Scrum Master Test

A scrum master test allows recruiters to assess whether a candidate has the skills and knowledge required to lead teams to follow the scrum framework during software development.

  • What is a scrum master test?

    A scrum master test empowers hiring managers to test candidates on a range of subject knowledge related to the scrum framework and agile principles.

    There are five events in agile scrum framework that a scrum master would be expected to manage and lead, which are: Sprint Planning; Daily Scrum; Sprint Review; Sprint Retrospective; and Sprint.

    Topics a scrum master might be an expert in include:

    • Running an effective scrum cycle
    • Planning a sprint
    • Improving team processes
    • Estimating times and prioritizing backlogs
    • Understanding technical debt
    • Building a great team
    • Using scrum in large organizations
    • Understanding organization challenges

    A scrum master (sometimes known as an agile coach) is a difficult role to hire for, as resumes and applications do not always provide enough insight into an applicant's qualities. Using a scrum master test helps provide insight into the core skills needed for the job and automatically compares this data with other candidates, allowing you to make bias-free shortlisting decisions.

    A high score in a scrum master test indicates that a candidate has the level of experience and skills needed to succeed.

About the Scrum Master Test

Scrum masters are an essential part of software development, coaching teams to follow best practices in agile process and teamwork. Although originally intended for software, scrum can also be used for non-software projects such as manufacturing, support, marketing or supply chain management.

The scrum master test can help recruiters make more effective hiring decisions during the early stages of hiring for scrum roles.

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  • Why should you use a scrum master test for recruiting?

    The scrum master test assesses a range of skills and competencies, centred on the five key events of the agile scrum framework (sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, sprint retrospective and the sprint itself). It is presented in the form of multiple-choice questions with approximately one minute to answer each question.

    From a recruitment perspective, it can be difficult to know if a scrum master will be able to successfully manage and lead your teams during the scrum, and even more challenging to know if they have the competencies required to succeed in the role.

    Using a scrum master test will help make the decision process easier, by allowing you to evaluate relevant skills a scrum master would require for the position. Recruiters can then use this data to rank the talent pool in order of the top-performing candidates.

    Additional job roles you might find the scrum master test relevant for include:

    Skills like leadership, communication, problem-solving and expert scrum knowledge are critical to assess how a scrum master will perform.

Picked Sample Report

View a sample report

Results for the Scrum Master Test along with other assessments the candidate takes will be compiled to produce a candidate report. The report is automatically generated and available both online and as a downloadable pdf so they can be shared with other team members and employees alike.

How our test assesses scrum master skills

Candidates will need to answer a range of questions that measure industry-specific technical skills where applicable (e.g. programming tests), soft skills (e.g. teamwork), aptitude (e.g. verbal reasoning) and relevant personality dimensions (e.g. team orientation). The results present a holistic view of how well suited each candidate is for the job at hand, using a data-driven approach.

The format varies by type of question, including multiple-choice for aptitude and technical skills, situational judgement for soft skills and agreement on a Likert scale for the personality dimensions. This approach ensures candidates are being assessed in an accurate and fair manner, and that results reflect the true underlying qualities of each candidate.

The characteristics, abilities and knowledge necessary to be a scrum master were identified using the US Department of Labor's comprehensive O*NET database. O*NET is the leading source of occupational information that is constantly updated by collecting data from employees in specific job roles.

During the development process, test questions were rigorously analysed to maximise reliability and validity in line with industry best practices. They were created by our team of I/O psychologists and psychometricians – who collaborated with subject-matter-experts – and field-tested with a representative sample of job applicants who have varying experience, just like you might find in a talent pool.

Each test is reviewed by a panel of individuals representing diverse backgrounds to check for any sensitivity, fairness, face validity and accessibility issues. This ensures each candidate has a fair chance of demonstrating their true level of expertise.

Our scrum master test is monitored to ensure it is up-to-date and optimised for performance.

Validated

Predictor of job success

Picked provides evidence-based recommendations for tests to use for over 750 jobs. Our recommendation engine leverages data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

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    All our Scrum Master tests are written by accredited psychologists and fully validated.

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    For all levels

    We offer Scrum Master tests for all levels so you can assess all roles within your organisation.

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    Our full array of candidate performance metrics will provide actionable data on each of your candidates.

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    Candidate comparison

    Simple, easy-to-use candidate comparison reports mean you don’t need to be a psychologist to interpret them.

“We used Picked as part of our Finance Graduate Scheme recruitment and it was just what we needed – really simple to send candidates the link to complete and clear to see how they all compared. And great value for money!”
Christina, HR Director, Cancer Research, UK
Christina, HR Director, Cancer Research, UK
Scrum Master Test expert

Written by a Scrum Master Test expert

Our team of assessment experts is made up of I/O psychologists and psychometricians who are dedicated to making all of our tests as reliable, valid and fair as possible. They strictly adhere to best practices in the industry and stay on top of the latest innovations to ensure job candidates’ unique profiles of characteristics, abilities and knowledge are being measured accurately while minimising bias. They leverage decades of research and advanced predictive analytics to build assessments that link to outcomes that matter, such as job performance, turnover, engagement, culture fit and more.

“Personality profiling allowed us to perform lookalike modelling of our most successful employees and use this as a blueprint for new hires.”
Nick, HR Operations, Airbus, Spain
Nick, HR Operations, Airbus, Spain

Scrum Master Test FAQs

Can I use this test to hire scrum freelancers or agency workers?

Yes. Whether you're hiring internally or outsourcing your scrum master, you can use this test to ensure the individual is competent enough to lead your team.

Should a scrum master be able to code?

The scrum master does not need prior coding or development experience to be successful. Of course, this depends on a company's role requirements – it may be considered an added benefit or nice to have.

Can I get a free trial?

Yes, simply sign up (no credit card is required) and we'll give you unlimited access for seven days. Create as many jobs and test as many candidates as you want; you won't be charged a penny.

What is the cost for Picked's scrum master test?

Picked offers monthly or annual subscriptions for businesses of all sizes, so choose one that best fits your needs. You can check out our subscription plans here.

“Focusing on data reduced the subjective decision making from our hiring process and allowed us to reduce bias and make better hiring decisions.”
Izzie, Head of HR, iZettle, Sweden
Izzie, Head of HR, iZettle, Sweden

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