How to pass the SCRUMstudy Scrum Master (SMC®) or Product Owner (SPOC®) Certified exam

How to Prepare

Tests are nerve-wracking.  

There…I said it. 

Especially if you’ve been out of school, and the whole “test-taking game” for a while. 

But there’s a pretty simple road to success when it comes to your SMC® or SPOC® exam. Let’s chat about it, shall we? 

1. Schedule your exam.  

Don’t wait too long! Once your application is approved, schedule your exam as soon as possible to make sure you get the date and time you want. Taking the exam about a week after the completion of your course is typically a perfect timeline.  

However, keep in mind that this is an online proctored exam and you must schedule at least three business days before the date you wish to take the exam. For example, if it is August 27th, I can only schedule a time to take the exam from August 30th and onwards. Proctors are only available Monday – Friday, but early morning and late evening slots are up for grabs.  

2. Review how questions will be asked. 

Good news is there are NO trick questions on this exam. Every question will be multiple choice with four options per question. 

If you get stuck and want to skip a question, click the box “Mark this item for later review.” When you’re ready, you can go back to all the questions you skipped by clicking “Review All.”  

3. Study. 

Preparation for this exam is key. To see all my preparation tips, check out THIS POST.  

4. Apply your own experience. 

Many questions on the exam are scenario-based, asking you to apply your own experience and knowledge to typical situations in project management. Therefore, any chance you get to discuss your own experiences in similar situations will give you practice with the type of reasoning you’ll need to apply in the exam.  

5. Find a buddy. 

Studying is so much more fun with a buddy (or a whole group of buddies!). Find out who else is studying for the SMC® or SPOC® exam and link up! You could even use Zoom to review with pals who may be a world away.  

According to the ScrumStudy website, the current pass rate for SMC® is at 95% and 93% for SPOC®.

Trust me – if you study well and approach this exam with a positive attitude, I know you will do great!  

Good luck and I’m cheering for you!