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Question bank
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
42 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) questions with the correct answer and a written explanation, organised across 6 exam domains.
- 42 questions
- 6 domains
- Foundation level
certilumQuestion index
Jump straight to any question. Answers and explanations are inline.
Agile Fundamentals
3 questions in this domain
- Question 1Single Choice
In the context of the Scrum framework, what does the term 'T-shaped' team member refer to?
- ADeep in one area, broad enough to assistCorrect answer
- BSpecialized in only one role
- CGeneralist with no in-depth specialty
- DA manager coordinating between silos
Why this is the answer
A T-shaped professional has deep knowledge in one field (vertical bar) and enough general skill to help teammates (horizontal bar), preventing bottlenecks.
- Question 2Multiple Select
Which of the following are key aspects of a cross-functional Scrum Team? (Choose all that apply.)
- AThe team collectively has all required skillsCorrect answer
- BCollaboration reduces hand-offs and information lossCorrect answer
- CThe whole team owns quality and deliveryCorrect answer
- DEvery member must know how to do everything
Why this is the answer
Cross-functionality means the team as a whole has the required capabilities; it prevents silos, hand-offs, and the 'not my job' mentality.
- Question 3Interactive
Review the code block. No one is pulling tasks from the 'Testing' column. What should the Scrum Master do?
- AAssign a developer to the testing tasks
- BAsk powerful questions to guide the teamCorrect answer
- CMove the testing tasks to the next Sprint
- DPerform the testing tasks personally
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Master coaches the team by asking powerful questions, not by assigning, rescheduling, or doing the work.
Scrum Artifacts
8 questions in this domain
- Question 4Single Choice
In Scrum, what does it mean for a team to be cross-functional when creating a product Increment?
- ACollective capability to deliver a Done IncrementCorrect answer
- BEvery member can do every task
- CReliance on external specialists
- DScrum Master assigns all tasks
Why this is the answer
A cross-functional Scrum Team has all necessary skills to turn Product Backlog items into a Done Increment without relying on people outside the team.
- Question 5Multiple Select
Which of the following are common traps to avoid when forming a cross-functional Scrum Team? Select all that apply.
- AEveryone must know how to do everythingCorrect answer
- BSelf-managing teams need no leadershipCorrect answer
- CScrum Master coordinates between silosCorrect answer
- DTeam members deepen their specialties
Why this is the answer
Common traps include expecting everyone to know everything, assuming self-management means no leadership, and asking the Scrum Master to coordinate silos. Deepening individual specialty is not a trap.
- Question 6Interactive
Using the team composition shown in the code block, which Scrum concept is missing for the team to deliver a Done Increment independently?
- ACollective group lacks required skillsCorrect answer
- BNo project manager is present
- CScrum Master should perform missing skills
- DSpecialists cannot work together
Why this is the answer
The team as a group must cover every technical and creative requirement. When missing skills exist, the team cannot independently deliver a Done Increment from Ready to Done.
- Question 7Single Choice
In a cross-functional Scrum Team, what does the principle of collective ownership require from the group?
- AWhole team owns quality and deliveryCorrect answer
- BSpecialist owns only own work
- CProduct Owner owns delivery outcome
- DScrum Master owns final result
Why this is the answer
Collective ownership means the whole team is responsible for quality and delivery. This mindset prevents the 'not my job' behavior during critical Sprint phases.
- Question 8Multiple Select
Which benefits are realized when a Scrum Team reduces its reliance on external departments? Select all that apply.
- AIncreases predictabilityCorrect answer
- BIncreases autonomyCorrect answer
- CSustains a stable paceCorrect answer
- DRequires manager approval
Why this is the answer
Fewer dependencies increase predictability and autonomy and help the team maintain a sustainable pace while pursuing the Sprint Goal. It does not require identical skills across team members.
- Question 9Interactive
Based on the code block above, which statement correctly identifies the problem with the Scrum Master's claim about cross-functionality?
- ACollective team must have all skillsCorrect answer
- BEach member must know every skill
- CExternal support creates cross-functionality
- DScrum Master coordinates with silos
Why this is the answer
Cross-functionality refers to the team's collective capability, not each person's universal expertise. A team with only front-end developers and no other skills is not cross-functional.
- Question 10Single Choice
In a self-managing Scrum Team, how do Developers normally decide which work they will take on during a Sprint?
- ADevelopers pull work by capacity and skillCorrect answer
- BScrum Master assigns individual tasks
- CProduct Owner delegates every task
- DFunctional manager assigns all work
Why this is the answer
Self-managing team members pull work based on capacity and skill, rather than receiving tasks from a supervisor. This supports collective accountability for the Sprint Goal.
