CSM study guide · 2026

The 3 CSM domains, explained

3 areas and 14 learning objective categories. Scrum Alliance does not publish weights for these areas, so each gets equal space here. Each guide explains what the area covers, how it is assessed and where candidates slip.

Start with Domain 1 See all domains
Questions
50
Time
60 minutes
Passing score
74% (37 / 50)
Outline
CSM Learning Objectives (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide)

Exam blueprint

Scrum Alliance does not publish weights, so every area is drawn the same size.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  1. 1 Scrum
  2. 2 Scrum Master Core Competencies
  3. 3 Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization

All 3 domains

14 official learning objective categories 20–35 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01

    Scrum

    This is the core and largest CSM category. It covers Scrum itself: the Scrum Team and its accountabilities, the Scrum events and activities, how the Daily Scrum differs from a status meeting, Sprint termination, and the definition of Done.

    Inside this domain

    • Describe the responsibilities and accountabilities of the Scrum Team and its members
    • Explain why the Product Owner is a single person with authority over the Product Backlog
    • Inspect and adapt to increase transparency at the Scrum events
    • Perform Sprint Planning, the Sprint Review, and the Sprint Retrospective
    • and 2 more learning objective categories

    Watch for Daily Scrum is a status meeting

    Learning objective categories
    6
    Questions est.
    ~30
    Study time est.
    10–15 hrs
  2. Domain 02

    Scrum Master Core Competencies

    This category covers the facilitation and coaching skills at the heart of the Scrum Master role. It covers serving through facilitation, techniques for facilitating group decisions, and how facilitating, teaching, mentoring and coaching differ.

    Inside this domain

    • Describe situations in which the Scrum Master serves through facilitation
    • Demonstrate techniques for facilitating group decision making
    • Discuss how facilitating, teaching, mentoring, and coaching differ

    Watch for Scrum Master decides

    Learning objective categories
    3
    Questions est.
    ~8
    Study time est.
    5–10 hrs
  3. Domain 03

    Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization

    This category covers how the Scrum Master serves beyond the team. It covers leadership, technical debt and quality practices, supporting the Product Owner, removing organizational impediments, and the organizational change Scrum brings.

    Inside this domain

    • Describe scenarios where the Scrum Master acts as a leader for the Scrum Team
    • Explain technical debt and development practices that reduce it
    • Explain ways the Scrum Master supports the Product Owner
    • Describe organizational impediments and how the Scrum Master helps resolve impediments
    • and 1 more learning objective categories

    Watch for Only log the impediment

    Learning objective categories
    5
    Questions est.
    ~12
    Study time est.
    5–10 hrs

Suggested study order

No official weights are published, so follow the outline order, across about 20–35 hrs of study.

  1. 1 Scrum 10–15 hrs
  2. 2 Scrum Master Core Competencies 5–10 hrs
  3. 3 Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization 5–10 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 1: Scrum

A manager asks that the Developers use the Daily Scrum each morning to report their individual progress and any delays directly to the Scrum Master. According to Scrum, how should the Scrum Master respond?

One trap from every domain

The answer that looks right, and the clue that gives it away.

  • Domain 1

    Daily Scrum is a status meeting

    Clue The stem has the Developers updating a manager or the Scrum Master on their tasks.

  • Domain 2

    Scrum Master decides

    Clue The team is looking to the Scrum Master to decide for them.

  • Domain 3

    Only log the impediment

    Clue The team is blocked by an organizational obstacle.

Other Agile & Scrum certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with CSM.

Practise what you read

CSM domains: common questions

How many domains are in the CSM exam?

CSM has 3 domains with 14 official learning objective categories between them: Scrum, Scrum Master Core Competencies and Service to the Scrum Team, Product Owner, and Organization.

What is the CSM exam format?

Questions: 50. Time allowed: 60 minutes. Passing score: 74% (37 / 50).

How long should I study for CSM?

Our planning estimate is 20–35 hrs across all domains, split by weight. It is an editorial estimate, not an official figure, so adjust it to your experience and to how you score on practice questions.

Where should I start?

Work through the areas in order, since each builds on the one before. Use the checklist on each page to confirm you can do what it asks before moving on.

Which outline is this guide based on?

This guide follows CSM Learning Objectives (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide), published by Scrum Alliance. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and learning objective categories come from Scrum Alliance's official outline (CSM Learning Objectives (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide)). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.