PSM I · 30% of the exam
Scrum Events practice questions
10 free Scrum Events questions for the Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.
What this domain covers
The largest PSM I domain: the Sprint and its four events, their purpose, timeboxes and who attends.
- Exam weight
- 30%
- On a real exam
- ≈ 24 questions
- In our bank
- 176 questions
Topics that come up most
- The Sprint as the container event
- Sprint Planning topics and output
- Daily Scrum purpose
- Sprint Review vs Sprint Retrospective
- Timeboxes
How to study it
Make a table of each event: purpose, timebox for a one-month Sprint, required attendees. Most event questions are answered by that table.
Sample Scrum Events questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.
Question 1
According to the Scrum Guide, how is the Daily Scrum's specific structure determined?
- AThe Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work
- BThe Scrum Guide mandates a single specific format (like three fixed questions) that every Scrum Team must use identically
- CThe Scrum Master dictates the exact structure the Developers must follow every day
- DThe organization's HR department defines the required format for every team's Daily Scrum
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as their Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work
- AThe Scrum Guide states the Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want for the Daily Scrum, as long as it focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day of work — this creates focus and improves self-management.
- BThis is incorrect — the Scrum Guide specifically states the Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, rather than mandating a single specific format every team must follow identically.
- CThis is incorrect — the Scrum Guide states the Developers themselves select the structure and techniques for their Daily Scrum, not the Scrum Master dictating it to them.
- DThis is incorrect and has no basis in the Scrum Guide — the Developers themselves select the Daily Scrum's structure and techniques, not an HR department.
Question 2
According to the Scrum Guide, how does the Daily Scrum support the Scrum Team's self-management?
- AThe Developers choose its structure and techniques and produce their own actionable plan for the next day of work.
- BThe Scrum Master assigns the next day's tasks, freeing the Developers to focus on their work instead of planning.
- CThe Product Owner attends to reprioritize the Sprint Backlog daily so the Developers need not decide what comes next.
- DEach Developer reports status to the Scrum Master, who then decides which impediments the team should address.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The Developers choose its structure and techniques and produce their own actionable plan for the next day of work.
At the Daily Scrum, the Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and create their own plan for the next day, using whatever structure they choose. The Scrum Guide says this creates focus and improves self-management.
- ACorrect. The Guide says the Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as the Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan for the next day, and that this improves self-management.
- BIncorrect. The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers, who adapt their own plan. The Scrum Master makes sure events take place and stay productive but does not assign work.
- CIncorrect. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers. A Product Owner who is actively working on Sprint Backlog items takes part as a Developer, not to reprioritize the team's plan.
- DIncorrect. The Daily Scrum is not a status report to the Scrum Master. The Developers inspect progress and adapt their own plan.
Question 3
A Scrum Master notices the Daily Scrum regularly runs 25 minutes. The Developers say, 'We just have a lot to discuss.' Which response best fits the Scrum Guide?
- AKeep the 15-minute timebox and hold detailed discussions in follow-up meetings later in the day
- BExtend the Daily Scrum timebox to 30 minutes, since the team is self-managing
- CHave the Scrum Master lead the Daily Scrum and cut off any discussion that runs too long
- DHold the Daily Scrum every other day so each session has enough time for a full discussion
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Keep the 15-minute timebox and hold detailed discussions in follow-up meetings later in the day
The Daily Scrum is timeboxed to 15 minutes. Detailed adaptation or re-planning discussions belong in separate meetings the Developers hold throughout the day.
- ACorrect. The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event. The Scrum Guide notes that Developers often meet throughout the day for more detailed discussions about adapting or re-planning the rest of the Sprint's work.
- BIncorrect. Self-management doesn't let a team change the Daily Scrum's 15-minute duration set by the Scrum Guide.
- CIncorrect. The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers. The Scrum Master makes sure it takes place and stays within the timebox but doesn't run or control the discussion.
- DIncorrect. The Scrum Guide says the Daily Scrum is held every working day of the Sprint.
Question 4
A newly formed Scrum Team is preparing for its first Sprint Planning. A team member asks who is expected to do the actual planning work during the event. According to the Scrum Guide, which statement is accurate?
- AThe entire Scrum Team creates the plan collaboratively, and the Scrum Master ensures the event takes place, is positive and productive, and stays within its timebox.
- BThe Scrum Master drafts the Sprint plan and presents it to the Developers for confirmation, while the Product Owner attends only to answer scope questions.
- CThe Product Owner decides the Sprint Goal and selects the Sprint Backlog items alone, and the Developers then plan only how they will deliver that selection.
- DThe Developers plan the Sprint on their own, and the Product Owner and Scrum Master first see the resulting plan when it is inspected at the Sprint Review.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The entire Scrum Team creates the plan collaboratively, and the Scrum Master ensures the event takes place, is positive and productive, and stays within its timebox.
In the Scrum Guide, the Sprint Planning plan is created by the collaborative work of the entire Scrum Team. The Scrum Master ensures the event takes place, is productive and stays within its timebox, but does not create the plan alone.
