If you’re looking to advance your career in Agile project management, obtaining a SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) certification is a great way to showcase your skills and expertise. However, passing the SASM exam can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the exam format and content. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can take to increase your chances of passing the SASM exam and achieving your certification.
Table of Contents
Understanding the SASM Exam Format
Before diving into exam preparation, it’s important to understand the SASM exam format. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, which you have 120 minutes to complete. The questions are divided into four categories: Agile Facilitation, Agile Coaching, Agile Scrum Master, and Agile Scaling. You must score a minimum of 73% or 44 out of 60 questions to pass the exam.
Preparing for the SASM Exam
1. Read the Official Study Guide
The first step in preparing for the SASM exam is to read the official study guide provided by Scaled Agile, Inc. The study guide covers all the topics that will be tested in the exam and provides a detailed explanation of each concept. Make sure to read and understand each section thoroughly before moving on to the next.
2. Take Practice Exams
Taking practice exams is an essential aspect of your SASM exam preparation. Practice exams provide you with a clear understanding of the exam format and give you a chance to identify areas where you need to improve. In addition to the practice exam offered by Scaled Agile, Inc., you can also check out SASM Exam Prep, which offers a comprehensive range of practice tests designed to help you maximize your chances of success. These practice tests cover all the exam topics, and you can take them multiple times to reinforce your knowledge and improve your test-taking skills.
3. Attend SASM Training
Scaled Agile, Inc. offers SASM training courses that cover all the concepts and topics tested in the exam. Attending a training course will give you an in-depth understanding of each concept and provide you with hands-on experience in applying them. The training course also includes practice exams and study materials, making it an excellent resource for exam preparation.
4. Join a Study Group
Joining a study group is a great way to supplement your exam preparation. Study groups provide an opportunity to discuss difficult concepts with others, share resources, and get feedback on your understanding of the material. You can join a study group online or in-person, depending on your preference.
Tips for Passing the SASM Exam
1. Manage Your Time
One of the most important aspects of passing the SASM exam is time management. You have 120 minutes to complete the exam, which means you have an average of two minutes per question. Make sure to pace yourself and allocate enough time for each question. If you get stuck on a question, don’t spend too much time on it. Mark it for review and move on to the next question.
2. Focus on Key Concepts
The SASM exam covers a wide range of Agile concepts and topics, but not all concepts are equally important. Focus on the key concepts that are most likely to appear on the exam. Make sure you understand the Agile Manifesto, Scrum framework, and the roles and responsibilities of an Agile Scrum Master.
3. Eliminate Incorrect Answers
When answering multiple-choice questions, eliminate any obviously incorrect answers first. This will increase your chances of selecting the correct answer. Read each question carefully and eliminate any answers that are clearly wrong. Then, choose the best answer from the remaining options.
4. Stay Calm and Focused
During the exam, it’s important to stay calm and focused. Don’t let anxiety or stress get the best of you. Take deep breaths, stay hydrated, and take breaks when needed. If you feel stuck on a question, move on to the next one and come back to it later. Remember, the goal is to pass the exam, not to get a perfect score.
5. Practice Agile Principles in Your Daily Work
Passing the SASM exam is not just about memorizing concepts and passing a test. It’s about applying Agile principles in your daily work. Make sure to practice Agile principles and methodologies in your day-to-day work as an Agile Scrum Master. This will help you gain real-world experience and reinforce your understanding of the concepts tested on the exam.
Conclusion
Passing the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) exam is an important step in advancing your career as an Agile project manager. By understanding the exam format, preparing thoroughly, and following the tips outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and achieving your certification. Remember, taking practice exams is a crucial aspect of your preparation. You can check out SASM Exam Prep for additional practice tests that cover all the exam topics, giving you an edge in the exam. With dedication and perseverance, you can ace the SASM exam and take your career to the next level.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
The SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) certification is the exam given to students who have participated in the SAFe™ Advanced Scrum Master training course. Those who hold the SASM certification have proven their ability to develop a systems view of the Scrum Master role in an enterprise with a focus on integrated practices for facilitating teams in larger Agile programs.
The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you have 120 minutes to complete it. The passing score for the SASM assessment is 73%, , which means you need to answer at least 44 out of 60 questions correctly to pass.
Official SAFe™ Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) exam details:
- Passing score: 44/60 (73%)
- Time limit: 120 minutes
- Number of Questions: 60
- Format: Multiple Choice and Multiple Answer
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Language: English only
- Fee: First attempt included in the course registration fee if taken within 30 days of course completion. Each retake or attempt past the 30-day window is $50
- Attend SAFe™ Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) Training, a 2-day training program that will give you an understanding of your leadership role in facilitating Agile team, program, and enterprise success in a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) implementation
- Carefully read and understand the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master Student Workbook.
- Take ScrumPrep’s SAFe™ Advanced Scrum Master SASM Exam Prep practices questions until you consistently score 90-100%.
The time it takes to prepare for the exam depends on your previous experience with SAFe, Scrum and your learning style. On average, it takes 1-2 weeks of preparing for the exam, however, it can be taken in less time depending on how much you’ve already mastered.
The exam is updated periodically (sometimes monthly) to ensure that it remains relevant and up-to-date with the latest practices. Be sure to check for updates and changes to the resources and exam content before taking the exam.
The SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) exam is a more advanced certification exam compared to the SAFe Scrum Master (SSM) exam. The SASM exam covers more advanced topics, such as advanced Scrum concepts, facilitation of cross-team interactions, advanced metrics, and coaching Agile teams. The SSM exam, on the other hand, focuses on the Scrum framework and its application within the context of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). The SASM exam is designed for individuals who have already passed the SSM exam and have gained some experience in implementing Scrum within the SAFe framework.
Yes, you can take the exam multiple times if you don’t pass on the first attempt. However, you need to pay for each attempt.
Passing the SASM assessment demonstrates your ability to optimize value delivery in large enterprises using Scrum and SAFe. SAFe Advanced Scrum Masters help to build communities of practice, lead distributed teams, and coach in a multi-team environment.
Benefits of passing the SASM assessment include demonstrating your ability to optimize value delivery in large enterprises using Scrum and SAFe, which can lead to career advancement opportunities and a competitive edge in the job market. Additionally, passing the SASM assessment can increase your earning potential and provide a foundation for further SAFe certifications.
A 2-day SAFe™ Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) training program is required to be qualified for the exam. You can find a list of training providers here.
The SAFe Advanced Scrum Master (SASM) certification is valid for one year from the date of certification. After that, you’ll need to renew your certification by paying a fee and completing the SAFe Advanced Scrum Master renewal exam. The renewal exam is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the latest version of SAFe and its application within the Scrum framework. The renewal fee and exam may vary depending on your geographic location and the certifying organization.
