Award-Winning Certified ScrumMaster Certification Training in Rolling Meadows, IL

If you're ready to invest in formal Scrum Master certification training but aren't sure how to get started, Varsity Tutors provides dedicated online classes that can help you reach for your goals. Scrum is an "Agile" way to manage a project that is particularly popular in the field of software development. The emphasis is placed on creating a self-organizing, cross-functional team with no traditional leader, creating a collaborative product development process that leverages teamwork to effectively meet a client's needs. A Scrum Master is the team's coach, responsible for managing the process (such as adherence to Scrum principles) but not assigning tasks to individual team members (which would violate Scrum principles).

Multiple organizations provide Scrum Master certification, including the Scrum Alliance and Scrum.org. Furthermore, most organizations offer various levels of Scrum certification, allowing those with advanced skills to pursue job opportunities or higher salaries as a result of their experience. Taking a Scrum Master certification course can be a great way to prepare for anything you need to do to earn the specific certification you're looking into. Keep reading for more information on how we could help you prepare to become a certified Scrum Master.

What Do I Need to Do to Earn Scrum Master Certification?

The requirements to become a Scrum Master vary from organization to organization and certification to certification. For example, the entry-level certification offered by the Scrum Alliance is called "Certified ScrumMaster," or CSM, and entails taking a 16-hour in-person course provided by the organization and then passing an hour-long exam.

In contrast, the entry-level cert offered by Scrum.org is awarded to anyone who passes their Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Level 1 assessment. The organization offers courses to help test-takers prepare for the test, but courses aren't mandatory to earn certification.

More advanced certifications also have their own rules. For instance, there isn't a test associated with the Scrum Alliance's Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM) or Certified Scrum Professional-Scrum Master (CSP-SM) at all. Instead, candidates must take accredited courses (which may involve pre- and post-course work) and verify a level of professional Scrum experience in order to earn certification.

Different organizations also attach different expiration dates to their certificates. For example, Scrum.org certifications never expire, while Scrum Alliance certifications require Scrum Educational Units (SEUs) to remain current after two years have elapsed. If you have any questions concerning which certification you should pursue or how to go about it, your Scrum Master certification class instructor would be happy to answer them.

What Topics Can I Review During Scrum Master Certification Training?

While many organizations offer different Scrum certifications, the underlying principles you need to know about are relatively consistent. As such, your instructor can cover subjects such as the four values of the Agile Manifesto, Scrum Theory, the five core Scrum Values (Commitment, Courage, Focus, Openness, and Respect), how a Scrum Team operates, and the role of a Scrum Master to help you feel prepared on test day.

Your instructor has a variety of teaching tools at their disposal to help you understand these concepts. For example, you can review each of the roles a Scrum Team must fill in order to develop a fuller understanding of how it all works. If you're having a hard time with the rote memorization part of it, your instructor can show you handy memory tricks to make it easier.

Your expert instructor can also break the information down into bite-sized chunks, making your test prep feel more accessible than trying to review an exam's entire study guide at once. Furthermore, your instructor can look for ways to make the material more interesting, as a true engagement with the content matter can help it stick in your mind.

Your instructor can also provide step by step tutorials on anything you don't understand. If you're a visual learner, your instructor can give you a link to a graphical representation of the Scrum process to make it easier to visualize. Similarly, an auditory student might get more out a recording with the same information. If you're a kinesthetic learner who studies best by doing, putting Scrum principles to work in the classroom can help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of them.

We thoroughly vet every Scrum Master certification course instructor, so you can count on receiving up to date information in your course. Additionally, your instructor can create a learning environment where questions are encouraged, helping you address any misunderstandings before they spiral into significant learning obstacles.

Unlike many competing companies that market prerecorded videos as "live Scrum Master certification training," all of our products are comprised of live instruction. If you and your classmates are already comfortable working with Scrum artifacts, your instructor can pivot to a different topic to keep sessions as engaging as possible. In contrast, video clips say the same thing whether their audience finds the information helpful or not. Live classes can also get a lively discussion going that incorporates a variety of different perspectives, something that recordings can never match.

What Is Taking A Scrum Master Certification Test Like?

While the exact formatting of the exam depends on the organization that offers the cert you are pursuing, there are several points of commonality. Most exams are browser-based, meaning that you take them on your own computer at a time that makes sense for you. Multiple-choice formats are also common, giving you a set number of answers to choose from on every question.

The time available to you and the number of questions you need to answer can vary significantly from test to test. For instance, the Scrum Alliance's CSM exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions administered over a testing session lasting one hour, and you need to answer 37 of them correctly in order to pass. Scrum.org's PSM Level 1 exam contains 80 questions in 60 minutes, including a blend of true/false, multiple-choice, and multiple response (more than one correct choice per question) items. You need to score at least an 85 out of 100 to pass this one.

How Can My Instructor Help Me Prepare For My Exam During My Scrum Master Certification Training?

Your expert teacher can share test-taking strategies to help you feel more confident heading into your exam. For example, consider a standard multiple-choice item with four possible answer choices. A blind guess has 1:4 odds of proving correct, but your instructor can help you improve those odds by teaching you how to eliminate some of the incorrect answer choices. You have a 1:3 chance of getting it right if you eliminate one choice, 1:2 if you get rid of two, and a 100 percent chance if you can rule out all three wrong answers. Just make sure that you can actually eliminate each answer before you stop considering it!

Likewise, you can learn how to leverage the exam against itself if you're stuck on a particular question. Maybe a future item contains the information you need to solve the one that stumped you. Since you're being timed, it can also make sense to just answer something so that you can move on to potentially easier items. You can always go back if time permits at the conclusion of the exam.