- ACorrect. The Scrum Guide says the plan resulting from Sprint Planning is created by the collaborative work of the entire Scrum Team. As with every event, the Scrum Master ensures it takes place, is positive and productive, and is kept within the timebox.
- BIncorrect. The Scrum Master does not create the plan for the team. The Product Owner and the Developers collaborate on the plan, and the Developers select the items and plan the work.
- CIncorrect. The whole Scrum Team crafts the Sprint Goal together. The Developers select items from the Product Backlog through discussion with the Product Owner, so the Product Owner does not choose them alone.
- DIncorrect. Sprint Planning involves the whole Scrum Team. The Product Owner proposes how the product could increase its value and utility in the current Sprint, and the Sprint Review inspects the outcome of the Sprint, not the plan.
Question 5
A newly formed Scrum Team is about to hold Sprint Planning for its first Sprint and has no historical velocity data. What does the Scrum Guide indicate about this situation?
- ASprint Planning proceeds as normal; past performance helps the Developers forecast with confidence, but velocity is not a requirement.
- BThe Developers should complete at least three Sprints to establish a velocity baseline before Sprint Planning can produce a valid forecast.
- CThe first Sprint should be a 'Sprint Zero' that produces no Increment and is used only to measure velocity for later planning.
- DUntil velocity data exists, the Product Owner selects the Sprint Backlog items alone, and the Developers plan only how to do the work.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Sprint Planning proceeds as normal; past performance helps the Developers forecast with confidence, but velocity is not a requirement.
Velocity is not part of the Scrum Guide. Knowing past performance increases forecast confidence, but a new team still holds Sprint Planning, and the Developers select the items after discussing them with the Product Owner.
- ACorrect. The word 'velocity' does not appear in the Scrum Guide. The Guide says that the more the Scrum Team knows about its past performance, upcoming capacity and Definition of Done, the more confident they will be in their forecasts. That makes past data helpful, not required, so a new team plans its first Sprint in the usual way.
- BIncorrect. The Scrum Guide sets no minimum number of Sprints and no velocity baseline. Velocity is not a Scrum Guide concept at all.
- CIncorrect. The Scrum Guide does not describe a 'Sprint Zero'. Every Sprint is a container for creating at least one useful Increment, and Sprint Planning starts each Sprint, including the first.
- DIncorrect. The Guide says the Developers select items from the Product Backlog through discussion with the Product Owner. It gives no exception that moves this selection to the Product Owner for new teams.
Question 6
During Sprint Planning, a team asks how the Scrum Guide expects Product Backlog items to be chosen for the Sprint. Which statement best reflects the Guide?
- AThe Developers select the items through discussion with the Product Owner; the Guide does not prescribe a voting or unanimity method.
- BThe Product Owner selects the items for the Sprint and assigns them to the Developers in Product Backlog order.
- CEvery Developer must formally agree to each item before it is added, because the Guide requires unanimous consent.
- DThe Scrum Master runs a vote of the whole Scrum Team, and the items with the most votes are added to the Sprint.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The Developers select the items through discussion with the Product Owner; the Guide does not prescribe a voting or unanimity method.
According to the Scrum Guide, the Developers select Sprint items through discussion with the Product Owner. The Guide leaves the method of reaching agreement to the self-managing Developers.
- ACorrect. The Guide says that through discussion with the Product Owner, the Developers select items from the Product Backlog to include in the current Sprint. It does not prescribe a decision mechanism such as unanimity or voting. How the Developers reach agreement is up to them as a self-managing team.
- BIncorrect. The Product Owner discusses the most important items and how they map to the Product Goal. The Developers do the selecting, and nobody assigns work to them.
- CIncorrect. The Scrum Guide does not define a unanimity requirement or any other formal decision procedure for selecting items.
- DIncorrect. The Guide does not describe a voting procedure, and the Scrum Master does not decide which items are selected.
Question 7
A Developer says the Sprint Backlog belongs only to the Daily Scrum and should be touched at no other time. Which statement best reflects the Scrum Guide?
- AIt is created at Sprint Planning, adapted at the Daily Scrum, and updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned
- BIt is created at Sprint Planning and then stays fixed until the Sprint Review formally inspects it
- CIt is maintained by the Product Owner, who changes it at the Sprint Review based on stakeholder feedback
- DIt is created at the Daily Scrum and inspected again at the Sprint Retrospective to improve the Definition of Done
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) It is created at Sprint Planning, adapted at the Daily Scrum, and updated throughout the Sprint as more is learned
The Sprint Backlog is created at Sprint Planning, and at each Daily Scrum the Developers inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt it. The Developers also update it throughout the Sprint as more is learned, so it is not limited to the Daily Scrum.
- ACorrect. The Sprint Backlog (the Sprint Goal, the selected items, and the plan) is formed at Sprint Planning. The Daily Scrum inspects progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapts the Sprint Backlog as necessary. The Guide also says the Developers update it throughout the Sprint as more is learned.
