PSM III questions: what the Scrum.org exam asks and how it is graded
PSM III is the third level of Scrum.org’s Scrum Master certifications, after PSM I and PSM II. The exam has 24 essay questions — typed answers only, no pasting — in 150 minutes, in English, for $500 per attempt. It is graded pass/did not pass, grading takes about four weeks, and the certification is for life. PSM I and PSM II are strongly recommended but not required.
- Certification
- Professional Scrum Master III (PSM III), issued by Scrum.orgScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Cost
- $500 USD per attemptScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Questions
- 24 essay questions; responses must be typed, no pastingScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Duration
- 150 minutes (2.5 hours)Scrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Scoring
- Pass / Did Not Pass — no percentage publishedScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Language
- English for questions and responsesScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Prerequisites
- None required; PSM I and PSM II strongly recommendedScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Results
- Grading takes approximately 4 weeks; score is emailedScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
- Validity
- Lifetime — no annual renewal feeScrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026
Know if you're ready for PSM III — before you book.
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Why you can trust these III questions
What is the PSM III certification?
PSM III stands for Professional Scrum Master III. It is the third level of Scrum.org’s Scrum Master certifications, after PSM I and PSM II. Scrum.org describes it as evidence that you have demonstrated a distinguished level of Scrum mastery, and rates the difficulty as Expert.
The focus is not on recalling the Scrum Guide but on applying it. Scrum.org says PSM III tests your ability as a Scrum Master in a variety of complex team and organizational situations, and that you have proven you can coach, facilitate, mentor and teach Scrum Team members. In its own words, earning it requires a very high level of Scrum knowledge and extensive experience as a Scrum Master.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
What are PSM III questions like?
This is the part that surprises most candidates moving up from PSM II. The PSM III exam is essay questions only — 24 of them. There are no multiple-choice items, no true/false, and no partial-credit selection. Every answer is written in your own words.
Scrum.org adds a rule that shapes how you should prepare: all responses must be typed, and pasting prepared responses is not allowed. A library of pre-written answers is therefore of no use in the exam itself. What helps is being able to reason through a messy situation on the spot and explain, in clear English, what a Scrum Master would do and why.
Because the questions are drawn from complex team and organisational situations, a good answer usually does more than name the right Scrum element. It explains the trade-off, ties the decision back to empiricism and the Scrum values, and shows awareness of the people involved.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
How much does the PSM III exam cost?
Scrum.org charges $500 USD per attempt for the PSM III assessment. You buy a password, and Scrum.org states that passwords have no expiration date but are valid for one attempt only. A second attempt means a second password at the same price.
For comparison, Scrum.org lists PSM II at $250 per attempt and PSM I at $200 per attempt, so the three levels together cost $950 if each is passed first time. There is no annual renewal fee on any of them.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
PSM III exam format and time limit
You have 150 minutes — two and a half hours — for 24 essay questions. That is a little over six minutes per question if you spread the time evenly, which is not much for a considered written answer. Time management is a real part of the exam: long, wandering answers on early questions leave too little for the last ones.
Questions and responses are in English only. Scrum.org does not state on the PSM III page whether the assessment is proctored or where it is taken, so check the current conditions on Scrum.org before you buy a password.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
PSM III passing score and grading
Unlike PSM I and PSM II, which both have a published passing score of 85%, PSM III is scored simply Pass or Did Not Pass. Scrum.org does not publish a percentage threshold or a marking rubric for the essays.
Results are not instant either. Scrum.org states that grading takes approximately four weeks and that the score is emailed as soon as grading is complete. Passing candidates receive a free Credly digital credential.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
What topics does the PSM III exam cover?
Scrum.org says PSM III draws broadly from three Professional Scrum Competencies and their focus areas. The breadth is the point: you are expected to connect the framework to people development and to product thinking, not to treat them as separate subjects.
- Understanding and Applying the Scrum Framework — empiricism, Scrum values, Scrum Team, events, artifacts, Done
- Developing People and Teams — self-managing teams, facilitation, coaching, mentoring, teaching
- Managing Products with Agility — forecasting and release planning, product value, stakeholders and customers
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
PSM III prerequisites
There is no formal prerequisite. Scrum.org states that holding PSM I and PSM II is not required but is strongly recommended. In practice, the step from PSM II multiple choice to PSM III essays is large, and the earlier levels are the most direct way to test whether your understanding of the Scrum Guide is solid enough to write about it under time pressure.
Training is optional too. Scrum.org recommends its Professional Scrum Master and Professional Scrum Master Advanced courses, but states that attending a course is neither required nor sufficient for certification.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
Does PSM III expire?
No. Scrum.org lists PSM III as a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee. Scrum.org lists no continuing education requirement to keep it.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master III assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
PSM III vs PSM II
PSM II is 30 questions in 90 minutes, multiple choice, multiple answer and true/false, with partial credit on some questions and a passing score of 85%, for $250. PSM III is 24 essay questions in 150 minutes, graded pass/did not pass, for $500.
The difference is not only length. PSM II checks whether you can recognise the best answer among options. PSM III checks whether you can produce one yourself and justify it in writing — which is why Scrum.org ties it to extensive experience rather than to study alone.
Source: Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master II assessment. Checked 10 October 2026.
Is PSM III worth it, and does it affect salary?
Scrum.org does not publish salary data for PSM III holders, so this page does not quote a salary figure. What the certification does signal is documented: a distinguished, expert-level grasp of Scrum demonstrated in written answers to complex situations.
Whether that is worth $500 and the preparation time depends on your role. For a practising Scrum Master or agile coach who wants evidence of depth beyond PSM II, it is the next step after PSM II in the Scrum.org Scrum Master track.
PSM III practice questions
Certsqill’s PSM III practice questions come with an explanation for every answer option and a readiness score per domain, so you can see which of the three competency areas still needs work before you spend $500 on an attempt.
PSM III questions people ask
How many questions are on the PSM III exam?
24 essay questions. Responses must be typed; pasting prepared responses is not allowed. Source: Scrum.org, checked 10 October 2026.
How long is the PSM III exam?
150 minutes (2.5 hours). Source: Scrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026.
How much does PSM III cost?
$500 USD per attempt. Each password is valid for one attempt and does not expire. Source: Scrum.org, checked 10 October 2026.
What is the PSM III passing score?
Scrum.org does not publish a percentage. The exam is scored Pass or Did Not Pass. Checked 10 October 2026.
How long does it take to get PSM III results?
Scrum.org states grading takes approximately four weeks, and the score is emailed when grading is complete. Checked 10 October 2026.
Do I need PSM II before PSM III?
No. Scrum.org says PSM I and PSM II are not required but strongly recommended. Checked 10 October 2026.
Is the PSM III exam multiple choice?
No. It is essay questions only, in English. Source: Scrum.org PSM III page, checked 10 October 2026.
Does PSM III expire?
No. It is a lifetime certification with no annual renewal fee. Source: Scrum.org, checked 10 October 2026.
