Scaled Agile SSM Practice Exam Questions & Answers

5 Free Questions · Last reviewed: August 31, 2026 · Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team

Exam Facts

Scaled Agile SSM Exam Details

Key details for this exam, checked against the published exam outline

92 Practice Questions (Our Bank)
90 minutes Exam Duration
33 out of 45 (73%) Passing Score
USD 165 Exam Fee (United States)
Exam Code
SSM
Full Name
SSM (6.0) - SAFe Scrum Master
Issuing Body
Scaled Agile
Question Format (Our Bank)
Multiple Choice
Delivery
Online proctored
Eligibility
Course completion required
Practice Questions

Free SSM Practice Questions

Each question shows the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right

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ValidExamDumps Editorial Team Every question and its answer is checked by our SSM exam preparation team, who also write the explanation shown with each one. How we research and review these pages

What is one way to ensure a team is holding successful Iteration Reviews and demos?

Correct Answer: A
Explanation

One way to ensure a team is holding successful iteration reviews and demos is to have the team demo working, tested system components that meet the definition of done (DoD). This shows the team's progress and value delivery, and allows them to receive feedback from the product owner and other stakeholders. The team should minimize the use of slides and the preparation time for the demos, and focus on the solution instead of the presentation. The team should also discuss the impact of the current solution on the nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) and identify any risks or impediments.

:

Iteration Review - Scaled Agile Framework

Exam Study Guide: SSM (6.0) - SAFe Scrum Master

What is one potential root cause of Team Sync anti-patterns?

Correct Answer: B
Explanation

According to the SAFe 6 Scrum Master documentation, one of the potential root causes of Team Sync anti-patterns is the lack of collective ownership. Collective ownership means that the team members share responsibility for the quality and delivery of the team's work. They collaborate, communicate, and coordinate their efforts to achieve the team goals. They also support each other, provide feedback, and resolve issues together.When there is a lack of collective ownership, team members may exhibit some of the following Team Sync anti-patterns1:

Reporting to managers (status meetings): Team members use the Team Sync as a way to report their progress to the SM/TC or other managers, rather than to synchronize with their peers. This can create a hierarchical and command-and-control culture, where team members are not empowered to self-organize and self-manage.

Monologues: Team members give long and detailed updates that are not relevant or useful to other team members. This can make the Team Sync boring, inefficient, and ineffective, as team members lose interest and attention.

Cross-functional team standups (updates are not related to other people's work): Team members work on different features or components that are not aligned with the team goals or the Iteration goals. This can result in silos, dependencies, and integration issues, as well as reduced collaboration and coordination.

''Nothing to report'' can be a good thing: Team members say they have nothing to report, either because they have not done any work, or because they do not want to share their work with the team. This can indicate a lack of transparency, trust, and accountability, as well as a missed opportunity to get feedback and support from the team.

To overcome these anti-patterns, the SM/TC should coach the team on the purpose and value of the Team Sync, and help them adopt the best practices for effective Team Syncs, such as2:

Having a clear agenda and timebox

Focusing on the team goals and the Iteration goals

Asking the three key questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Do I have any impediments?

Using visual aids, such as task boards or Kanban boards, to track progress and identify issues

Encouraging active participation, collaboration, and feedback

Ending with clear action items and follow-ups

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Scrum Master/Team Coach

Team Sync

Top 7 Anti Patterns of Scrum Master - Simpliaxis

Scrum Anti-Patterns Taxonomy | Scrum.org

[11 Daily Scrum Anti-Patterns We Commonly Hear from UsersIn ... - Geekbot

Team A wants to use the IP Iteration to continue their "usual work." What is one benefit the Scrum Master/Team Coach could share with the team about using the IP Iteration as intended?

Correct Answer: C
Explanation

Hackathons are one of the activities that can be done during the IP Iteration to foster innovation and learning. They allow the team members to work on whatever they want, with whomever they want, as long as the work reflects the mission of the company. The teams then demo their work to others at the end of the hackathon. Hackathons can help the team explore new ideas, technologies, and solutions that can benefit the business and the customers. They can also increase the team's engagement, creativity, and collaboration.Reference:Innovation and Planning Iteration - Scaled Agile Framework,Exam Study Guide: SSM (6.0) - SAFe Scrum Master

Which of the following events aligns teams on a train?

