Question bank
Professional Scrum Master II
30 Professional Scrum Master II questions with the correct answer and a written explanation, organised across 5 exam domains.
- 30 questions
- 5 domains
- Foundation level
certilumQuestion index
Jump straight to any question. Answers and explanations are inline.
Developing People and Teams
7 questions in this domain
- Question 1Single Choice
According to the PSM II playbook, how is coaching defined when used with individuals and teams?
- ANon-directive empowering approachCorrect answer
- BDirective task assignment
- CPersonal psychological therapy
- DSharing personal experience
Why this is the answer
Coaching is non-directive, using powerful questioning and active listening to help individuals solve problems themselves. Mentoring, by contrast, shares personal experience and guidance.
- Question 2Multiple Select
From the PSM II content, which two examples best illustrate a Scrum Master supporting self-management?
- AFacilitating collaborative problem-solvingCorrect answer
- BRemoving systemic impedimentsCorrect answer
- CAssigning developer tasks
- DReporting individual velocities
Why this is the answer
Supporting self-management means facilitating collaboration and removing systemic impediments. Assigning tasks and reporting individual velocities are command-and-control behaviors that erode team autonomy.
- Question 3Interactive
In the code block, two replies from Scrum Masters are shown. Which coaching behavior does the second reply demonstrate?
- APowerful questioningCorrect answer
- BCommand-and-control management
- CMentoring
- DTherapy
Why this is the answer
Scrum Master B uses powerful questioning to help the developer reflect and discover options. Assigning the task away is directive and reduces self-management.
- Question 4Single Choice
Which PSM II key concept refers to adapting leadership style to the team's readiness and competence?
- ASituational LeadershipCorrect answer
- BActive Listening
- CPull-over-push coaching
- DPsychological Safety
Why this is the answer
Situational Leadership means adapting style to developmental readiness and competence. The other concepts are related but do not define this adaptive behavior.
- Question 5Multiple Select
According to the playbook's conflict resolution section, which two stages are part of Tuckman's model?
- AFormingCorrect answer
- BStormingCorrect answer
- CCommanding
- DInspecting
Why this is the answer
The playbook cites Forming and Storming from Tuckman's model. Commanding and Inspecting are not part of that team development model.
- Question 6Interactive
The code block lists three facilitation approaches. Which one focuses on guiding interaction mechanics without owning content?
- ANeutral Process FacilitationCorrect answer
- BDirective Management
- CStructural Interventions
- DLiberating Structures
Why this is the answer
Neutral Process Facilitation keeps the Scrum Master in charge of the process while the team owns the content. Directive Management and Structural Interventions are different approaches.
- Question 7Single Choice
Which of the following behaviors violates the pull-over-push coaching principle described in the PSM II playbook for Scrum Masters?
- AWaiting for guidance requests
- BUsing teachable moments
- CRequiring weekly coaching sessionsCorrect answer
- DSupporting when asked
Why this is the answer
Pull-over-push coaching means waiting for requests or teachable moments. Forcing mandatory sessions violates the voluntary, need-based nature of coaching.
Developing and Delivering Products Professionally
6 questions in this domain
- Question 8Single Choice
Which engineering practice involves frequently merging code changes into a central repository, often multiple times per day?
- AContinuous IntegrationCorrect answer
- BTest-Driven Development
- CRefactoring
- DPair Programming
Why this is the answer
Continuous Integration is the practice of merging code changes frequently, with automated builds and tests validating each integration immediately.
- Question 9Multiple Select
Which two engineering practices are collaborative techniques where developers work together at a single workstation to reduce defects and share knowledge?
- APair ProgrammingCorrect answer
- BMob ProgrammingCorrect answer
- CTest-Driven Development
- DContinuous Integration
Why this is the answer
Pair and mob programming are collaborative techniques where two or more developers work together at one workstation, enabling real-time review, knowledge sharing, and defect reduction.
- Question 10Interactive
Review the code block. Which professional engineering practice is demonstrated by the order of writing the test before the implementation?
- ATest-Driven DevelopmentCorrect answer
- BRefactoring
- CContinuous Integration
- DPair Programming
Why this is the answer
Test-Driven Development uses a short cycle where requirements become test cases first, then code is improved to make the tests pass.
- Question 11Single Choice
Which process involves restructuring existing computer code without changing its external behavior?
- ARefactoringCorrect answer
- BDebugging
- CIntegration
- DTesting
Why this is the answer
Refactoring is the continuous practice of restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior, preventing architectural decay and technical debt.
