Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Exam 2026: Comprehensive
Professional Certification Practice Examination — Scrum
Framework, Scrum Values, Roles & Accountabilities, Events,
Artifacts, Sprint Planning, Product Backlog, Facilitation, Coaching &
Agile Team Leadership — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A Scrum Master notices that the Developers are waiting for the Product Owner to assign
tasks during Sprint Planning. Which Scrum principle is being violated?
A. Transparency
B. Self-management
C. Inspection
D. Adaptation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Self-managing teams internally decide who does what, when, and how. Waiting
for task assignment undermines this core Scrum principle.
Question 2
During a Sprint Retrospective, a team member proposes adding a new event to the Scrum
framework to improve communication. What should the Scrum Master advise?
A. Approve the addition if the team agrees
B. Suggest replacing an existing event instead
C. Explain that the Scrum framework should not be modified
,D. Escalate to the Product Owner for a decision
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Scrum is an immutable framework. Teams should not modify its core events,
artifacts, or accountabilities; instead, they should address underlying issues within the
framework.
Question 3
A Scrum Team is struggling to deliver a Done Increment each Sprint. What is the Scrum
Master's primary accountability?
A. Assigning tasks to Developers to increase output
B. Ensuring the Scrum Team's effectiveness
C. Reporting progress to senior management
D. Adjusting the Definition of Done to match capacity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team's effectiveness, which
includes helping the team improve its practices within the Scrum framework.
Question 4
The Product Owner wants to attend the Daily Scrum to stay informed about progress. What
is the most appropriate response from the Scrum Master?
A. Allow attendance if the Product Owner only listens
,B. Discourage attendance unless the Product Owner is actively working on Sprint Backlog
items
C. Require the Product Owner to attend to provide direction
D. Schedule a separate daily meeting for the Product Owner
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Daily Scrum is for the Developers. The Product Owner should attend only if
they are actively working on Sprint Backlog items; otherwise, it disrupts the event's focus.
Question 5
Which statement best describes the relationship between the three pillars of empiricism?
A. Transparency enables inspection, which enables adaptation
B. Inspection enables transparency, which enables adaptation
C. Adaptation enables transparency, which enables inspection
D. All three pillars operate independently
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Transparency makes work visible for inspection, and inspection enables
informed adaptation. Without transparency, inspection is misleading; without inspection,
adaptation is impossible.
Question 6
A Scrum Master is coaching a Developer who consistently takes on tasks outside their
specialty. What Scrum concept does this behavior support?
, A. Specialization
B. Cross-functionality
C. Individual accountability
D. Resource optimization
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cross-functional team members have all skills necessary to create value each
Sprint. Developers should develop T-shaped skills and collaborate outside narrow specialties.
Question 7
During Sprint Planning, the Developers refuse to commit to a Sprint Goal because they are
uncertain about the work. What should the Scrum Master do?
A. Require the Developers to commit to maintain accountability
B. Explain that the Sprint Backlog is a forecast, not a commitment
C. Ask the Product Owner to reduce the scope until they agree
D. Cancel the Sprint and start over
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Sprint Backlog is a forecast, not a commitment. The Sprint Goal provides
focus, but the plan may evolve as the team learns more during the Sprint.
Question 8
Professional Certification Practice Examination — Scrum
Framework, Scrum Values, Roles & Accountabilities, Events,
Artifacts, Sprint Planning, Product Backlog, Facilitation, Coaching &
Agile Team Leadership — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A Scrum Master notices that the Developers are waiting for the Product Owner to assign
tasks during Sprint Planning. Which Scrum principle is being violated?
A. Transparency
B. Self-management
C. Inspection
D. Adaptation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Self-managing teams internally decide who does what, when, and how. Waiting
for task assignment undermines this core Scrum principle.
Question 2
During a Sprint Retrospective, a team member proposes adding a new event to the Scrum
framework to improve communication. What should the Scrum Master advise?
A. Approve the addition if the team agrees
B. Suggest replacing an existing event instead
C. Explain that the Scrum framework should not be modified
,D. Escalate to the Product Owner for a decision
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Scrum is an immutable framework. Teams should not modify its core events,
artifacts, or accountabilities; instead, they should address underlying issues within the
framework.
Question 3
A Scrum Team is struggling to deliver a Done Increment each Sprint. What is the Scrum
Master's primary accountability?
A. Assigning tasks to Developers to increase output
B. Ensuring the Scrum Team's effectiveness
C. Reporting progress to senior management
D. Adjusting the Definition of Done to match capacity
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Scrum Master is accountable for the Scrum Team's effectiveness, which
includes helping the team improve its practices within the Scrum framework.
Question 4
The Product Owner wants to attend the Daily Scrum to stay informed about progress. What
is the most appropriate response from the Scrum Master?
A. Allow attendance if the Product Owner only listens
,B. Discourage attendance unless the Product Owner is actively working on Sprint Backlog
items
C. Require the Product Owner to attend to provide direction
D. Schedule a separate daily meeting for the Product Owner
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Daily Scrum is for the Developers. The Product Owner should attend only if
they are actively working on Sprint Backlog items; otherwise, it disrupts the event's focus.
Question 5
Which statement best describes the relationship between the three pillars of empiricism?
A. Transparency enables inspection, which enables adaptation
B. Inspection enables transparency, which enables adaptation
C. Adaptation enables transparency, which enables inspection
D. All three pillars operate independently
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Transparency makes work visible for inspection, and inspection enables
informed adaptation. Without transparency, inspection is misleading; without inspection,
adaptation is impossible.
Question 6
A Scrum Master is coaching a Developer who consistently takes on tasks outside their
specialty. What Scrum concept does this behavior support?
, A. Specialization
B. Cross-functionality
C. Individual accountability
D. Resource optimization
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cross-functional team members have all skills necessary to create value each
Sprint. Developers should develop T-shaped skills and collaborate outside narrow specialties.
Question 7
During Sprint Planning, the Developers refuse to commit to a Sprint Goal because they are
uncertain about the work. What should the Scrum Master do?
A. Require the Developers to commit to maintain accountability
B. Explain that the Sprint Backlog is a forecast, not a commitment
C. Ask the Product Owner to reduce the scope until they agree
D. Cancel the Sprint and start over
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Sprint Backlog is a forecast, not a commitment. The Sprint Goal provides
focus, but the plan may evolve as the team learns more during the Sprint.
Question 8