- Question 11Multiple Select
Which accountabilities are formally recognized as part of the Scrum Team in the Scrum Guide? Select all that apply.
- AScrum MasterCorrect answer
- BProduct OwnerCorrect answer
- CDevelopersCorrect answer
- DProject Manager
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Team consists of the Product Owner, Developers, and Scrum Master. A Project Manager is not part of the Scrum Guide accountabilities.
Scrum Events
8 questions in this domain
- Question 12Single Choice
According to the Scrum Guide, which option best describes skill complementarity in a cross-functional Scrum Team?
- AEvery member masters every technical domain.
- BThe whole team covers all necessary skills.Correct answer
- COnly external experts provide missing skills.
- DEach developer works in isolation on one skill.
Why this is the answer
Skill complementarity means the collective team covers all necessary technical and creative skills, allowing the team to deliver Product Backlog items from Ready to Done independently.
- Question 13Multiple Select
According to Scrum, which statements correctly describe a T-Shaped professional and their value to the team?
- ADeep expertise in one area.Correct answer
- BBroad enough skills to assist others.Correct answer
- CMust be expert in every domain.
- DHelps prevent Sprint bottlenecks.Correct answer
Why this is the answer
T-Shaped professionals have deep expertise in one area and broader skills to assist elsewhere, which prevents bottlenecks without requiring universal mastery.
- Question 14Interactive
In the provided code_block, which role has an accountability statement that conflicts with the Scrum Guide?
- AScrum MasterCorrect answer
- BProduct Owner
- CDevelopers
- DNone of the above
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum, coaching, and removing impediments, not for assigning tasks to developers. Assigning work is a project manager behavior.
- Question 15Single Choice
How does work get selected in a self-managing Scrum Team according to the Scrum Guide?
- AThe Scrum Master assigns tasks by seniority.
- BDevelopers pull work based on capacity and skill.Correct answer
- CThe Product Owner assigns each task.
- DA functional manager distributes assignments.
Why this is the answer
Self-managing team members pull work based on capacity and skill rather than receiving assignments, shifting focus from individual tasks to collective Sprint Goal accountability.
- Question 16Multiple Select
According to Scrum, which statements reflect collective ownership and shared responsibility in a Scrum Team's daily work?
- AQuality is everyone's responsibility.Correct answer
- BTeam members avoid 'not my job' attitudes.Correct answer
- COnly one specialist is held accountable.
- DDelivery depends on individual heroics.
Why this is the answer
Collective ownership makes quality and delivery everyone's responsibility, preventing the 'not my job' mentality during critical Sprint phases.
- Question 17Interactive
Review the three statements in the code_block. Which lines represent common traps to avoid in Scrum?
- ALine 1Correct answer
- BLine 2Correct answer
- CLine 3Correct answer
- DNo line is a trap
Why this is the answer
All three are traps: cross-functionality does not demand universal mastery, self-managing teams still need leadership, and Scrum Master coaches rather than coordinates silos.
- Question 18Single Choice
According to Scrum, why does cross-functionality reinforce a Scrum Team's ability to self-manage during a Sprint?
- AIt eliminates the need for a Sprint Goal.
- BIt lets the team solve problems without outside help.Correct answer
- CIt replaces the Product Owner's role.
- DIt requires an external manager to coordinate.
Why this is the answer
Cross-functional teams contain all required skills, so they solve technical problems and complete tasks without outside help, reinforcing their autonomy.
- Question 19Multiple Select
Which data sources can a Scrum Team use to inspect progress and adapt workflows during a Sprint?
- ASprint BurndownCorrect answer
- BVelocityCorrect answer
- CDefinition of DoneCorrect answer
- DManager's opinion
Why this is the answer
Scrum teams use Sprint Burndown, Velocity, and Definition of Done as data to inspect progress and adapt internal workflows during the Sprint.
Scrum Master Role
12 questions in this domain
- Question 20Single Choice
What is the defining characteristic of a cross-functional Scrum Team?
- AEvery member must be an expert in all domains.
- BThe team collectively possesses all skills needed to deliver an Increment.Correct answer
- CThe Scrum Master must supply all technical expertise.
- DExternal specialists are required for every delivery.
Why this is the answer
Cross-functionality means the collective team has all required skills, not that every person can perform every job.
- Question 21Multiple Select
Which two behaviors best describe a T-Shaped Professional on a Scrum Team?
- AHas deep expertise in one primary skill.Correct answer
- BAvoids any work outside their primary skill.
