Pretty Scrum Pretty Scrum.
Start Studying

PSM 1 Sample Questions with Explanations

Direct answer: These are 10 free PSM 1 sample questions (Professional Scrum Master I / PSM I) with answers and Scrum Guide references. Use this page to calibrate question style. For formats, traps, and the main “exam questions / test questions” guide, start with PSM 1 exam questions. For hundreds of adaptive items, use the free practice test.

Start free adaptive practice → · Exam questions guide · Practice test

How to use these questions

  1. Read the question carefully. Don’t skim. Most PSM 1 questions hinge on one specific word.
  2. Pick your answer before looking at the explanation.
  3. Read the explanation even if you got it right — the reasoning matters more than the answer.
  4. If you got it wrong, follow the link to the Scrum Guide chapter and re-read that section.

Question 1 — Scrum Master role

The Scrum Master notices the team is not following Scrum well. The team has been skipping the Daily Scrum. What should the Scrum Master do?

  1. Run the Daily Scrum themselves to make sure it happens.
  2. Coach the Developers on the value of the Daily Scrum and let them decide how to address it.
  3. Escalate to the Product Owner.
  4. Mandate attendance.

Correct answer: B. Why: The Scrum Master is a servant-leader, not a manager. The Scrum Master coaches the team and ensures Scrum events happen, but does not run the Daily Scrum or mandate behavior. The Daily Scrum is for and by the Developers. Source: Scrum Master chapter.

Question 2 — Sprint cancellation

Who can cancel a Sprint?

  1. The Scrum Master.
  2. The Developers, by majority vote.
  3. Only the Product Owner.
  4. Any member of the Scrum Team.

Correct answer: C. Why: Only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint, and only when the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete. Source: The Sprint chapter.

Question 3 — Definition of Done

The Definition of Done is created by:

  1. The Scrum Master.
  2. The Product Owner.
  3. The Scrum Team, unless the organization defines a standard.
  4. The Developers only.

Correct answer: C. Why: The Scrum Team creates the Definition of Done. If the organization has a standard Definition of Done, the Scrum Team must follow it as a minimum and may add to it. Source: Increment chapter.

Question 4 — Daily Scrum format

Which of the following is true about the Daily Scrum in the 2020 Scrum Guide?

  1. Each Developer must answer three specific questions.
  2. The Scrum Master facilitates and leads the discussion.
  3. The Developers can choose whatever structure helps them inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal.
  4. It must happen at the same physical location daily.

Correct answer: C. Why: The 2020 Scrum Guide removed the three mandatory questions. Developers choose the structure of the Daily Scrum as long as it focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal. Source: Daily Scrum chapter.

Question 5 — Sprint Goal vs Sprint Backlog

During a Sprint, the Developers realize they cannot complete all the work they planned. What can be renegotiated with the Product Owner?

  1. The Sprint Goal.
  2. The Sprint length.
  3. The scope of the Sprint Backlog, while keeping the Sprint Goal intact.
  4. The Product Backlog ordering.

Correct answer: C. Why: The Sprint Goal is fixed for the duration of the Sprint. The scope of the Sprint Backlog can be renegotiated with the Product Owner as more is learned, as long as the Sprint Goal stays intact. Source: Sprint Backlog chapter.

Question 6 — Product Backlog ordering

Who is responsible for ordering the Product Backlog?

  1. The Scrum Master.
  2. The Developers.
  3. The Product Owner.
  4. The stakeholders.

Correct answer: C. Why: The Product Owner is accountable for ordering Product Backlog items. The Product Owner may consult others, but the accountability is theirs alone. Source: Product Owner chapter.

Question 7 — Empiricism

Scrum is founded on empiricism. Which three pillars uphold every implementation of empirical process control?

  1. Commitment, Focus, Openness.
  2. Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation.
  3. Inspection, Coordination, Acceleration.
  4. Predictability, Visibility, Velocity.

Correct answer: B. Why: Transparency, Inspection, and Adaptation are the three pillars of empiricism in Scrum. The five Scrum values are Commitment, Focus, Openness, Respect, and Courage — a different list. Source: Scrum Theory chapter.

Question 8 — Sprint length

What is the maximum length of a Sprint per the 2020 Scrum Guide?

  1. One week.
  2. Two weeks.
  3. One month.
  4. Six weeks.

Correct answer: C. Why: Sprints are fixed-length events of one month or less. Shorter Sprints are allowed; longer than one month is not. Source: The Sprint chapter.

Question 9 — Sprint Review

Who attends the Sprint Review?

  1. Only the Scrum Team.
  2. Only the Developers and the Product Owner.
  3. The Scrum Team plus invited stakeholders.
  4. The whole organization, mandatory.

Correct answer: C. Why: The Sprint Review is the working session where the Scrum Team and stakeholders inspect the Increment and discuss what to do next. Stakeholders are invited but not required. Source: Sprint Review chapter.

Question 10 — Increment readiness

When does an Increment exist?

  1. Only at the end of the Sprint when the Sprint Review starts.
  2. As soon as a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done, multiple times in a Sprint.
  3. Only after the Product Owner approves it.
  4. When the Scrum Master signs off.

Correct answer: B. Why: Multiple Increments may be created within a single Sprint. The moment a Product Backlog item meets the Definition of Done, an Increment is born. Source: Increment chapter.

Want more than 10 sample questions?

This page is a short sampler. Next steps in the prep cluster:

Start free adaptive practice →

Author: Maurice Heinze (PSM I, certified by Scrum.org). Last updated: 2026-07-21.