SMPC study guide · 2026

The 9 SMPC domains, explained

9 areas and 41 topics. CertiProf 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
40 multiple-choice questions
Time
60 minutes
Passing score
80% (32 of 40)
Outline
CertiProf SMPC learning objectives, version 2020 (based on the 2020 Scrum Guide; current as of October 2026)

Exam blueprint

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

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  1. 1 Agile Introduction
  2. 2 What is Scrum?
  3. 3 Scrum Theory
  4. 4 Scrum Values
  5. 5 Scrum Team
  6. 6 Scrum Events
  7. 7 Scrum Artifacts
  8. 8 Advanced Scrum Concepts
  9. 9 Act as Scrum Master

All 9 domains

41 official topics 21–30 hrs suggested study

  1. Domain 01

    Agile Introduction

    The opening SMPC area sets the mindset behind Scrum: the four Agile Manifesto values, its twelve principles, what agility and business agility mean, and why complex work suits adaptive delivery better than a fixed upfront plan.

    Inside this domain

    • The Agile Manifesto values
    • The twelve agile principles
    • Agility, business agility and complexity
    • Traditional and agile project management

    Watch for Documentation is bad

    Topics
    4
    Questions est.
    ~4
    Study time est.
    2–3 hrs
  2. Domain 02

    What is Scrum?

    This area defines Scrum as the 2020 Scrum Guide does: a lightweight framework for complex problems, intentionally incomplete, immutable in its core parts, and simplified in 2020 around one Scrum Team, the Product Goal and three commitments.

    Inside this domain

    • Scrum definition in the 2020 Scrum Guide
    • Scrum as an incomplete and immutable framework
    • Origins and the 2020 revision

    Watch for Scrum as methodology

    Topics
    3
    Questions est.
    ~3
    Study time est.
    1–2 hrs
  3. Domain 03

    Scrum Theory

    Scrum Theory explains why Scrum works: decisions based on observation, lean thinking that removes waste, an iterative and incremental approach, and the three pillars of transparency, inspection and adaptation that every event and artifact supports.

    Inside this domain

    • Empiricism
    • Lean thinking
    • Transparency
    • Inspection
    • and 1 more topics

    Watch for Blame inspection

    Topics
    5
    Questions est.
    ~4
    Study time est.
    2–3 hrs
  4. Domain 04

    Scrum Values

    The Scrum values area covers commitment, focus, openness, respect and courage: what each means in the 2020 Scrum Guide, how living them builds the trust that makes the pillars work, and how to spot them in team behaviour.

    Inside this domain

    • Commitment
    • Focus
    • Openness
    • Respect
    • and 1 more topics

    Watch for Transparency as a value

    Topics
    5
    Questions est.
    ~3
    Study time est.
    1–2 hrs
  5. Domain 05

    Scrum Team

    The Scrum Team area covers one small, cross-functional, self-managing team of typically 10 or fewer people and the three accountabilities within it, plus how stakeholders relate to the team without directing its work.

    Inside this domain

    • Scrum Team composition and self-management
    • Developers
    • Product Owner
    • Scrum Master
    • and 1 more topics

    Watch for Scrum Master assigns work

    Topics
    5
    Questions est.
    ~6
    Study time est.
    3–4 hrs
  6. Domain 06

    Scrum Events

    Scrum Events covers the Sprint as the container for all work and the four events inside it, with their purposes, participants, inputs, outputs and maximum timeboxes, and how each one creates a formal chance to inspect and adapt.

    Inside this domain

    • The Sprint
    • Sprint Planning
    • Daily Scrum
    • Sprint Review
    • and 1 more topics

    Watch for Extend the Sprint

    Topics
    5
    Questions est.
    ~7
    Study time est.
    4–5 hrs
  7. Domain 07

    Scrum Artifacts

    Scrum Artifacts covers the Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog and Increment, the commitment attached to each one in the 2020 Scrum Guide, who manages each artifact, and how refinement and the Definition of Done keep the work transparent.

