In the world of Agile project management, the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification has gained recognition as a valuable credential for professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and skills. Agile methodologies, including Scrum, have become the standard for many industries seeking to improve project management and product development processes. However, with the proliferation of Agile frameworks and certifications, it can be challenging to decipher the complexities of each. One of the key questions that often arises when considering the DASM certification is: How difficult is the DASM exam? In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the DASM certification, explore its details, and help you understand what it takes to pass the DASM exam.
The DASM certification prepares you to successfully lead agile teams, securing your career in a world where agile is quickly becoming the way forward. The Disciplined Agile® tool kit contextualizes hundreds of proven practices such as Scrum, Kanban, SAFe®, and even some predictive approaches.
About Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) Exam
Before we dive into the DASM exam’s difficulty, let’s first get a firm grasp of the Disciplined Agile framework. Disciplined Agile is a process decision toolkit that provides straightforward guidance to help individuals and teams streamline their processes. It encompasses a wide range of Agile and lean approaches, offering flexibility and customization to suit various organizational contexts.
The Disciplined Agile framework is built on a foundation of principles, lifecycles, and roles. The DASM certification is designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required to effectively guide Agile teams in complex and dynamic environments. It’s worth noting that the DASM certification does not focus solely on Scrum but includes a broader spectrum of Agile practices.
The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification prepares you to lead agile teams by leveraging the Disciplined Agile toolkit, which includes tried-and-true practices and approaches. With the DASM certification, an individual will understand how to tailor their working style to the approach that is appropriate for the situation in the organization and industry.
Individuals new to agile can apply for the DASM certification, which includes a DASM course. Candidates must attend the workshop before taking the exam. The DASM course is available as a self-paced online course or as an instructor-led virtual workshop through a PMI Authorized Training Provider (ATP). Candidates who complete the DASM course are eligible to take the DASM certification exam.
Let us now know about the exam details –
Exam Details
Pearson VUE is the company that administers the DASM exam. The exam is a non-proctored online test with 50 multiple-choice questions. The DASM exam does not include any pretest questions. All questions are distributed at random throughout the examination. The total exam appointment time is 120 minutes, which includes 30 minutes for the introduction, tutorial, and survey, as well as up to 90 minutes, to complete the exam.
Key components of the DASM certification include:
- Eligibility: There are no strict prerequisites for taking the DASM exam. Anyone interested in Agile and Scrum can apply for the certification.
- Training: Candidates are encouraged to attend a Disciplined Agile training program, which provides them with the necessary knowledge to excel in the exam. While not mandatory, this training is highly recommended for a better chance of success.
- Exam: The DASM exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of Disciplined Agile principles, practices, and Scrum concepts. The passing score is 70%.
Let us now jump to the exam detailed course outline to get more idea about the exam –
Exam Outline
These are the domains on which the exam will tet you on –
- All about Agile
- Agile and Beyond
- Building and supporting a Disciplined Agile team
- Choosing your way of working (WoW)
- Initiating your team: Tailoring a fit-for-purpose WoW
- Building a solution: Tailoring a fit-for-purpose WoW
- Deploying your solution: Tailoring a fit-for-purpose WoW
- Ensuring that your team improves, succeeds, and has fun doing so on an ongoing basis
- Influence outside the team
Now that we have a good understanding of what the DASM certification entails, let’s explore the difficulty of the DASM exam.
How challenging is the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) exam?
The exam is definitely not for everyone. It is beneficial to understand the fundamentals of agile and lean, as well as how you can practically apply both approaches to produce value for your teams. You gain an appreciation for the DASM mindset and its underlying principles, such as pragmatism, the power of choice, and context adaptation.
Determining the difficulty of an exam is subjective and varies from person to person. Factors that influence the perceived difficulty of the DASM exam include your prior experience in Agile, Scrum, and Disciplined Agile, as well as your ability to absorb new information and adapt to different learning styles. Let’s break down some of the factors that can influence the difficulty of the DASM exam.
- Prior Knowledge: If you have a background in Agile and Scrum practices, you might find the DASM exam less challenging. Familiarity with key concepts, roles, and practices will certainly be an advantage. However, it’s worth noting that the DASM exam covers a broader scope than traditional Scrum certifications, so you’ll need to be well-versed in Disciplined Agile principles as well.
- Training: Attending a Disciplined Agile training program can significantly ease the difficulty of the exam. These programs offer valuable insights, practical examples, and interactive discussions that enhance your understanding of Disciplined Agile, Scrum, and Agile methodologies in general.
- Study Materials: The availability of study materials, such as books, online courses, practice exams, and official PMI resources, can make the preparation process more manageable. Investing time in quality study materials will help you grasp the nuances of Disciplined Agile and Scrum.
- Practice Exams: Taking practice exams is an excellent way to assess your readiness and get a feel for the types of questions you’ll encounter in the DASM exam. PMI provides sample questions and mock exams that can help you gauge your preparedness.
- Time and Dedication: The difficulty of the DASM exam also depends on how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in your preparation. Like any certification exam, it requires commitment and dedication to study the material thoroughly.
- Learning Style: Your personal learning style can influence how challenging you find the DASM exam. Some people learn best through reading and self-study, while others benefit more from hands-on experience or group discussions. Tailor your study approach to your learning preferences for better results.
- Exam Strategy: Having a clear strategy for the exam can mitigate its difficulty. This includes time management during the exam, understanding how to approach different question types, and remaining calm under pressure.
In summary, the difficulty of the DASM exam is subjective and depends on your background, training, study materials, practice, dedication, and learning style. While it’s not considered one of the most challenging Agile certifications, it still demands a solid understanding of Disciplined Agile principles and Scrum practices.
Let us know move on to how can you earn this certification –
How to earn the certification?
These are the steps to earn the badge and certification –
- Attend an instructor-led class or a self-paced online course.
- To receive your DASM exam invitation, complete the course. You will have 60 days to complete the examination (fee is included in tuition).
- You will receive your badge and certification after passing the exam.
- The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed at the end of that time.
These are some additional resources that you can refer to –
Practice tests
Mistakes are unavoidable, but they can be minimized. When it comes to exams, practice papers can greatly reduce mistakes. Furthermore, brain training is critical. Practice papers provide the simulation that the brain requires to become accustomed to the actual exam. Aside from knowledge, there are numerous factors that can influence your exam performance.
Online Community
Joining an Online Community is a great way to find out where you stand in the competition. Here, you can interact with your competitors, and keep yourself focused. This will give you the necessary exposure to take the exam, ensuring an increase in your expertise. This will not only help you prepare for the exam, but it will also help you clear your doubts. Furthermore, when a larger number of people are involved, the chances of resolving an issue improve dramatically. Furthermore, multiple points of view make the material more dynamic. These discussions broaden the scope of the studies.
Expert Corner
The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) certification is a valuable credential for individuals looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in Agile project management. While the difficulty of the DASM exam can vary from person to person, with the right preparation, anyone can successfully pass the exam.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve discussed the key components of the DASM certification, factors that influence the exam’s difficulty, and provided tips to help you pass. Remember that the journey to becoming a certified DASM is not just about passing the exam but also about gaining a comprehensive understanding of Disciplined Agile principles, Scrum practices, and their application in a real-world context. So, invest in your learning, and you’ll find that the DASM certification is a rewarding step in your Agile career.
