Beginner Agile & Scrum test (Beginner)

Sample questions

5 sample questions from the Beginner Agile & Scrum test, with the answers. Samples are taken out of the live test, so you will not meet these when you sit it.

1. How long is the Daily Scrum timeboxed for?

   1. 15 minutes
   2. 2 hours
   3. 30 minutes
   4. 1 hour

   Answer: A. 15 minutes

   The Daily Scrum is a timeboxed event that lasts no more than 15 minutes. It is designed to be a brief, focused meeting where team members share progress and adjust the plan for the Sprint. This time limit ensures that the meeting remains efficient and does not become a status report to managers.

2. In a Scrum project, a new Scrum Master is hired to help the team improve their Scrum practices. During the Daily Scrum, the team starts going over tasks and discussions take longer than the 15-minute timebox. What should the Scrum Master do?

   1. The Scrum Master should facilitate the Daily Scrum and ensure it stays within the 15-minute timebox.
   2. The Scrum Master should act as the team's leader and make all decisions for the Developers.
   3. The Scrum Master should dictate the team's workflow and ensure all tasks are completed on time.
   4. The Scrum Master should assign tasks to Developers during the Sprint Planning event.

   Answer: A. The Scrum Master should facilitate the Daily Scrum and ensure it stays within the 15-minute timebox.

   The Scrum Master's role is to facilitate Scrum events, including the Daily Scrum, and ensure they adhere to the timebox. The Daily Scrum is a 15-minute event where Developers inspect progress and adapt the plan, and the Scrum Master ensures it stays on track. Other options are incorrect because the Scrum Master does not assign tasks, does not act as a team leader, and does not dictate the team's workflow.

3. Which Agile Manifesto value emphasizes the importance of working closely with customers rather than relying on rigid contracts?

   1. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
   2. Responding to change over following a plan
   3. Working software over comprehensive documentation
   4. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

   Answer: A. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation

   The Agile Manifesto values 'customer collaboration over contract negotiation' as one of its four core values. This emphasizes the importance of working closely with customers to understand their needs and adapt to changes, rather than relying on rigid contracts. This value is central to Agile and Scrum practices, as it promotes flexibility and continuous improvement.

4. Which of the following best describes how self-organizing teams behave in Agile and Scrum?

   1. Self-organizing teams rely on detailed instructions from the Product Owner for every task.
   2. Self-organizing teams are managed by the Scrum Master to ensure productivity.
   3. Self-organizing teams are only responsible for writing code and not for planning or decision-making.
   4. Self-organizing teams make decisions about how to achieve the goals without needing external direction.

   Answer: D. Self-organizing teams make decisions about how to achieve the goals without needing external direction.

   Self-organizing teams are a core Agile Manifesto value. They are empowered to make decisions about how to achieve the goals of the Sprint without needing direction from external sources. This fosters ownership, collaboration, and adaptability, which are key to Agile principles. Other options misrepresent the nature of self-organizing teams or confuse them with other Agile concepts.

5. According to the Scrum Guide, who has the authority to cancel a Sprint?

   1. The Scrum Master
   2. The Product Owner
   3. The Developers
   4. The Project Manager

   Answer: B. The Product Owner

   The Product Owner is the only person who can cancel a Sprint, as per the Scrum Guide. This is because the Product Owner is accountable for ensuring that the work done by the Scrum Team maximises product value and aligns with the Product Goal. Other roles, such as the Scrum Master or Developers, do not have the authority to cancel a Sprint.