To earn a Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) credential from the Scrum Alliance, you need to take an exam. Here’s what I did to prepare for, and pass, that exam.
Thanks for the kind thoughts but my exam date has been pushed back because, once again, the testing company (Castle Worldwide) are unable to accommodate me.
Each time you try and book the exam, you have to provide three different location / date / time options. I’ve now done this two times (so six different variants now) and still the testing company have been unable to help. They have told me that they can accommodate me at one of their three main sites but the closest is 250 miles from my home, adding (considerably) to the cost of taking the test.
I’ve yet to hear back from Castle Worldwide on whether another option that I have asked for is available. I’ll update the blog when I hear more.
Good reading and looking forward to hear more from the exam itself. I have moved to a small country in Asia where there are hardly any books to get hold of – have 3 of the recommended books on the list from previously and have today ordered another 7 from Amazone. When they arrive, I have to pay even extra to get the books into the country or they will be at the import bureaucracy without any apparent reason. The shipment was actually more than the value of the books itself. Digital books for the Apple Store would be good for us living at the edge of the worlds end:-)
I also took the test and failed totally with 40%. I’m a CMP twice practicing scrum since 2008 but using iterative development long before that. I find the language barrier maybe the most problematic. Not growing up with English as the primary language and not starting to use it until adult age, it’s often difficult to grasp the core of the question and I find myself reading it out load several times in order to get the wording right. Well, that is the drawback of speaking a language practiced by less than 5 million people. I know the content of Scrum, but have to learn to use the correct words 🙂
I think I might have to travel to India to take the exam itself, but I will not ask for the time and place just yet as I would like to prepare a few more weeks before I get the location from Castle Worldwide
Judging by your written word, your English is excellent. I am certain I wouldn’t have a hope of taking any exam in your first language, whatever it may be! I also think that students who don’t speak English as a first language are disadvantaged in these type of tests as so much emphasis is on reading the questions correctly. You have my respect.
I understand your preference for wanting to prepare for the exam but please take note that applications for this test will not be accepted after 15 February 2013. This is because the Scrum Alliance are changing the way in which applicants can earn the CSP.
I strongly urge you to review it and see whether or not the exam is the right way for you to go. If it is, I suggest you pay for the exam prior to 15 Feb and work to take it before the 31 March (end of first quarter).
One final piece of advice I would offer is this: Having taken the practice exam, look at the report that it gives and concentrate your study on your weak areas. There’s almost no chance that you’ll be able to cover all of the recommended reading in time, so you need to ficus your learning efforts.
Hope that helps and do let us know which way you decide to go.
Hi Derek,
thank you for the update you have been giving on your preparation. I am wishing you the best as you write the CSP exam today?
Hi Dele
Thanks for the kind thoughts but my exam date has been pushed back because, once again, the testing company (Castle Worldwide) are unable to accommodate me.
Each time you try and book the exam, you have to provide three different location / date / time options. I’ve now done this two times (so six different variants now) and still the testing company have been unable to help. They have told me that they can accommodate me at one of their three main sites but the closest is 250 miles from my home, adding (considerably) to the cost of taking the test.
I’ve yet to hear back from Castle Worldwide on whether another option that I have asked for is available. I’ll update the blog when I hear more.
Hi Derek
Good reading and looking forward to hear more from the exam itself. I have moved to a small country in Asia where there are hardly any books to get hold of – have 3 of the recommended books on the list from previously and have today ordered another 7 from Amazone. When they arrive, I have to pay even extra to get the books into the country or they will be at the import bureaucracy without any apparent reason. The shipment was actually more than the value of the books itself. Digital books for the Apple Store would be good for us living at the edge of the worlds end:-)
I also took the test and failed totally with 40%. I’m a CMP twice practicing scrum since 2008 but using iterative development long before that. I find the language barrier maybe the most problematic. Not growing up with English as the primary language and not starting to use it until adult age, it’s often difficult to grasp the core of the question and I find myself reading it out load several times in order to get the wording right. Well, that is the drawback of speaking a language practiced by less than 5 million people. I know the content of Scrum, but have to learn to use the correct words 🙂
I think I might have to travel to India to take the exam itself, but I will not ask for the time and place just yet as I would like to prepare a few more weeks before I get the location from Castle Worldwide
Hi Stein
Judging by your written word, your English is excellent. I am certain I wouldn’t have a hope of taking any exam in your first language, whatever it may be! I also think that students who don’t speak English as a first language are disadvantaged in these type of tests as so much emphasis is on reading the questions correctly. You have my respect.
I understand your preference for wanting to prepare for the exam but please take note that applications for this test will not be accepted after 15 February 2013. This is because the Scrum Alliance are changing the way in which applicants can earn the CSP.
I strongly urge you to review it and see whether or not the exam is the right way for you to go. If it is, I suggest you pay for the exam prior to 15 Feb and work to take it before the 31 March (end of first quarter).
One final piece of advice I would offer is this: Having taken the practice exam, look at the report that it gives and concentrate your study on your weak areas. There’s almost no chance that you’ll be able to cover all of the recommended reading in time, so you need to ficus your learning efforts.
Hope that helps and do let us know which way you decide to go.
Hi Derek ..
I just applied for CSP as the pattern going to be change from 15 feb. But its not madatory to take it before 31st march,
When I applied last week the information was same but now they are continuing the old process parallely with new pilot process.
So I am getting 90 days of time … I also confirmed the same information from the Scrum Alliance by sending the query.
Whosoever wants to apply before 15th feb will get enough time to prepare for CSP.
ALL the best all CSP aspirants !!!