and Mentor. Deepening skills in each of these stances.
Servant Leadership in Practice. How to serve the Scrum Team, the Product Owner, and the entire organization effectively.
Facilitating Organizational Change. Helping the organization adopt Scrum and navigate complex transitions.
Product Ownership and Stakeholder Management. Coaching Product Owners and facilitating discussions with various stakeholders.
Handling Complex Team Dynamics and Conflict. Techniques for building high-performing, self-organizing teams and resolving internal challenges.
Scaling Scrum. Understanding principles of scaling, such as those found in the Nexus framework, without losing the core benefits of Scrum.
The PSM II exam details:
Cost: Approximately $250 per attempt.
Prerequisites: It is highly recommended (though not mandatory) to hold the PSM I and have significant practical experience.
Attempt Limit: No formal limit on attempts, but you must purchase a new password for each.
Language: English.
The PSM II final exam is a rigorous test of your advanced understanding and application of Scrum.
Format: The exam consists of multiple-choice, multiple-answer, and true/false questions. Many of these are scenario-based, presenting complex situations where you must choose the best course of action as a Scrum Master.
Number of Questions: You will need to answer 30 questions.
Time Limit: You are given 90 minutes (1.5 hours) to complete the test. This allows for approximately 3 minutes per question, reflecting the need for deep analysis of each scenario.
Passing Score: The passing score is 85% or higher. This is a very high bar, indicating that a solid grasp of concepts is not enough—you must be able to apply them correctly.
Delivery Method: The exam is taken online through the Scrum.org portal. It is non-proctored, but you should treat it as such to ensure you complete it within the time limit without external aid.
To prepare effectively for the PSM II, a blend of formal study and practical experience is crucial.
Study Strategies:
Read and Re-read the Scrum Guide: Even at this advanced level, a deep and precise understanding of the fundamentals is required. Pay attention to every sentence.
Gain Practical Experience: The single most important factor is your real-world experience as a Scrum Master. Apply the principles, face the challenges, and reflect on your successes and failures.
Use Official Scrum.org Resources: Review the "PSM II Suggested Reading" and "Scrum Master Learning Path" on the Scrum.org website. These include blogs, articles, and white papers from experts.
Take Practice Assessments: Utilize the free Scrum Open and Nexus Open assessments on the Scrum.org site to gauge your understanding. Consider reputable third-party practice exams, but ensure they are aligned with current Scrum principles.
Participate in Forums and Discussions: Engage with the Scrum community on the Scrum.org forums to learn from others' experiences and challenge your own understanding of scenarios.
Attend a PSM II Course (Highly Recommended): While not mandatory, attending a Professional Scrum Master II course taught by a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) can provide invaluable insights and structured learning that can make a significant difference.
Where and How to Take the Exam:
You do not need to visit a physical testing center to take the PSM II exam.
The entire process is conducted online through the Scrum.org website. Once you purchase an assessment password from Scrum.org, it will be emailed to you.
You can use this password to take the test on your own schedule from any location with a stable internet connection.
There are no authorized schools or third-party centers (like Pearson VUE) where you can take the PSM II exam in person.
Earning the PSM II certification is a strong signal to employers that you possess advanced Scrum Master skills and are capable of leading teams and organizations through complex transformations.
Here are some of the job opportunities and career paths that a PSM II certification unlocks:
Senior Scrum Master
Agile Coach
Enterprise Agile Coach
Release Train Engineer (RTE) (in SAFe environments)
Project Manager
Program Manager
Transformation Lead
Product Owner (The advanced understanding of product delivery is often highly valuable in this role)
Chief Scrum Master (in a large or scaled environment)
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