- CUses broad skills to help other team areas.Correct answer
- DDepends on other teams to complete basic tasks.
Why this is the answer
T-Shaped professionals combine deep specialization with broad capabilities, preventing bottlenecks and limiting hand-offs.
- Question 22Interactive
Review the snippet showing team skills. Which Scrum concept does it best represent?
- ASkill ComplementarityCorrect answer
- BManagerial Intervention
- CTotal Autonomy
- DTask-Oriented Pitfall
Why this is the answer
The snippet shows different members covering different skills so the team as a whole has the necessary capabilities.
- Question 23Single Choice
How does eliminating hand-offs benefit the Scrum Team during a Sprint?
- AIt creates more queues between teams.
- BIt reduces information loss and creates faster feedback.Correct answer
- CIt increases reliance on external departments.
- DIt requires managers to approve every transition.
Why this is the answer
Fewer hand-offs mean less information loss and faster feedback, supporting continuous flow during the Sprint.
- Question 24Multiple Select
Which two traps are associated with cross-functionality?
- ABelieving every member needs to know how to do everything.Correct answer
- BExpecting the Scrum Master to coordinate between functional silos.Correct answer
- CBuilding broad skills to prevent bottlenecks.
- DReducing external dependencies by training the team.
Why this is the answer
Common traps include assuming universal expertise and turning the Scrum Master into a coordinator between silos.
- Question 25Interactive
Analyze the snippet representing workflow during a Sprint. Which Scrum concept is most directly violated?
- AElimination of hand-offsCorrect answer
- BManagerial Intervention
- CTotal Autonomy
- DSkill Complementarity
Why this is the answer
The snippet describes repeated hand-offs and manager approvals, which slow feedback and create queues. Eliminating hand-offs supports flow.
- Question 26Single Choice
How is work selected in a self-managing Scrum Team?
- ATasks are assigned by the Scrum Master.
- BMembers pull work based on capacity and skill.Correct answer
- CThe Product Owner assigns each task.
- DA functional manager directs assignments.
Why this is the answer
Self-managing teams pull work based on capacity and skill, focusing on collective accountability for the Sprint Goal.
- Question 27Multiple Select
Which two accountabilities belong to Developers in a Scrum Team?
- ACreating a plan for the Sprint.Correct answer
- BMaximizing the value of the product.
- CAdhering to the Definition of Done.Correct answer
- DManaging the Product Backlog.
Why this is the answer
Developers create the Sprint Backlog, adapt their plan daily, and ensure quality through the Definition of Done.
- Question 28Interactive
Review the snippet. Which role is accountable for maximizing the value of the product?
- AScrum Master
- BProduct OwnerCorrect answer
- CDevelopers
- DFunctional Manager
Why this is the answer
The Product Owner is solely accountable for maximizing the value of the product through effective backlog management.
- Question 29Single Choice
What does collective ownership mean within a Scrum Team?
- AEach member is responsible only for their own task.
- BThe entire team is responsible for quality and delivery.Correct answer
- CThe Scrum Master owns all project results.
- DThe Product Owner answers for technical tasks.
Why this is the answer
Collective ownership places quality and delivery responsibility on the whole team, preventing a 'not my job' mindset.
- Question 30Multiple Select
Which two responsibilities are part of the Scrum Master's accountability?
- AHelping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice.Correct answer
- BAssigning work to Developers.
- CRemoving impediments that hinder Sprint progress.Correct answer
- DApproving the release of the final product.
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Master helps the team understand Scrum, fosters self-management, and removes impediments.
- Question 31Interactive
Analyze the snippet. Which Scrum trap is being shown?
- AManagerial InterventionCorrect answer
- BTotal Autonomy
- CShared Responsibility Ambiguity
- DTask-Oriented Pitfall
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Master stepping in to assign tasks to an underperforming team member is a managerial intervention, a known trap.
Scrum Team
8 questions in this domain
- Question 32Single Choice
What does it mean for a Scrum Team to be cross-functional?
- AThe team collectively has all technical and creative skills needed to deliver a usable Increment.Correct answer
- BEvery individual team member must master every technical and creative domain.
- CThe team depends on external departments to complete Product Backlog items.
- DThe Scrum Master coordinates between functional silos to deliver the Increment.
Why this is the answer
Cross-functionality means the team as a whole has the capabilities to turn Backlog items into Done Increments without relying on outside specialists, not that each member knows everything.
- Question 33Multiple Select
Which two statements correctly describe T-Shaped Professionals in a Scrum Team?
