Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) Examination Mock Test
Validate your foundational agile and Lean toolkit for tailored project delivery across Canadian organizations.
About the DASM exam
Overview of the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) Certification
The Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) credential, conferred by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and widely utilized across Canada's public and private sectors, equips practitioners with an adaptable, pragmatic approach to modern delivery. Unlike traditional frameworks that force teams into a rigid methodology, Disciplined Agile (DA) empowers leaders to customize their "Way of Working" (WoW) using a comprehensive toolkit of proven agile, Lean, and traditional techniques.
In the Canadian business landscape—from financial hubs in Toronto and Montreal to public service institutions in Ottawa and tech corridors in Vancouver—organizations frequently work in hybrid settings where out-of-the-box Scrum falls short. The DASM demonstrates that a project professional understands the trade-offs between predictive, iterative, and flow-based lifecycles, enabling them to lead cross-functional teams toward continuous improvement and business value.
Official Exam Syllabus and Knowledge Areas
The DASM exam tests candidate comprehension across foundational concepts and practical decision-making scenarios within the Disciplined Agile toolkit:
1. Disciplined Agile Mindset and Foundational Principles
- Principles, promises, and guidelines forming the DA mindset.
- Empathy for enterprise awareness and pragmatic execution over dogmatic adherence.
- Customer delight, context-sensitive agility, and long-term systemic optimization.
2. Agile and Lean Core Concepts and Techniques
- Foundational principles of Agile (Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming) and Lean (Value Stream Mapping, eliminating waste, pull systems).
- Iteration planning, daily coordination, retrospectives, and continuous backlog refinement.
- User stories, acceptance criteria, definition of done, and minimum business increments (MBIs).
3. Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD) Lifecycles
- Agile (Scrum-based) and Continuous Delivery: Agile lifecycles.
- Lean (Kanban-based) and Continuous Delivery: Lean lifecycles.
- Exploratory (Lean Startup) and Program (team-of-teams) lifecycles.
4. Choosing Your Way of Working (WoW)
- Analyzing contextual factors using the DA Team Radar.
- Navigating process goals, decision points, and trade-off options.
- Guided continuous improvement (GCI) loops and empirical experimentation.
5. Inception, Construction, and Transition Milestones
- Inception phase: Forming team identity, aligning initial scope, technical strategy, and release planning.
- Construction phase: Incremental value creation, quality assurance, automated validation, and technical debt management.
- Transition phase: Production deployment, readiness checklists, operational handoffs, and stakeholder sign-off.
6. Team Roles, Workspace, and Agile Governance
- Primary roles: Team Lead, Product Owner, Architecture Owner, Team Member, and Disciplined Agile Coach.
- Secondary/supporting roles: Specialist, Domain Expert, Technical Expert, and Independent Tester.
- Pragmatic risk-value lifecycle milestones and lightweight metrics.
Test Rules and Environment Guidelines
- Administration: The exam is administered online via Pearson VUE (online proctoring) or at Pearson VUE testing centres across Canada.
- Identification: Test-takers must provide one valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID featuring a clear signature (e.g., Canadian driver's licence or passport).
- Exam Security: For remote online testing, candidates must remain in a quiet, private room with an empty workspace. Webcams, microphones, and continuous screen sharing are strictly mandatory.
- Aids and Materials: This is a closed-book examination. No reference manuals, DA toolkits, personal notebooks, or external electronic devices are permitted.
- Absence of Breaks: The 90-minute examination runs continuously. Unscheduled breaks stop no timer and can trigger security reviews during remote proctoring.
Scoring Model and Evaluation
The DASM examination consists of 50 multiple-choice and multi-select questions. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete the test.
PMI evaluates candidate performance using psychometric standards. To pass the DASM, candidates must achieve a passing score equivalent to approximately 70% (evaluated across predefined proficiency bands). Scores are calculated instantly upon exam submission, delivering an immediate pass/fail verdict along with a diagnostic breakdown across core knowledge areas.
Expert Preparation Tips
- Adopt the Toolkit Viewpoint: Resist memorizing isolated rules. Focus on how process goals like "Form Team" or "Coordinate Activities" provide a curated menu of options with specific trade-offs.
- Understand Lifecycles Inside Out: Be able to immediately distinguish when to use the Agile lifecycle versus Lean, Continuous Delivery, or Exploratory lifecycles based on team maturity and delivery frequency.
- Learn the Primary DAD Roles: Understand the distinct balance between the Team Lead (facilitator), Product Owner (value driver), and Architecture Owner (technical integrity protector).
- Practice Guided Continuous Improvement: Study how PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycles are supercharged in DA to minimize the risk of failed workflow experiments.
- Take Timed Mock Tests: Reinforce your knowledge by taking realistic practice exams to hone question analysis under the 90-minute time constraint.
Test rules
- Candidates must present an unexpired, government-issued photo ID matching their PMI profile name.
- The exam is closed-book; no external materials, books, or web browsers are permitted.
- Proctored candidates must maintain an uncluttered desk with only one active monitor.
- No mobile phones, smartwatches, or recording devices are allowed within reach during the testing period.
- Candidates must remain fully visible on webcam throughout the entire 90-minute session.
- Leaving the camera view or talking aloud during the exam can result in immediate session revocation.
Score grading
Scored on a psychometric performance scale based on 50 questions; candidates generally need to achieve approximately 70% correct to pass. Results are displayed immediately upon submission.
Syllabus & chapters covered
FAQs
There are no formal agile prerequisites. Candidates must complete a 2-day instructor-led or on-demand DASM training course through a PMI Authorized Training Partner before receiving an exam voucher.
While CSM and PSM focus strictly on the Scrum framework, DASM teaches practitioners how to choose from multiple lifecycles (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Continuous Delivery) and tailor process goals to organizational context.
Candidates generally have 60 days from the date they receive their exam link or authorization to take the DASM examination.
Yes. PMI allows retakes within your 60-day testing window. A retake fee applies through your PMI certification portal.
Yes. Major Canadian banks, telecom providers, government departments, and consulting firms actively recognize PMI's Disciplined Agile credentials to bridge agile execution with enterprise realities.