Recruit candidates skilled in Scrum framework with the Scrum Master Test

The Mercer | Mettl Scrum Master Test assesses candidates' understanding of the Scrum framework and their capability to implement it in real-world scenarios. It also aids in identifying candidates who possess practical experience with Scrum. 

Importance of Scrum Masters

Scrum is a framework that helps teams organize their work to meet deadlines and achieve project goals efficiently. To ensure the framework is followed, companies depend on Scrum Master professionals who guide team members to stay focused and productive. Scrum Masters are essential in teaching employees how Scrum works, maintaining accountability, and resolving project conflicts. They also manage product backlogs to ensure tasks are prioritized effectively, keeping the workflow smooth. 

What is inside this Scrum Master Test?

The test consists of thirty multiple-choice questions to be completed within forty-five minutes. There are six questions with a basic difficulty level, fifteen with an intermediate difficulty level, and nine with a high difficulty level. Candidates with two to five years of experience are eligible for the test. 

What skills does the Scrum Master Test cover?

The Scrum Master Assessment includes the following competencies and skills: 

Scrum-   

• Scrum - Timeboxing   
• Scrum - Unmet goals   
• Scrum - Scrum principles   
• Scrum - Waterfall   
• Scrum - Kanban   
• Scrum - Sprint planning 

Agile   

• Agile - Principles   
• Agile - Project management   
• Agile - Methodologies   
• Agile - Continuous improvement   
• Agile - Framework 

What roles can you assess using the Scrum Master Test?

• Project manager   
• Product manager   
• Agile coach   
• Business analyst 

How does the Scrum Master Test help recruiters hire?

Without a Scrum Master, teams may face challenges like unclear responsibilities, inefficient workload management, and project delays that can impact the quality of results. The Scrum Master’s leadership and organizational skills are valuable across industries, as every team benefits from motivation and clear direction to produce their best work. To streamline the hiring process, recruiters can utilize the Mercer | Mettl Scrum Master Test to evaluate candidates' knowledge, skills, and leadership potential. These assessments help identify individuals well-versed in Scrum principles and equipped to inspire and lead teams effectively, ensuring project success and organizational growth. 

Sample questions and answers for the Scrum Master Test

A. In your Scrum team, there is a persistent issue where team members frequently bypass the Definition of Done to complete user stories quickly. This results in technical debt and lower product quality. The team argues that this is necessary to meet the Sprint goals. As a Scrum Master, how would you address this issue and maintain high product quality?   

1. Advise the team to continue bypassing the Definition of Done as it helps achieve Sprint goals.   

2. Suggest that the team strictly adhere to the Definition of Done, even if it means not completing some user stories within the Sprint.   

3. Allow the team to decide on the Definition of Done for each user story, giving them flexibility.   

4. Propose extending Sprint durations to accommodate quality and quantity of work.   

Correct answer: 2. Suggest that the team strictly adhere to the Definition of Done, even if it means not completing some user stories within the Sprint. 

B. The Scrum team needs help with communication and collaboration. Team members often work in silos, and there is a noticeable lack of cross-functional cooperation. Promoting a culture of openness and transparency could significantly improve the situation. What steps can you take to create a transparent and honest culture within the team?   

1. Implement strict reporting requirements for all team members to ensure transparency in daily work.   

2. Organize a team-building workshop to encourage collaboration and communication among team members.   

3. Hold individual meetings with each team member to identify the source of the communication issues.   

4. Facilitate regular team retrospectives where team members can openly discuss challenges and suggest improvements.   

Correct answer: 4. Facilitate regular team retrospectives where team members can openly discuss challenges and suggest improvements. 

C. In a Scrum project, you've noticed that team members frequently exceed their Sprint capacity, leading to a consistent backlog of unfinished work. You suspect that this overcommitment is causing burnout among team members. What would you do to improve the team's performance?   

1. Communicate the team's concerns to the product owner and suggest reducing the Sprint scope to match the team's capacity.   

2. Facilitate a discussion within the team about setting realistic Sprint goals and negotiate to refine the Sprint backlog with the product owner.   

3. Encourage the team to work longer hours to complete the committed Sprint backlog.   

4. Propose that the team extend the Sprint duration to provide more work completion time.   

Correct answer: 2. Facilitate a discussion within the team about setting realistic Sprint goals and negotiate to refine the Sprint backlog with the product owner.