If you are well acquainted with the Scrum Structure, there will always be high chances of you being the preferred applicant among other applicants, as is the popular trend in the IT industry nowadays. It is not only beneficial but essential when it comes to the completion of complex projects. CSM® and PSM™ are two separate certifications you can attain to become a scrum master. And both of these certifications target the development of software and are both crucial while having their differences. If you are wondering whether to go for PSM™ certification or CSM®, here are a few key differences between both which may help you decide.
·Difficulty and Exam Pattern
Attaining a CSM certification in Reading is not very difficult and would only require you to take a 2-day training. You take a test and on passing you can get the certification immediately. To train for CSM® you can have your choice of the institute.
For PSM™ certification there’s a three-stage certification. You can choose to attend just the first stage but even that would require you a certain amount of precise understanding of the Scrum Network. However, with the help of the right PSM™ training online, it can easily be your cup of tea.
For the first and second stage of the examination of PSM™, there are multiple-choice answers, true/false questions, and MCQs.
·Passing Rank
The passing rank for CSM® is lower than for PSM™ and would require only the basest level of Scrum knowledge. For CSM® the passing percentage is 69% i.e. you’d need to answer 24 questions correctly out of 35. And for PSM™ the required passing percentage is it is 85%.
·License Renewal
Once you have a PSM™ certification you do not need a license renewal for the rest of your life. However, with a CSM® certification, you need to renew your license every two years with a renewal fee of 100$. However, the fee may differ depending on your specific institution. A CSM® certification remains only valid for two years.
·Getting the Certificate
Even attending CSM® training at an institute can qualify you for a CSM® certificate. However to attain a PSM™ certificate you’d need the help of a reputable institution to help you gain the needed knowledge. However, you can only get the certificate if you pass the required assessments and exams.
·Cost
While the cost for CSM® certification may vary with the varying institution, it usually ranges around 1500$. The cost for PSM™ certification is comparatively quite lower. PSM™ I certification will only cost you 150$. The PSM™ II and PSM™ III certification costs 250$ and 500$ respectively.
·Reliability
Since you can attain a CSM® certification from any institute, the training curriculum and content may not always be the same and equally worthwhile. However, the material for PSM™ certification does not vary much, making the certification more reliable.
A PSM™ certification will help you identify yourself as a Professional Scrum Master. However in spite of all these differences, both PSM™ and CSM® certifications are legitimate and are both important ways to becoming a Scrum Master.