Scrum Master vs Product Owner Exam: What's Different?

Accountabilities the exams reward

Scrum Master exams emphasize facilitation, coaching, and removing impediments. Product Owner exams emphasize value maximization, ordering the Product Backlog, and stakeholder alignment.

Both test Scrum Guide fundamentals, but the scoring favors different instincts: enabling flow versus maximizing value.

Typical scenario patterns

Expect scenario questions that test application, not definitions. The role perspective is the key to the correct answer.

• Who can change the Sprint Backlog and when
• How to respond when the Daily Scrum becomes a status report
• What to do when stakeholders request mid-sprint changes
• How a Scrum Master coaches without taking ownership from Developers
• How a Product Owner decides what to order first

How to choose your focus (Scrum Master first?)

If you facilitate events, coach teams, and remove impediments, start with Scrum Master. If you own value decisions and backlog ordering, Product Owner is a better first step.

If you want a broad Scrum baseline before specializing, a Scrum Master exam can be a solid foundation.