- Question 12Multiple Select
Which two statements about technical debt management are correct?
- ATechnical debt should be made visible in the Product Backlog.Correct answer
- BThe Definition of Done helps prevent technical debt by making quality non-negotiable.Correct answer
- CTechnical debt is exclusively a developer concern and should not involve the Product Owner.
- DA dedicated cleanup sprint is the recommended way to pay off technical debt.
Why this is the answer
Technical debt must be transparent in the Product Backlog, and a strong Definition of Done prevents debt by keeping quality non-negotiable. Separate cleanup sprints are an anti-pattern.
- Question 13Interactive
The code block contains measures used by which Scrum.org framework to guide evidence-based decision making?
- AEvidence-Based ManagementCorrect answer
- BScrum Framework
- CKanban
- DLean Startup
Why this is the answer
Evidence-Based Management is a Scrum.org framework that helps organizations measure current value, time to market, ability to innovate, and unrealized value.
Evolving the Agile Organization
5 questions in this domain
- Question 14Single Choice
According to the playbook, at PSM II level, organizational culture and change management is best described as what?
- AA strategic change agent who collaborates with leadership to align corporate culture with Agile values.Correct answer
- BA ceremony facilitator who ensures every Scrum event follows the prescribed timeboxes.
- CA process enforcer who mandates Agile practices and monitors compliance.
- DA training coordinator who schedules Agile courses to transform organizational culture.
Why this is the answer
A PSM II acts as a strategic change agent who collaborates with leadership to align culture with Agile values. Enforcing practices, only facilitating ceremonies, or treating culture as a training problem contradict servant leadership and empiricism.
- Question 15Multiple Select
Which statements reflect an Agile organizational culture according to the comparison table? Select all that apply.
- AControl is based on trust, autonomy, and alignment to purpose.Correct answer
- BFailure is treated as an empirical learning opportunity.Correct answer
- CLeadership focuses on servant leadership and removing impediments.Correct answer
- DStructural design favors functional silos and component teams.
Why this is the answer
Agile culture is built on trust, autonomy, empirical learning, and servant leadership. Functional silos and component teams are traits of traditional command-and-control organizations, not Agile culture.
- Question 16Interactive
Given the SQL query below, what is the correct interpretation for a PSM II?
- AIt quantifies systemic impediments by department, helping leadership understand institutional waste.Correct answer
- BIt measures individual developer performance to identify low performers.
- CIt tracks team velocity to forecast the next Sprint delivery.
- DIt calculates project budget variance against the master plan.
Why this is the answer
The query surfaces blocked work items and average block duration by department. This creates transparency of institutional waste and helps the Scrum Master drive systemic change with empirical data.
- Question 17Single Choice
What is a core objective when scaling Scrum and agile practices?
- AMinimizing dependencies and preserving team autonomy while maintaining empiricism.Correct answer
- BAdding more management layers to coordinate all teams centrally.
- CCreating specialized component teams to improve technical efficiency.
- DStandardizing processes across all divisions through a heavy framework.
Why this is the answer
Scaling Scrum focuses on reducing dependencies, decoupling value streams, and preserving team autonomy. Additional management layers, component teams, and forced standardization create anti-patterns.
- Question 18Multiple Select
Which behaviors indicate true executive engagement in an agile organization? Select all that apply.
- AActively participating in Sprint Reviews and refinement sessions.Correct answer
- BRemoving systemic organizational impediments that block team agility.Correct answer
- CProtecting the Scrum Team from external interference during Sprints.Correct answer
- DDemanding detailed multi-year project plans and individual utilization reports.
Why this is the answer
True executive engagement includes active participation, systemic impediment removal, and protecting team autonomy. Multi-year plans and utilization tracking reinforce command-and-control habits.
Managing Products with Agility
6 questions in this domain
- Question 19Single Choice
In Scrum, who is primarily accountable for defining the product vision and strategy?
- AProduct OwnerCorrect answer
- BScrum Master
- CDevelopers
- DSenior Management
Why this is the answer
The Product Owner owns the vision and strategy. The Scrum Master coaches and facilitates but does not create the product direction.
- Question 20Multiple Select
Which two Scrum anti-patterns related to product vision and strategy are described in the playbook? Select two.
- AThe Scrum Master dictates the product vision to the team.Correct answer
- BThe Product Owner uses the strategy to say no to off-goal stakeholder requests.
- CDevelopers focus only on code quality and leave strategy exclusively to senior management.Correct answer
- DStakeholders collaborate with the team during Sprint Review to inspect the Increment.
