PSM I study guide · 2026

The 3 PSM I domains, explained

3 domains and 13 official focus areas. Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework carries the most weight at ~55%. Each guide explains what the domain covers, how its questions are framed and where candidates lose marks.

Start with Domain 1 See all domains
Questions
80
Time
60 minutes
Passing score
85%
Outline
PSM I Focus Areas, Professional Scrum Competencies (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide)

Exam blueprint

Bar widths follow the official weights. Weight ranges are drawn at their midpoint.

  1. 1 55%
  2. 2 20%
  3. 3 25%
  1. 1 Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework
  2. 2 Developing People and Teams
  3. 3 Managing Products with Agility

All 3 domains

13 official focus areas 25–40 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01 ~55%

    Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

    This is the core and largest PSM I focus area. It covers the Scrum framework as defined in the Scrum Guide: empiricism and the Scrum Values, the Scrum Team and its accountabilities, the Scrum events, the artifacts and their commitments, and the definition of Done.

    Inside this domain

    • Empiricism
    • Scrum Values
    • The Scrum Team and accountabilities
    • Scrum Events
    • and 2 more focus areas

    Watch for Scrum Master assigns work

    Focus areas
    6
    Questions est.
    ~44
    Study time est.
    15–20 hrs
  2. Domain 02 ~20%

    Developing People and Teams

    This focus area covers how the Scrum Master helps teams grow. It covers self-managing teams, facilitation, and coaching and mentoring to build effective, high-performing Scrum Teams.

    Inside this domain

    • Self-managing teams
    • Facilitation
    • Coaching and mentoring

    Watch for Scrum Master decides the work

    Focus areas
    3
    Questions est.
    ~16
    Study time est.
    5–10 hrs
  3. Domain 03 ~25%

    Managing Products with Agility

    This focus area covers delivering value through the product. It covers forecasting and release planning, product value, Product Backlog management, and working with stakeholders and customers.

    Inside this domain

    • Forecasting and release planning
    • Product value
    • Product Backlog management
    • Stakeholders and customers

    Watch for Stakeholder dictates the order

    Focus areas
    4
    Questions est.
    ~20
    Study time est.
    5–10 hrs

Study the heaviest domains first

Marks follow weight. This order puts the most marks behind you first, across about 25–40 hrs of study.

  1. 1 Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework ~55% · 15–20 hrs
  2. 3 Managing Products with Agility ~25% · 5–10 hrs
  3. 2 Developing People and Teams ~20% · 5–10 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 1: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework

During the Sprint, a stakeholder asks the Scrum Master to assign the remaining Product Backlog items to specific Developers and to report daily on which Developers are falling behind. According to the Scrum Guide, 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

    Scrum Master assigns work

    Clue The option has the Scrum Master directing the Developers' work.

  • Domain 2

    Scrum Master decides the work

    Clue The team is asking to be told what to do.

  • Domain 3

    Stakeholder dictates the order

    Clue A stakeholder is trying to control the backlog order.

Other Agile & Scrum certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with PSM I.

Practise what you read

PSM I domains: common questions

How many domains are in the PSM I exam?

PSM I has 3 domains with 13 official focus areas between them: Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, Developing People and Teams and Managing Products with Agility.

Which PSM I domain carries the most weight?

Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework is the heaviest at ~55%, followed by Managing Products with Agility (~25%). The lightest is Developing People and Teams (~20%). Weights come from Scrum.org's official outline.

What is the PSM I exam format?

Questions: 80. Time allowed: 60 minutes. Passing score: 85%.

How long should I study for PSM I?

Our planning estimate is 25–40 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?

Start with Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework, because it carries the most marks, then work down by weight. Use the checklist on each domain page to confirm you can do what the domain asks before moving on.

Which outline is this guide based on?

This guide follows PSM I Focus Areas, Professional Scrum Competencies (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide), published by Scrum.org. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and focus areas come from Scrum.org's official outline (PSM I Focus Areas, Professional Scrum Competencies (aligned with the 2020 Scrum Guide)). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.