Many students also incorporate practice tests into their Scrum Master certification training to give their pupils firsthand experience managing the time available to them. Make sure to tell your instructor the exact exam you plan to take so that they can furnish you with an appropriate practice test.

Taking practice exams can also familiarize you with how a test presents information. For instance, words like "except" and "not" completely change a question's meaning. Knowing how an exam presents these words can ensure that you understand the question when you answer it. Working with an assessment's electronic interface can also help ensure that there are no unwelcome surprises on exam day. If an exam is known for deceptive or misleading wording, completing practice tests can also help you avoid common traps. You should also make sure that you understand all of the directions before taking any test.

Once your exam is finished, you can review your answers with your instructor to help you identify how you're progressing. If you consistently answer items regarding product backlogs correctly, you may feel more confident when the topic shows up on test day. If you're struggling with questions on the role of transparency in Scrum teams, you know that you should ask your instructor for further clarification on that topic.

If you deal with test anxiety, your Scrum Master certification training teacher can show you how to cope with it as well. Sometimes, merely knowing that your exam prep was as comprehensive as it could be is enough to put your mind at ease. If you're looking for something more proactive, your instructor can demonstrate meditative techniques to help you calm down and concentrate on the question in front of you.

Are There Any Advantages Associated With the Collaborative Learning Environment a Scrum Master Certification Course Provides?

While some students don't want to share their expert instructor with others at first, doing so can actually prove advantageous. One of your new friends may know a great mnemonic device you can use to remember the importance of Scrum events such as the Sprint Review, Daily Scrum, and Retrospective. Hearing an alternate perspective on the value of Scrum could also help you develop a greater appreciation for it.

Teaching can also be a very effective means of advancing your understanding of a topic, but your instructor is already too knowledgeable to act as your student. Your classmates can make for a much better "class," especially if they are struggling with something you have a working knowledge of.

Your instructor can also break your Scrum Master certification class into smaller groups to give you an opportunity to put Scrum principles into action. Working in a group without a clearly defined leader can be strange at first, but practical experience can illustrate the value of it. Your instructor can also provide constructive criticism on your own performance as Scrum Master so you know how you could improve in the future.

Are There Any Other Benefits Associated With Professional Scrum Master Certification Training?

Sometimes, the most challenging part of taking a standardized exam isn't the material or test anxiety. It's the mental resistance most people have to studying for it when they would much rather be doing something else. Enrolling in a Scrum Master certification course ensures that you set some time aside for test prep, making it easier to feel prepared on test day.

If you decide to supplement your course with independent study, your instructor can also refer you to trustworthy study aids. Many Scrum certifications are updated frequently, so working with dated materials could actually be worse than not studying at all. Similarly, it can be beneficial to work with materials centered around the test you're studying for in case there are any discrepancies between Scrum certification providers.

Your instructor can also help you make the most of the resources available to you. For instance, you are free to consult any materials you wish during your exam because there is no proctor. While it can be tempting to use the internet to double-check every answer, doing so will quickly deplete your time. Instead, your instructor can help you create a targeted "cheat sheet" centered around the topics you're most likely to forget in one convenient location for ease of use.

Your instructor can also share test-taking tips that many students don't even realize they need until it's too late. For example, eating a nourishing meal before your exam can help you maintain your focus for the duration of the exam. Wearing a favorite outfit and keeping a good luck charm close at hand can also put you in a positive frame of mind, making it easier to do your best. It's even okay to take an unscheduled break if you feel that you really need to, though bear in mind that you generally cannot pause the timer once the exam begins.

That Sounds Wonderful, But How Do I Fit Formal Scrum Master Certification Training Into My Busy Lifestyle?

While many of our competitors seem to go out of their way to make attending a Scrum Master certification class as inconvenient as it can possibly be, Varsity Tutors takes the opposite approach. Our exclusive Live Learning Platform facilitates class sessions that can take place anywhere that makes the most sense for you. If you would like to attend classes without leaving the comfort of your living room, you can do so. If you would rather study in the tranquility of a local library or the familiarity of a friend's house, our mobile-friendly platform can go wherever you do. Why go through the hassle of commuting someplace when a great course can come to you?

If you're hesitant to trust digital instruction, don't be. Our proprietary Live Learning Platform leverages powerful features such as video chat functionality and a virtual whiteboard to provide a premium, face-to-face study experience comparable to anything you could get in a more traditional course. Your instructor can see and hear you at all times, so asking for assistance is as simple as raising your hand. Likewise, working remotely eliminates geographical considerations from your choice of instructor, allowing you to work with the best teacher available no matter where you live.

We also know how busy you are, so we provide both two-week and four-week Scrum Master certification training options for your convenience. If you're interested in taking your certification test as quickly as possible, a two-week course probably makes the most sense for you. If you're looking to minimize the footprint studying has on your everyday life, spreading your sessions out over four weeks might be better. You get the same number of contact hours of premium instruction either way, so go with whatever option most appeals to you.

We also start new Scrum Master certification training classes on a monthly basis, so you're never too far away from getting started. If you ever feel like you could use some extra help, you can also request private study time with your knowledgeable instructor on an as-needed basis. We do everything in our power to take the hassle out of studying Scrum.

How Do I Get Started Today?

If you were going to try and find your own instructor, you would need to make sure that they have the availability you're looking for. You'd also need to verify that they have the communication skills required to effectively lead a classroom. Most importantly, you need to know that their knowledge base regarding Scrum certification is both extensive and up to date. Who has time for all of that?

Instead, let Varsity Tutors enroll you in a comprehensive Scrum Master certification class that covers everything you'll need to know on exam day. Friendly educational consultants are currently standing by to help you through our convenient enrollment process, so reach out right away to get the process started! You'll be glad you did.