- AThey have deep expertise in one area but enough breadth to help in other areas.Correct answer
- BThey prevent bottlenecks by supporting areas outside their specialty during the Sprint.Correct answer
- CThey always know more than any other team member in every domain.
- DThey remove the need for the team to practice collective ownership.
Why this is the answer
T-Shaped professionals combine depth with breadth, enabling them to help others and prevent bottlenecks. They do not eliminate collective ownership or know everything.
- Question 34Interactive
The code block shows a workflow requiring an external department. Which Scrum Team approach should replace this hand-off?
- ABuild the required capability inside the team to avoid external dependency.Correct answer
- BAsk the Scrum Master to coordinate with the external department.
- CWait for the external department and accept the queue time.
- DAssign the task to a manager to resolve the dependency.
Why this is the answer
Cross-functional teams reduce dependencies by developing in-house skills, minimizing hand-offs that create queues and information loss.
- Question 35Single Choice
Who is accountable for establishing Scrum as described in the Scrum Guide?
- AScrum MasterCorrect answer
- BProduct Owner
- CDevelopers
- DProject Manager
Why this is the answer
The Scrum Master is accountable for establishing Scrum by helping everyone understand Scrum theory and practice and by removing impediments.
- Question 36Multiple Select
Which two responsibilities are part of the Product Owner's accountability?
- AManaging the Product Backlog effectivelyCorrect answer
- BClearly communicating the Product GoalCorrect answer
- CCreating the Sprint Backlog
- DAssigning work to Developers every day
Why this is the answer
The Product Owner owns Product Backlog management and clearly communicates the Product Goal. Developers create the Sprint Backlog, and the team self-manages work.
- Question 37Interactive
The code snippet shows an unassigned Sprint Backlog. Which actions reflect self-management for this team?
- ATeam members pull work based on capacity and skill.Correct answer
- BThe team collectively decides who does what, when, and how.Correct answer
- CThe Scrum Master assigns tasks to individual Developers.
- DA supervisor directs the team's daily work.
Why this is the answer
In self-managing teams, members pull work and the team decides its own approach. The Scrum Master coaches instead of assigning tasks, and autonomy exists within Scrum boundaries.
- Question 38Single Choice
What is a primary benefit of eliminating hand-offs between functional silos?
- AIt enables continuous flow of value and faster feedback loops.Correct answer
- BIt creates queues and increases information loss.
- CIt allows managers to track individual contributions.
- DIt makes the team wait for external approval.
Why this is the answer
Eliminating hand-offs minimizes queues and information loss, allowing value to flow continuously and feedback to be faster during the Sprint.
- Question 39Multiple Select
Which two options are common traps to avoid in Scrum Teams?
- ABelieving cross-functionality means every person can do everything.Correct answer
- BThinking the Scrum Master should assign tasks when someone underperforms.Correct answer
- CRecognizing that self-managing teams still need coaching from the Scrum Master.
- DCoaching the organization to remove silos instead of coordinating hand-offs.
Why this is the answer
Common traps include expecting every member to know everything and treating the Scrum Master as a task assigner. Scrum Masters coach, and cross-functionality is team-level capability.
Scrum Theory and Values
3 questions in this domain
- Question 40Single Choice
Which statement best defines a cross-functional Scrum Team?
- AEvery member is an expert in every domain.
- BThe team collectively has all skills needed to deliver value independently.Correct answer
- CThe Scrum Master coordinates between functional silos.
- DThe team avoids all external contact.
Why this is the answer
Cross-functionality means the team as a whole owns the necessary skills to turn Product Backlog items into Done Increments, not that each individual knows everything.
- Question 41Multiple Select
Which two statements represent common traps regarding self-management in a Scrum Team?
- AThe Scrum Master assigns tasks when a team member underperforms.Correct answer
- BThe team pulls work based on capacity and skill.
- CSelf-management means the team can ignore the Sprint Goal.Correct answer
- DThe team inspects and adapts its workflow using transparency.
Why this is the answer
Self-management does not mean a Scrum Master intervenes in task assignment, and it does not grant permission to ignore the Sprint Goal. Pulling work and inspecting the workflow are healthy self-management practices.
- Question 42Interactive
Review the accountability mapping in the code block. Which role is accountable for creating a plan for the Sprint (the Sprint Backlog)?
- AScrum Master
- BProduct Owner
- CDevelopersCorrect answer
- DStakeholders
Why this is the answer
According to the code block, the Developers are accountable for creating a usable Increment and planning the Sprint Backlog. The Product Owner owns the Product Backlog, while the Scrum Master establishes Scrum and coaches the team.
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