Introduction
Planning a strategy, researching important subjects, and thoroughly studying are all necessary to ace any exam. Any employee would appreciate the accolades they would receive from passing the SAFe agilist test and receiving a Scaled Agile Certification.
This blog article will offer some advice on how to ace the test. You can also join a SAFe agilist course to stay ahead of the competition. But first, let’s define SAFe, SAFe agilist certification pattern, and its fundamental elements.
What is SAFe®?
Agile software development fundamentals are covered in the Safe Agilist exam. Those seeking Safe certification must pass it, administered by Scaled Agile, Inc. The test contains multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as scrum, estimates, and the roles and responsibilities of product owners.
You must be familiar with the fundamentals of agile software development to pass the Safe Agilist certification. Below are the prerequisites/ experience required for the exam. Make sure You hit every box before appearing for the exam.
Scrum:
One of the crucial subjects covered in the Safe Agilist test is scrum. A framework called Scrum assists teams in delivering a good or service. Its three constituent roles are product owner, development team, and scrum master. The product owner must specify what needs to be provided, the development team must deliver it, and the scrum master must ensure that everyone stays on course.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Product Owner:
As we already discussed, the product owner role is one of the most important components of the scrum. You must comprehend what the product owner does to pass the Safe Agilist exam. They are responsible for producing user stories, setting backlog item priorities, and managing stakeholders.
Estimation:
The Safe Agilist exam includes a section on estimation. Determining how long a task will take to complete is an estimation. Understanding the team’s capabilities and the product is necessary for proper estimation.
Principal Competencies:
- Scale Lean and Agile development in the workplace using SAFe®
- Apply the ideas of Lean-Agile thinking
- Plan and successfully implement Program Increments
- Utilize Agile Release Trains to carry out work and deliver value
- Lean-Agile budgeting helps you create an agile portfolio
SAFe® Agilist Certification and Examination Costs
The cost of SAFe Agilist Certification in India is between $690 and $750 plus GST and other applicable taxes from any registered training provider. Typically, people receive a 10 to 20% discount on the overall amount for SAFe Agile Certification.
The first attempt is covered as part of the registration fee if the exam is taken within 30 days of course completion. The fee for each retake is $50.
Exam Study Resources
Course Materials: The best SAFe® workbook is available here, and it covers both the theory and practice of SAFe®.
The PMP® Handbook from the Project Management Institute is comparable to the Exam Study Guide. No advice, just a rundown of how to study for the test and the subject matter the questions are drawn from.
Practice Test: According to the website of Scaled Agile, Inc., “Practice tests are used to measure the success of the certification exam and have certain questions in terms of numbers, difficulty level, and time.”
Example Questions: A digital copy of the paper-based, web-based sample questions, which are formatted like flashcards, may be found in the study guide.
The Result
The following are the privileges you’ll receive after passing the exam:
- SAFe® Agilist PDF Certificate of Completion
- A digital Certification as a SAFe® Agilist to showcase your success online.
- Access to the SA Community of Practice is included with a one-year membership to the SAFe® Community Platform
- Access to events and Meetup groups where you can network with other SAFe® certified professionals
- A variety of educational materials.
SAFe Agilist Examination Roadmap
- Ensure that you are well-versed in the Safe Agilist principles and practices first. You can brush up on your expertise by reading the pertinent literature or enrolling in an online course.
- Second, make a study schedule and follow it. Make some time each day to study, and be sure to cover all the topics that will be on the test.
- Third, take sample tests. You will become more accustomed to the exam’s format as a result.
- Last but not least, maintain your composure on the day of the exam. You prepared well, and you will be successful!
SAFe® Agilist Test Preparation Strategy
Given below are the critical steps you must follow to get ready for your examination:
Join the Class!
The two-day Leading SAFe® training consists of a mix of lessons and hands-on activities. It’s a must to learn the Scaled Agile framework to comprehend SAFe® fully and to pass the exam; hence learning it is essential.