Correct Answer: C
Explanation

PI Planning is one of the events that aligns teams on a train. PI Planning is a cadence-based event for the entire Agile Release Train (ART) that aligns teams and stakeholders to a shared mission and vision. PI Planning provides an opportunity for the ART to review the business context and priorities, identify and resolve dependencies and risks, and commit to a realistic and achievable plan for the next Program Increment (PI).PI Planning is essential to SAFe: If you are not doing it, you are not doing SAFe1

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PI Planning - Scaled Agile Framework

Planning Interval (PI) - Scaled Agile Framework

Preparing for PI Planning | Checklist for Scrum Masters and Product ...

Scrum Master - Scaled Agile Framework

SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master Certification (SSM) Course - Vinsys

What is one aspect of the Scrum Master/Team Coach role as it relates to PI Planning?

Correct Answer: B
Explanation

During PI Planning, the Scrum Master/Team Coach (SM/TC) plays an important facilitative and support role. One key responsibility is to participate in the management review and problem-solving meeting that occurs midway through PI Planning.

This meeting allows leaders and Scrum Masters to review the teams' progress, resolve cross-team risks, address scope challenges, and ensure alignment before finalizing PI objectives. The Scrum Master's insights into team capacity, dependencies, and risks are crucial for ART-level decision-making.

From SAFe guidance:

''Scrum Masters participate in the management review and problem-solving session during PI Planning to help resolve issues that may prevent teams from meeting their objectives.''

Therefore, the correct answer is B. Participate in management review and problem-solving.

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Study Guide

What the Scaled Agile SSM Exam Covers

Exam domains verified against: Official Scaled Agile SSM exam guide, last checked August 2026.

Domain 1: Introducing Scrum in SAFe 22% - 28%

Master the fundamentals of how Scrum operates within the SAFe enterprise context. This covers basic Agile and Scrum concepts, the structure of Agile teams, what makes teams perform at a high level, the rhythm of team ceremonies, and the connection to DevOps and continuous delivery.

Domain 2: Defining the Scrum Master / Team Coach role 26% - 30%

Understand the personal qualities and practical responsibilities of an effective Scrum Master acting as team coach. Focus on servant leadership, how to develop Agile teams through coaching, and the specific ways a Scrum Master enables better team performance.

Domain 3: Supporting Team Events 17% - 21%

Learn to facilitate the core ceremonies that keep an Agile team functioning. Master iteration planning, daily synchronization, backlog refinement, review sessions, and retrospectives as opportunities to improve team delivery and collaboration.

Sample questions from this domain above: Q1Q2

Domain 4: Supporting ART Events 25% - 29%

Navigate the larger program-level events that coordinate multiple teams. Cover Program Increment planning, the Innovation and Planning iteration, and the Inspect and Adapt ceremony that drives continuous improvement across the Agile Release Train.

Sample questions from this domain above: Q3Q4Q5

FAQ

SSM Exam FAQ

Common questions about the exam itself

What background do I need to take the SSM exam?
You must complete an official SAFe Scrum Master course before you can sit the exam. The course teaches you the role of Scrum Master in a SAFe enterprise and you have 30 days after course completion to take the exam.
How hard is the SSM exam and what makes it challenging?
The exam tests scenario-based decision making where multiple answers sound reasonable but only one is correct. The hardest area is typically the Scrum Master role definition domain, which requires understanding servant leadership and when to coach versus when to let the team decide.
How long should I study to prepare for SSM?
Most candidates need one to three weeks of focused study after completing the two-day course, depending on their Agile experience. The exam is open-book and online, so you can reference materials during the test.
What is the passing score for the SSM exam?
You need to answer at least 33 out of 45 questions correctly to pass, which is 73%. There is no negative scoring so you should attempt every question even if you are unsure.
What happens on exam day for the SSM test?
You have 90 minutes to complete 45 multiple choice and multiple select questions from your laptop. The exam is proctored online and open-book, meaning you can search for answers, but you cannot receive help from anyone else.
Can I retake the SSM exam if I fail?
Yes, you can retake the exam. The first attempt is included with your course fee if taken within 30 days of completion. Additional attempts cost $50 each and can be purchased through the Scaled Agile payment platform.
How long is the SSM certification valid once I pass?
Scaled Agile does not publish a specific expiration date for the SSM certification in their standard documentation. You should check the official Scaled Agile certification policies for the current validity period and any renewal requirements.
What job role does the SSM certification prepare me for?
The SSM certification prepares you to work as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Agile Leader, or Release Train Engineer in organizations using SAFe. It demonstrates you can facilitate Agile teams within an Agile Release Train and coach them toward higher performance.
How does SSM fit into the broader SAFe certification track?
SSM is a foundational team-level certification. You can progress to Advanced Scrum Master (ASM) for deeper skills, or explore other SAFe roles like Product Owner (POPM), Agilist (SA), or Practice Consultant (SPC) depending on your career direction.