Why this is the answer
Scrum empowers the Product Owner to own the vision; strategy should not be dictated by the Scrum Master or outsourced to senior management. Stakeholder collaboration is a healthy practice.
- Question 21Interactive
Refer to the Product Backlog excerpt in the code block. Which item should receive the highest order based on the Product Goal as the North Star?
- AAdd export to CSV
- BFix payment gateway timeoutCorrect answer
- CNew dashboard theme
- DAll items equally
Why this is the answer
The payment gateway timeout is marked critical and supports the Product Goal. Backlog ordering should favor items that advance the goal and reduce risk.
- Question 22Single Choice
Which statement best describes the Product Backlog in Scrum?
- AA static list of requirements to be delivered in full
- BA dynamic, living artifact ordered by value, risk, dependencies, and learning opportunitiesCorrect answer
- CA fixed contract of scope agreed with stakeholders
- DA list ranked purely by financial return
Why this is the answer
The backlog is a living artifact, ordered strategically to maximize value and manage risk, not a static contract or purely financial ranking.
- Question 23Multiple Select
Which two actions help a Scrum Master improve stakeholder collaboration and customer focus? Select two.
- ACoach the Product Owner to invite key customers into discovery workshopsCorrect answer
- BShield the Developers from all direct communication with stakeholders
- CEncourage outcome-oriented metrics such as user retention and behavior changeCorrect answer
- DAllow stakeholders to dictate the scope of the Daily Scrum
Why this is the answer
Stakeholder collaboration requires direct engagement in discovery, not isolation, and outcome metrics. Stakeholders should never dictate the Daily Scrum.
- Question 24Interactive
The release forecast shown in the code block was created by the Product Owner. Which interpretation is correct according to Scrum?
- AThis is a fixed contractual delivery date and scope
- BThe forecast uses historical throughput to communicate a probabilistic rangeCorrect answer
- CVelocity has been ignored in this forecast
- DThe forecast is less useful than a detailed Gantt chart
Why this is the answer
Scrum forecasts are probabilistic, based on historical data, and used to manage expectations transparently rather than guarantee fixed commitments.
Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
6 questions in this domain
- Question 25Single Choice
In Scrum, what are the three pillars of empiricism that support decision-making?
- ATransparency, inspection, and adaptationCorrect answer
- BPlanning, execution, and review
- CDevelopment, testing, and deployment
- DCommitment, courage, and focus
Why this is the answer
Empiricism rests on transparency, inspection, and adaptation. These pillars enable teams to observe facts, check progress, and adjust based on what is learned.
- Question 26Multiple Select
According to the Scrum Guide, which of the following are included among the five Scrum values? Select all that apply.
- ACommitmentCorrect answer
- BCourageCorrect answer
- COpennessCorrect answer
- DPredictability
Why this is the answer
The five Scrum values are Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and Respect. Predictability is a management objective, not a Scrum value.
- Question 27Interactive
In the provided code block, which assignment represents the commitment of the Product Backlog?
- Aproduct_goalCorrect answer
- Bsprint_goal
- Cdefinition_of_done
- Dacceptance_criteria
Why this is the answer
The Product Goal is the commitment contained in the Product Backlog. It describes a future product state that guides long-term planning.
- Question 28Single Choice
Who is accountable for creating and continually improving the Definition of Done?
- ADevelopersCorrect answer
- BProduct Owner
- CScrum Master
- DStakeholders
Why this is the answer
Developers own the Definition of Done and are accountable for its creation and continuous improvement. The Product Owner and Scrum Master support but do not own it.
- Question 29Multiple Select
Which of the following situations would violate the self-management of a Scrum Team? Select all that apply.
- AA manager assigns tasks to Developers.Correct answer
- BA Product Owner dictates technical implementation.Correct answer
- CA Scrum Master assigns work tickets.Correct answer
- DDevelopers choose their own engineering practices.
Why this is the answer
Self-management means the team decides who does what, when, and how. External task assignment, dictated technical approaches, and ticket delegation by a Scrum Master violate autonomy.
- Question 30Interactive
According to the mappings in the code block, which artifact-commitment pairs are correct? Select all that apply.
- AProduct Backlog: Product GoalCorrect answer
- BSprint Backlog: Sprint GoalCorrect answer
- CIncrement: Definition of DoneCorrect answer
- DProduct Backlog: Definition of Done
Why this is the answer
Each Scrum artifact has a commitment: Product Backlog–Product Goal, Sprint Backlog–Sprint Goal, and Increment–Definition of Done. These commitments maximize transparency.
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