- BIncorrect. The Sprint Backlog is not frozen after Sprint Planning; it changes throughout the Sprint. The Sprint Review inspects the outcome of the Sprint and progress toward the Product Goal.
- CIncorrect. The Guide describes the Sprint Backlog as a plan by and for the Developers. Changes made at the Sprint Review in response to feedback apply to the Product Backlog.
- DIncorrect. The Sprint Backlog is created at Sprint Planning, not at the Daily Scrum. The Sprint Retrospective looks at individuals, interactions, processes, tools, and the Definition of Done, not the Sprint Backlog itself.
Question 8
The Developers ask the Scrum Master whether the actionable plan for the next day of work, produced at the Daily Scrum, must be captured in a specific written format. What does the Scrum Guide say?
- AIt prescribes no format; the Developers choose their own approach and adapt the Sprint Backlog as needed
- BThe Scrum Master records the plan in meeting minutes so stakeholders can review it after the event
- CEach Developer states their plan using the three standard questions, and the answers are logged
- DThe Product Owner approves the written daily plan before the Developers begin the day's work
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) It prescribes no format; the Developers choose their own approach and adapt the Sprint Backlog as needed
The Daily Scrum must produce an actionable plan for the next day, but the Scrum Guide lets the Developers choose how they do it. The plan shows up as the Developers adapt their Sprint Backlog, not in a mandated document.
- ACorrect. The Scrum Guide says the Developers can select whatever structure and techniques they want, as long as the Daily Scrum focuses on progress toward the Sprint Goal and produces an actionable plan. The purpose is to adapt the Sprint Backlog as necessary, and no separate document format is required.
- BIncorrect. The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers. The Scrum Guide gives the Scrum Master no duty to take minutes and requires no record for stakeholders.
- CIncorrect. The current Scrum Guide does not prescribe the three questions or any logging. The Developers choose whatever structure and techniques suit them.
- DIncorrect. The Sprint Backlog is a plan by and for the Developers. The Product Owner does not approve the Developers' daily plan.
Question 9
A Product Owner is not working on any items in the Sprint Backlog and asks whether the Scrum Guide expects them to take part in the Daily Scrum. Which statement best matches the Scrum Guide?
- AThe Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers; the Product Owner takes part as a Developer only when working on Sprint Backlog items
- BThe Product Owner must attend every Daily Scrum so the Sprint Goal can be renegotiated whenever progress falls behind
- CThe Product Owner must attend each Daily Scrum to receive a status report from the Developers on completed items
- DThe Product Owner must attend each Daily Scrum but may only observe, while the Scrum Master leads the discussion
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) The Daily Scrum is an event for the Developers; the Product Owner takes part as a Developer only when working on Sprint Backlog items
The 2020 Scrum Guide calls the Daily Scrum an event for the Developers. The Product Owner and Scrum Master take part as Developers only when they are actively working on Sprint Backlog items.
- ACorrect. The Scrum Guide calls the Daily Scrum a 15-minute event for the Developers of the Scrum Team. It adds that if the Product Owner or Scrum Master is actively working on items in the Sprint Backlog, they participate as Developers.
- BIncorrect. The Guide does not require the Product Owner to attend. The Daily Scrum is for the Developers to inspect progress toward the Sprint Goal and adapt the Sprint Backlog, not to renegotiate the Sprint Goal.
- CIncorrect. The Daily Scrum is not a status report to the Product Owner. It is an event for the Developers to inspect progress and plan their next day of work.
- DIncorrect. The Guide does not require the Product Owner to attend as an observer, and it does not say the Scrum Master leads the Daily Scrum. The Developers can choose whatever structure and techniques they want.
Question 10
Who has the authority to cancel a Sprint, according to the Scrum Guide?
- AOnly the Product Owner
- BOnly the Scrum Master
- CAny Developer, by majority vote of the Developers
- DAny external stakeholder who believes the Sprint Goal is no longer relevant
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Only the Product Owner
- AThe Scrum Guide states a Sprint could be cancelled if the Sprint Goal becomes obsolete, and only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel the Sprint.
- BThis is incorrect — the Scrum Guide states only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint, not the Scrum Master.
- CThis is incorrect — the Scrum Guide states only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint, not the Developers by vote.
- DThis is incorrect — the Scrum Guide states only the Product Owner has the authority to cancel a Sprint, not an external stakeholder.
Scrum Events: FAQs
How much of the PSM I exam is Scrum Events?
Scrum Events is 30% of the PSM I exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 80-question form works out to roughly 24 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.
What does the Scrum Events domain cover?
The largest PSM I domain: the Sprint and its four events, their purpose, timeboxes and who attends.
How should I study Scrum Events for PSM I?
Make a table of each event: purpose, timebox for a one-month Sprint, required attendees. Most event questions are answered by that table.
Where can I practise more Scrum Events questions?
This page has 10 free Scrum Events questions with answers. CertRidge's PSM I question bank has 176 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Get Scrum Events exam-ready
The full PSM I bank has 176 Scrum Events questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Not affiliated with Scrum.org; questions are original and never copied from the real exam.