Today, I finished writing out the Scrum Guide and began taking some assessment tests. Yeah, I wrote it out. It’s only 19 pages, and half of those pages aren’t even completely full with text. If you’re asking why, that answer is simple. I developed a fool proof method of study in college that I still use to this day. Hand writing information I want to learn is one way. Introducing new senses, such as touch, to your studies help reinforce what you are learning.
In college, I took notes during my lectures and then spent my free day, usually a Friday, to type up all of my notes. This method helped me commit what I needed to learn to memory. I’d then spend my free time playing MMORPGs while my then boyfriend lectured me on how I was likely going to fail out of school from playing games all day instead of studying. I graduated Magna Cum Laude.
While I was taking the Open Scrum Assessments, I had a pretty high entry, which I quickly maxxed out. Oh, four 100s in a row? I got this! High on my ego, crushing humility be dammed, I decided I was finally ready to sit for my Professional Scrum Master I certification.
I was not ready.
The Scrum Guide alone does not prepare you for the PSM1. I forgot that while it is great to believe in yourself, you also must remain humble. Otherwise, you find yourself opening your first try at the test, and, 3 questions in, suddenly feel you’re in over your head. Drowning.
In traditional Project Management, one of the final things you do at the end of your project is “Lessons Learnt”. My lesson here? You can never be too prepared. Take the time, know your material.
One positive I am taking away from the actual test that I was not getting with assessments, is that I now have a matrix that breaks down different subjects. This allows me to pinpoint my weaknesses. My original deadline to pass this certification is January 31st. Unfortunately, I’ve put off my MySQL bootcamp for two days in a row now, to push through completing this certification. However, now that I have better feedback, I can adjust, adapt, and conquer.
And this time I won’t miss becoming certified by one question.
hello_patsy 