I completed both the ASM (Agile Scrum Master from Exin) and PSM (Professional Scrum Master from Scrum.org) certifications. Like Andrew, I was not interested in wasting time or money on the CSM certification. It's still amazing to me that the CSM mandates a 2-day course, a huge large fee of around $1,200, has such a low pass rate, and yet is still in demand compared to the other certifications. I can only put this down to it been on the market longer.
Ok now for each certification exam from my experience. I had read from numerous sources that the PSM exam was a lot harder than the CSM. This is certainly evident from the very high 85% required pass rate. I can't comment directly about the CSM since I have not taken that exam, but many others have taken both, and all those I have read say that the PSM exam is a lot harder to pass than the CSM. There doesn't seem much point disputing this from my point of view. So, if you can pass the PSM exam, it will be a walk in the park to pass the CSM.
However, the ASM exam was another beast altogether. It was for me quite a bit harder than the PSM exam, even though it had a significantly lower pass rate. I believe this was due to the exam covering various Agile concepts outside of Scrum, such as XP, DSDM and even Crystal. If you only study Scrum and not cover other Agile methods, or the Agile mindset in general, you will fail this exam.
In closing, now that I hold both the PSM and ASM certifications, I don't know if I will ever step down the ladder and take the CSM exam. Maybe if they raise the pass rate or not make attending an expensive 2-day course mandatory, I might think about it. Or at the very least, I might just do it so that I can report back with first-hand knowledge of sitting the PSM, ASM and CSM exams, and still live to tell the tale.
Which Scrum Master certification would you choose to do, or not to do? Saving Changes...
I passed PSM I and PSPO I, and next week attending 3-days course for CSM (yes, I've succumbed to the dark side).
PSM - it may be the most difficult exam to pass, but it gave the impression that anyone with no experience in scrum (or even read a single book on Agile), can claim to be "Professional" by merely passing an online exam via practice drills, study tips, and blog articles. There is no license number (expected by some) and no renewals, and in-person training not required (i.e. "not trained"). Of course for insiders we know that PSM I is only the first of three levels but most people never heard of "PSM III".
CSM - the test is not as important as staying awake through the 2/3-days mandatory class. It is very expensive unless your company paid for it. You get a license number (paying renewal fees) and the word "Certified" that HR looks for to approve sponsorship, and satisfied that you are "trained" for 2 or 3 full days. Insiders know there is CSM then A-CSM then CSP-SM but it is the CSM that sells with the right spellings.
That said, I'm only doing CSM because the cost is taken care off.
Yes the cost and sitting through boredom for a few days was the biggest obstacle, but having said that, like you if the cost was already covered I would probably do it also. I need a good snooze! Saving Changes...
Yes I have posted on Scrumstudy before, which is why I say "maybe" that is a Scrum certification. The safe ones are PSM, CSM and ASM. lol you are right about the management of that company, they don't seem to exist. Saving Changes...
Rajesh YerunkarEnjoying Life| In TransitionMumbai, Maharastra, India
I am planning to do ASM from Exin... For I thought its worth the time and cost effort.
Any suggestions ??
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Jun 07, 2018 12:44 AM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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I felt it was worth it to me, but everyone has their own preferences. I still believe the PSM is the best Scrum certification.
Thanks Andrew! But i am still curious to know if nowadays you already knowns about ASM certification compared to PSM and CSM! Saving Changes...
Stefan OndekManaging Partner| POTIFOBPrague, Prague, Czechia
Jan 22, 2018 5:35 PM
Replying to Juan Antonio Muñoz Negrete
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Hi! Do you have any information or comparison with Scrum Master Certified (SMC™) certification by SCRUMstudy ?
Thanks
SCRUMStudy is a brand of an Indian company named VMEdu, who are in the business of selling certificates. They base their certification on their "SBOK Guide". Just read its reviews e.g. on Amazon and you realize what "quality" and "credibility" they provide. They cannot even write the word "Scrum" properly (it is not an acronym, so sohuld not be written in all caps).
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1 reply by Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
Feb 26, 2019 1:23 PM
Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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I agree that SCRUMstudy isn't reputable, but I don't believe they have written the word correctly due to ignorance; they are probably just highlighting the word Scrum in caps for marketing purposes.
Saving Changes...
Glenn ChundrlekProject Manager| BelcanLoveland, Oh, United States
I'm also planning on obtaining PSM certification, as I find the cost/benefit ratio to be the best. As I mentioned in another thread, though, I am looking at it as the first step in my Agile education.
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1 reply by Boon Siang Tay
Feb 27, 2019 2:35 AM
Boon Siang Tay
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For a small exam fee, you get a credential that does not expire. The PSM study experience can greatly ease into PMI-ACP exam if you wish to explore that in future.
There is active participation at https://www.scrum.org/forum/scrum-forum, where PSTs (Professional Scrum Trainer) chime in to answer questions about Agile in general.
SCRUMStudy is a brand of an Indian company named VMEdu, who are in the business of selling certificates. They base their certification on their "SBOK Guide". Just read its reviews e.g. on Amazon and you realize what "quality" and "credibility" they provide. They cannot even write the word "Scrum" properly (it is not an acronym, so sohuld not be written in all caps).
I agree that SCRUMstudy isn't reputable, but I don't believe they have written the word correctly due to ignorance; they are probably just highlighting the word Scrum in caps for marketing purposes. Saving Changes...