    Inside this domain

    • Product Backlog and the Product Goal
    • Sprint Backlog and the Sprint Goal
    • Increment and the Definition of Done

    Watch for Present undone work

    Topics
    3
    Questions est.
    ~5
    Study time est.
    3–4 hrs
  8. Domain 08

    Advanced Scrum Concepts

    Advanced Scrum Concepts covers practices teams commonly add to Scrum: user stories and INVEST, relative estimation with Planning Poker, velocity and burn charts, Kanban flow, the minimum viable product and Scrum of Scrums coordination.

    Inside this domain

    • User stories and the INVEST model
    • Estimation and Planning Poker
    • Velocity and progress tracking
    • Kanban in Scrum
    • and 2 more topics

    Watch for Velocity league table

    Topics
    6
    Questions est.
    ~3
    Study time est.
    2–3 hrs
  9. Domain 09

    Act as Scrum Master

    The final SMPC area focuses on the Scrum Master in action: a true leader who serves the Scrum Team, the Product Owner and the organization through coaching, facilitation, teaching and removing impediments, without managing the team's work.

    Inside this domain

    • The Scrum Master as a true leader
    • Service to the Scrum Team
    • Service to the Product Owner
    • Service to the organization
    • and 1 more topics

    Watch for Scrum Master decides

    Topics
    5
    Questions est.
    ~5
    Study time est.
    3–4 hrs

Suggested study order

No official weights are published, so follow the outline order, across about 21–30 hrs of study.

  1. 1 Agile Introduction 2–3 hrs
  2. 2 What is Scrum? 1–2 hrs
  3. 3 Scrum Theory 2–3 hrs
  4. 4 Scrum Values 1–2 hrs
  5. 5 Scrum Team 3–4 hrs
  6. 6 Scrum Events 4–5 hrs
  7. 7 Scrum Artifacts 3–4 hrs
  8. 8 Advanced Scrum Concepts 2–3 hrs
  9. 9 Act as Scrum Master 3–4 hrs

Try one

Practice questionDomain 1: Agile Introduction

Halfway through a release, a customer learns that a competitor has launched a similar feature and asks the team to change priorities. The project sponsor wants to refuse the request to protect the original plan. Which response best reflects the Agile Manifesto?

One trap from every domain

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

  • Domain 1

    Documentation is bad

    Clue Look for 'over' rather than 'instead of'.

  • Domain 2

    Scrum as methodology

    Clue Look for the word framework.

  • Domain 3

    Blame inspection

    Clue Hidden blockers or inaccurate boards.

  • Domain 4

    Transparency as a value

    Clue Questions asking for values, not pillars.

  • Domain 5

    Scrum Master assigns work

    Clue Phrases like assigns, allocates or decides who.

  • Domain 6

    Extend the Sprint

    Clue Work not done by the last day.

  • Domain 7

    Present undone work

    Clue Words like almost done or pending testing.

  • Domain 8

    Velocity league table

    Clue A manager comparing teams.

Other Agile & Scrum certifications

Study guides for exams that overlap with SMPC.

Practise what you read

SMPC domains: common questions

How many domains are in the SMPC exam?

SMPC has 9 domains with 41 official topics between them: Agile Introduction, What is Scrum?, Scrum Theory, Scrum Values, Scrum Team, Scrum Events, Scrum Artifacts, Advanced Scrum Concepts and Act as Scrum Master.

What is the SMPC exam format?

Questions: 40 multiple-choice questions. Time allowed: 60 minutes. Passing score: 80% (32 of 40).

How long should I study for SMPC?

Our planning estimate is 21–30 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 CertiProf SMPC learning objectives, version 2020 (based on the 2020 Scrum Guide; current as of October 2026), published by CertiProf. It was last reviewed in October 2026.

Domain names, weights and topics come from CertiProf's official outline (CertiProf SMPC learning objectives, version 2020 (based on the 2020 Scrum Guide; current as of October 2026)). Question counts and study hours are editorial planning estimates, not official figures. Last reviewed October 2026.