Practice for the Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) exam with 17 exam-style practice questions, instant answer reveals, and concise explanations of every correct answer. Topics include: A product increment must be released to production at the end of each Sprint.. Follow @CertPunch and visit certpunch.com for more certification practice exams and study content.
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What you will practice
- A product increment must be released to production at the end of each Sprint.
- Who is allowed to change the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint? (choose the best answer)
- What are the Product Owner's responsibilities during the interval between the conclusion of the current Sprin…
- What does the word 'development' mean in the context of Scrum? (choose the best answer)
- Product Backlog Refinement… (choose the best two answers)
- What does the word "increment" mean in the context of Scrum? (Choose the best answer)
Answers and explanations
Tap a question to expand the answer and the exam reasoning. Try to commit to your own pick first.
Q1. A product increment must be released to production at the end of each Sprint.
Answer: A. False
An increment must be in a usable condition and meet the definition of done, but the product owner decides if it makes sense to actually release it. Remember that releasable and released are completely different concepts.
Q2. Who is allowed to change the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint? (choose the best answer)
Answer: A. The Developers
The sprint backlog belongs solely to the developers, so they are the only ones who change it during the sprint. While the product owner might negotiate scope, only the developers manage the actual work plan.
Q3. What are the Product Owner's responsibilities during the interval between the conclusion of the current Sprint and the initiation of the next Sprint?
Answer: C. The Product Owner has no specific interval responsibilities between Sprints, as the next Sprint begins immediately following the conclusion of the previous one.
A new sprint starts immediately after the previous one concludes, meaning there is no gap or interval between them. Any backlog refinement or planning simply happens inside the sprint timebox itself.
Q4. What does the word 'development' mean in the context of Scrum? (choose the best answer)
Answer: E. Complex work that can include, but is not limited to, all of the suggested options above.
In Scrum, development refers to any complex work, not just writing software. The framework applies to hardware, research, and product enhancement, so the option including all suggested examples is correct.
Q5. Product Backlog Refinement… (choose the best two answers)
Answer: A,B. Is the act of breaking down and further defining Product Backlog items into smaller more precise items || Is an ongoing activity to add details, such as a description, order, and size
Refinement breaks down large items and adds details like description and size. It is an ongoing activity throughout the sprint, rather than a single timeboxed event or a session strictly for sprint planning.
Q6. What does the word "increment" mean in the context of Scrum? (Choose the best answer)
Answer: B. A potentially releasable piece of the product that adds value and meets the Definition of Done.
An increment is a valuable, usable piece of the product that fully meets the definition of done. Work cannot be called an increment if it does not meet this quality standard, regardless of its potential.
Q7. When can a Developer cancel a Sprint?
Answer: C. Never. Only Product Owners can cancel Sprints
Only the product owner has the authority to cancel a sprint, though developers or others might influence that decision. Remember that scrum masters and developers never hold cancellation authority.
Q8. What does a self-managed Scrum Team choose?
Answer: E. How to best accomplish its work
A self-managing Scrum Team decides internally who does what, when, and how to best accomplish its work. The Product Owner orders the Product Backlog, and developers collaborate on technical execution rather than waiting for external management.
Q9. Which commitment from the Sprint Planning provides the Developers with an overall goal and direction for the Sprint?
Answer: B. The Sprint Goal
The Sprint Goal provides the overarching objective and direction for the Sprint, giving Developers flexibility in their work. It acts as the primary commitment created during Sprint Planning, keeping the team focused on delivering coherent value.
Q10. Who is responsible for tracking the remaining work of the Sprint?
Answer: D. The Developers
Developers are responsible for tracking the remaining work of the Sprint because they self-manage their daily work. The Product Owner tracks the overall Product Backlog, while a traditional Project Manager role does not exist in Scrum.
Q11. When is it most appropriate for a Scrum Team to change the Definition of "Done"?
Answer: B. During the Sprint Retrospective
The Sprint Retrospective is the designated event for the Scrum Team to inspect itself and create an improvement plan. This is the most appropriate time to adapt the Definition of Done to improve quality, provided it does not conflict with organizational standards.
Q12. Which of the following choices is the most effective way for a Scrum Master to maintain a Scrum Team at its highest level of productivity?
Answer: D. Coach the Scrum Team members and cause the removal of impediments to the team's progress
The Scrum Master serves the team by coaching developers and removing impediments. Remember that forcing backlog constraints or acting as a meeting enforcer misses the larger focus of servant leadership and enabling flow.
Q13. Which best describes the Product Backlog?
Answer: D. It is allowed to grow and change as more is learned about the product and its customers
The Product Backlog is allowed to grow and change as more is learned. It is a living artifact that evolves with the product. Avoid options suggesting baselining or treating it as a fixed project plan.
Q14. What are considered attributes of a Product Backlog? (choose the best three answers)
Answer: A,C,E. As long as a product exists, its Product Backlog also exists. || It is dynamic. || It is never complete.
A Product Backlog is dynamic, never complete, and exists as long as the product does. It evolves continuously to maximize value. Eliminate options claiming a backlog is closed or unneeded after specific releases.
Q15. The Scrum Master observes the Product Owner struggling with ordering the Product Backlog. What is an appropriate action for the Scrum Master to take?
Answer: A. Offer the Product Owner help in understanding that the goal of ordering the Product Backlog is to maximize value.
The Scrum Master serves the Product Owner by helping them maximize value through effective backlog management. The Scrum Master guides but never takes over the ordering process. Avoid options suggesting Sprints be extended.
Q16. When Developers determine that they have over-committed themselves for a Sprint, who has to be present when reviewing and adjusting the Sprint work selected?
Answer: C. The Product Owner and the Developers
Developers renegotiate work with the Product Owner if they overcommit. The Product Owner must be present to clarify priorities and adjust scope. Stakeholders and managers are not required for this mid-Sprint adaptation.
Q17. The Scrum Master participates in the Sprint Retrospective as a:
Answer: C. Peer team member
The Scrum Master participates in the sprint retrospective as a peer team member. They share equal footing while inspecting processes. The Scrum Master is neither a silent observer nor a traditional team leader dictating decisions.
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