If you are preparing to become a PSM (Professional Scrum Master) and want to get Scrum certified, then you need to prepare well. The PSM exam is recognised worldwide, and once you pass, it commences both your career and verifies your knowledge of key Scrum principles and practices. However, many students make avoidable mistakes during their preparation, which can lose them vital time and erode their confidence.
With Simplilearn courses by your side, rest assured, we are there to ensure your certification journey is smooth without any hiccups; so here are 5 mistakes that you can avoid while preparing for the PSM exam.
Skipping the Scrum Guide
One of the most common mistakes candidates often make is that they do not understand the Scrum Guide in depth, which is at the core of the PSM exam. The Scrum Guide, written by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, is the official source for defining Scrum roles, events, artefacts, and rules.
Why this is a mistake:
Most of the candidates use third-party materials or tutorials, but do not master the Scrum Guide. As a result, this can mean some of the core course material relevant to being able to sit and pass the exam is not fully grasped.
Tip:
The Scrum Guide should be primary. He has read the above so many times that it became redundant to his experience in each, and he never quite comprehends everything at a time. The Certified Scrum Master Certification Training is conducted by expert trainers, and the course offers in-depth knowledge of Scrum through real-world scenarios, making the understanding of the Scrum Guide easier.
Not Practising Scrum in Real Life
The PSM is not only about theory, but also about how you can apply Scrum in your real-world situations, so questions are likely to be more scenario-based than just theoretical concepts. Another common error is memorising terms and meanings while not really grasping how the roles and events in Scrum function.
Why this is a mistake:
Scrum is an Empirical process control and team collaboration framework for solving problems that are not clearly defined or predictable. If you do not have operational experience, the practical insight required to answer scenario-based questions that would test whether or not you can think as a ScrumMaster is at loss with.
Tip:
Work on the Scrum projects, either real or simulated, at your workplace or in training labs. With case studies and exercises available in the Simplilearn PSM course, you will be able to practice Scrum principles hands-on so as to develop an edge when answering scenario questions.
Not Taking Mock Tests Seriously
Most of the aspirants would either consider mock tests less important or procrastinate it right for the end. Mock tests are just like the real exam and allow you to analyse your readiness.
Why this is a mistake:
You need to practice more regularly with mock tests so that you can identify where your weakness lies and also get better at time management, because the PSM exam is on time.
Tip:
During your study period, make sure you take as many mock exams as you can. Simplilearn offers top-quality mock tests, which perfectly represent the PSM exam pattern and difficulty level as well. Read answers thoroughly and revise those questions in which you made a mistake.
Overloading on Study Materials
There is just so much crap online, books, forums and videos out there; candidates get paralysed/overwhelmed that they try to study everything and end up going sideways, leading to confusion/tiredness of the brain.
Why this is a mistake:
Shopping around too many resources could confuse you, and all the conflicting information can blur your brain, making it harder for the right kind of knowledge to stick for the PSM exam.
Tip:
Pick up a structured learning path: Check out Simplilearn’s certified scrum master certification, which curates all the information you need to have to get started and canalises it into an organised learning path. Focus on quality over quantity.
Time Mismanagement and Strategy Issue During Exams
Well prepared, but poor exam strategy and time management. Not to mention, the PSM exam is a time-pressed test; all the questions will require you to read them properly and then think.
Why this is a mistake:
Also, in case you are rushing through answers or staying too long on the tough ones, you may not reach the end of the test, leaving questions blank or resorting to spitfire guessing.
Tip:
Make a plan to eliminate some of the wrong answer choices more quickly, and maybe flag harder ones for review if you have time. Practice with Simplilearn’s mock exams will help you in this case because they are timed and follow the same format as the actual exam.
Conclusion
Clear, robust understanding, hands-on experience, targeted practice and focused study will help you to prepare for the PSM exams. By avoiding these common mistakes, you will greatly increase your chances of success. Simplilearn offers a certified scrum master certification course that is designed to walk you through everything with expert instruction, comprehensive content, and practice tests.
Ready to ace your PSM exam? Explore the best courses as provided by Simplilearn, and start on your path to becoming a Scrum Master Certified Version from here!