Besides lectures, you may participate in a group exercise in class that simulates Program Increment (PI) Planning. PI Planning is a critical component of SAFe® because it is the “cadence-based, face-to-face event that functions as the centerpiece of the Agile Release Train, information about the 5 Whys (critical event analysis), and alignment of all the teams on the ART to a common purpose and vision.”
Research and Learn
Those who take the test often make the rookie mistake of assuming they are well prepared once they’ve taken the class. However, the best approach would be to go through the material again while the concept is still fresh in your mind.
Keep aside some time daily to run through the workbook and prepare for the test. It is a good idea to study portions of the curriculum daily rather than learn everything all simultaneously.
If at all feasible, get hold of a “study companion,” you can put each other to the test and teach one other.
Attempt the Test
Post course completion; you can access and sit in the exam virtually using the SAFe® Community Platform. Because this is a “closed book test,” no outside sources (such as the SAFe® webpage or practice content) or support is to be used while taking it. (NOTE: An honor system is followed, so there is no proctor.)
You must complete the exam within ninety minutes of its start time. You’ll see 45 questions on the screen with an average time allocation of two minutes per question. You are not necessary to answer each question within the two minutes allocated. However, because you are limited in time, keeping track of how much time you spend on each question is quite beneficial. Do not go beyond two minutes. If you’re unsure, you can return later or make the closest educated guess you can. Because the exam does not use negative marking, poorly answering the questions has no repercussions.
Exam Redo Procedures
You can take the test once more right after following your initial try (first retake). The third attempt cannot be made for ten days, and the fourth take is delayed by 30 days.
During standardized testing, the test administrator will typically make you wait an increasing amount of time. They do this because they think you still need time to get ready for the examination, and you aren’t quite there yet.
Continue Your Learning Process
Once certified, staying updated with your industry and the SAFe® fraternity is critical. You can achieve this by actively joining offline and online communities of practice, frequently brushing up on your knowledge and engaging in SAFe® executions.
Final Tips on How to Pass the SAFe® Test and Obtain Certification
You cannot simply show up for the Safe Agilist exam unprepared, i.e., without completing the SAFe agilist certification and hope to pass. The following advice will help you prepare for the Safe Agilist exam:
- Recognize the Safe Agilist exam’s format. The four divisions are the foundation, process, tools and techniques, and management. You must concentrate on your studies in accordance with the varying weights assigned to each part.
- Find a person who is taking the Safe Agilist exam to study with. You’ll be more motivated to study and stay on track if you do this.
- Utilize study tools like flashcards and practice exams. You might learn and remember the material better if you use these.
You’ll be well on your way to passing the Safe Agilist exam if you heed this advice.
Conclusion
Most importantly, stay calm and composed when it’s time to appear for the test. Follow all the instructions carefully and make yourself comfortable. SAFe Agilist exam being a closed book exam, you cannot take the help of SAFe agilist course material during the examination. So, make the best of your acquired knowledge and skills to crack the test.
FAQs
Q. How can I upgrade my SAFe 4 certification to SAFe 5?
Ans. There are two classifications.
- Upgrading to SAFe 5 Certified Member – Anyone with a SAFe 4 certification and an active SAFe Community membership will be able to take advantage of this upgrade path starting in January 2020.
- Upgrade to SAFe 5 Program Consultant – Anyone who is a Certified SAFe 4 Program Consultant and has a current SAFe Community membership will be able to take advantage of this upgrade path in December 2020.
Q. Is attending training prior to the exam required?
A: Yes, attending the agilist course before taking the exam is required to become a qualified SAFe® 5 Agilist.
Q. Will I receive Scrum Education Units (SEUs) and Professional Development Units (PDUs)?
For the PMP®, PgMP®, and PMI-ACP® certifications, attendees can apply for 15 PDUs toward their continuing education needs with the Project Management Institute® (PMI®).
Participants who qualify may apply for SEUs under category C to get or renew their CSP® Certification through Scrum Alliance®. It is, therefore, a win-win situation.
