The benefits of having the PSPBM certification include enhanced proficiency in applying Scrum principles to complex product backlog management scenarios, improved capacity for driving organizational change and agility, greater alignment between business objectives and Scrum practices, increased effectiveness in optimizing value delivery across the organization, and a distinct competitive advantage in leadership and strategic management positions.
Table of Contents
Understanding the PSPBM Exam
Before you begin preparing for the PSPBM (Professional Scrum with Professional Backlog Management) exam, it’s important to understand its format and content. The exam is a 30-minute online test with 20 multiple-choice questions that assess your ability to integrate Scrum principles with backlog management practices in complex situations. The passing score is 85%, which means you need to answer at least 17 questions correctly. The exam fee is $200 per attempt, and you can take it multiple times if you don’t pass on the first attempt.
Tips for Preparing for the Exam
- Review the Scrum Guide: The Scrum Guide is the definitive source of Scrum knowledge, providing a comprehensive overview of the framework, roles, events, and artifacts. Thoroughly read and understand the Scrum Guide before taking the exam.
- Study Backlog Management Concepts: Since the PSPBM focuses on combining Scrum with business management, familiarize yourself with key product backlog management strategies and practices.
- Take Practice Tests: Practice tests are an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the exam format and content, and to identify your knowledge gaps. Look for comprehensive practice questions and explanations to prepare effectively. For a list of more comprehensive questions, answers, and explanations, you can also use Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management Skills PSPBM™ Exam Prep.
- Join a Study Group: Study groups are beneficial for learning from others, sharing knowledge and experiences, and getting feedback on your progress. You can find study groups on social media, online forums, or through your Scrum community.
- Attend a Training Course: A training course can deepen your knowledge of both Scrum and product backlog management, and prepare you for the exam. Choose a course that fits your learning style and schedule.
Strategies for Managing Your Time during the Exam
- Read the Questions Carefully: Pay close attention to each question to ensure you understand it correctly. Misreading questions can lead to incorrect answers.
- Manage Your Time Wisely: With 30 minutes for 20 questions, you have around 1.5 minutes per question. Allocate your time wisely and avoid spending too much time on any single question.
- Do Not Skip Questions: If you encounter a difficult question, take your best guess, mark it, and move on. Return to it later if you have time.
Mastering the Exam Content
- Understand the Scrum Framework: Ensure you have a strong grasp of the Scrum framework, roles, events, and artifacts, and how they interact. Practice applying Scrum in real-world business scenarios.
- Focus on Principles: Scrum is based on principles like transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Understand these principles and how they underpin the Scrum framework, as some questions can be answered based on these alone.
- Know Your Role: In the context of PSPBM, understand how to apply Scrum as a product leader, aligning Scrum practices with product backlog management strategies to optimize value delivery.
Why Practice Tests are Essential
Practice tests help you prepare for the PSPBM exam by assessing your knowledge and skills, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and building confidence. Use practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and to ensure you’re well-prepared. There are many practice tests and questions on the internet to choose from, however, it’s difficult to know if they are kept up to date or even correct. The Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management Skills PSPBM™ Exam Prep was created to solve this problem and provide the best chance for passing the exam.
How to Use Practice Tests to Improve Your Scores
- Get a Baseline: Start by taking a practice test to assess your current readiness without extensive preparation. This gives you a starting point for improvement.
- Focus on Your Weaknesses: Review explanations for each question, especially the ones you got wrong. Understand why certain answers are correct and others are not.
- Identify the Principles: Each question is based on a concept or principle. Understanding the underlying principles will make it easier to answer questions correctly.
- Take Full-Length Practice Tests: Simulate the actual exam experience by taking full-length practice tests. Use the results to identify remaining knowledge gaps and areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Passing the PSPBM exam requires a deep understanding of both Scrum and product backlog management principles, as well as the ability to apply them in complex scenarios. Manage your time wisely during the exam and demonstrate your ability to integrate Scrum with backlog management effectively. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article and using resources like the Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management Skills PSPBM™ Exam Prep, you can increase your chances of passing the exam on your first try and becoming a certified Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management practitioner. Good luck!
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Those who hold the PSPBM certification have demonstrated their expertise in applying Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management skills to enhance organizational agility and effectiveness. The PSPBM assessment evaluates your ability to integrate Scrum principles with backlog management strategies to drive value and achieve product and organizational goals. The exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, and you have 30 minutes to complete it. The passing score for the PSPBM assessment is 85%.
Official PSPBM™ exam details:
- Passing score: 85%
- Time limit: 30 minutes
- Number of Questions: 20
- Format: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer, and True/False
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Language: English only
- Fee: $200 USD per attempt
- Carefully read and understand the Scrum Guide.
- Read the learning series: The Product Backlog, Product Backlog Management, and Stakeholders and Customers
- Focus Areas:
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
- The Product Backlog
- Managing Products with Agility:
- Product Backlog Management
- Stakeholders
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
- Repeat the PSM I Open, PSPO I Open, and Scrum Open .
- Take ScrumPrep’s Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management Skills PSPBM™ Exam Prep practices questions and simulation exam until you consistently score 90-100%.
The time it takes to prepare for the exam depends on your previous experience with Scrum and your learning style. On average, it takes 1-2 months of preparing for the exam, however, it can be taken in less time depending on how much you’ve already mastered.
The exam is updated periodically to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest practices. Be sure to check for updates and changes to the exam content before taking the exam.
The PSPBM (Professional Scrum Product Backlog Management) certification focuses specifically on managing the product backlog to enhance flow of value, targeting Product Owners skills. It covers advanced topics like strategic planning and portfolio management, with a 30-minute exam consisting of 20 questions. In contrast, the PSPO I (Professional Scrum Product Owner I) certification is centered on the Product Owner role within Scrum, aimed at those managing product value at a high level. It addresses fundamental aspects like managing product backlogs and stakeholder engagement, with a 60-minute exam of 80 questions. The PSPBM is more advanced and broader in scope, while the PSPO I is intermediate and specialized for the Product Owner role.
Yes, you can take the exam multiple times if you don’t pass on the first attempt. However, you need to pay for each attempt.
The PSPBM certification is important because it equips Product Owners with the skills to effectively integrate Scrum principles with product backlog management strategies, enhancing organizational agility and value delivery.
The benefits of holding the PSPBM certification include an enhanced ability to integrate effective product backlog practices within Scrum to improve organizational agility, better alignment of business goals with Scrum practices, increased efficiency in value delivery, and a competitive edge in leadership and management roles.
There is no prerequisite to taking the PSPBM Certification assessment. You can take the PSPBM assessment if you feel you already possess a high level of product backlog management knowledge, in-depth Scrum experience, and applying Scrum to solve advanced, complex problems in the real world.
The certification does not expire, and there is no need for renewal. However, staying up-to-date with the latest techniques and skills are crucial for maintaining your professional edge.
Thank you so much! I have passed by 96% even though I had only 10 days of preparation. So without your training I would not have passed ! I strongly recommend everybody who is considering taking the PSFS assessment!