Courses Here are the 5 important tips that will not only help you pass your SAFe Certification exam without stress but also help you scale your career multifold.
The Scaled Agile Framework certification is a starting point for individuals seeking to prove their mastery over Agile approaches at scale. Be it the SAFe Agilist Exam or a SAFe Scrum Master Exam, our guide will help you succeed in certification tests. Strategic preparation, practical preparation, and psychological readiness are indeed needed. But, for now, let’s take a look at the top 5 SAFe certification exam tips to help beat the odds.
What Are the Best Tips for Passing the SAFe Certification Exam?
The Scaled Agile Framework SAFe is one of the globally leading Frameworks trusted by companies when considering to scale Lean-Agile practices for achieving Business Agility. SAFe Certifications are very popular among professionals who want to enhance their skills, career progression and Salary increments. As per Credly Labour Market Insights, more than 6000 jobs in the US alone ask for SAFe experience and certification. To obtain SAFe certification, passing the exam is critical and that is where our tips will come handy.
Here are the 5 SAFe Certification Exam Tips:
1. Understand The Exam Structure
Getting the Exam Objectives and Structure: Simplistically putting it, the easiest way to pass any examination is to know its objectives and even why the examination is being conducted.
Each of the SAFe Certification has its own exam. We have detailed the exam structure for each SAFe Certification below.
Let us understand a few important points:
- Exam Objectives: Each course will be learned with effective SAFe principles, Lean-Agile specific mindset, Agile product delivery, and other related study materials in mind.
- Question Types: All SAFe 6 Certification Exams have Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). However, the number of MCQ questions and passing rates differ for each certificate exam.
- There is only one correct answer to each of the multiple-choice questions.
- Each Question can test you in terms of situational scenario-based and concept-checking questions. These questions in fact will not be ring-fenced within the theoretical domain only but will extend outside to practical application as well.
- All SAFe Certification Exams are timed and the timer is displayed at the top of the portal when answering the questions.
- You can mark a question in case you want to revisit the question after attempting all the questions.
How do I best prepare for the SAFe Certification Exam?
- Attend the live online SAFe Certification training with ValueX2 within which your SPC will guide you on exam passing tips and techniques.
- Use the SAFe study guide, course exercises and notes available via the SAFe Studio.
- Attempt the Practice test that can be accessed via the SAFe Studio. consider optimum time management and spend more time on tough ones and less time on simple ones.
How do I access the SAFe Certification Exam Practice Test?
As part of your training fees, you have access to a SAFe Certification Practice Test that can be accessed via your SAFe Studio Portal.
- To access the SAFe Practice Test log into SAFe Studio
- Then click Learn > My Learning in the top navigation menu
- Go to the In Progress sub-tab
- Select the Learning Plan tile which is the same as the name of the course
- Click on the blue launch buttons to guide you through the Learning Plan
- Find the Practice Test section and below you will find the practice test. Once your SPC instructor has confirmed your attendance, you will be able to launch the practice test.
- The format of the practice test reflects the same number of questions, level of difficulty, timebox, and domain areas as the exam
- You have unlimited attempts, so you can take the practice test as many times as you need to feel prepared for the actual exam.
- However, it is important to keep in mind that the practice test, while designed to be as close as possible to the real exam does not guarantee you will pass the final exam.
- Use the feedback from the Practice test to revisit those sections within the Student Workbook.
We have included a summary of the number of questions, time and passing score for all SAFe Certifications below for ease of access.
2. Master Key Concepts
The ‘SAFe Big Picture’ while preparing for a SAFe exam is the framework’s backbone. It depicts all the components and their interplay. Your ability to succeed in your SAFe certification will be greatly built upon your deep understanding of this critical framework and the roles
How to Use the SAFe Big Picture:
- Key takeaways/points to remember: ARTs (Agile Release Trains), PI planning, Scrum Master, Product Owner, and RTE roles.
- Application: Be prepared to answer questions that evaluate your capacity to explain how some specific role, event, or artefact fits into a broader SAFe context.
- Practice Navigating: Go to the SAFe website often to have a look at the Big Picture diagram and what is behind it.
Pro Tips:
- Make yourself comfortable with the Student Workbook
- Each SAFe Certification has an Exam Study Guide Provided as part of the SAFe Course Slides. These slides highlight what percentage of the exam will be made up of specific domains and chapters that cover those concepts. This can help you focus your efforts accordingly. We have included the SAFe Exam Study Guide for Leading SAFe Training with SAFe Agilist Certification below:
| Domain | Topics | Reference |
| Digital Age and Business Agility (12-14%) |
|
Lesson 1 |
| Lean – Agile Leaders (29-33%) |
|
Lesson 2 |
| Team and technical Agility (6-8%) |
|
Lesson 3 |
| Agile Product Delivery (29-33%) |
|
Lesson 4 |
| Lean Portfolio Management (12-14%) |
|
Lesson 5 |
| Leading in Change (6-8%) |
|
Lesson 6 |
(Source: ScaledAgile.com, subject to change)
3. Study The Right Material: Learn Smarter, Not Harder
This SAFe curriculum sometimes goes really deep and is full of challenges, so one gets a good deal after applying the right study techniques.
Practical Learning Strategies:
- Daily Concept Review: 1–2 hours daily Lean-Agile principles, core values of SAFe, and case studies.
- Mock Tests: SAFe Studio provides actual mock practice tests simulating the real test.
Focus on clarifying the concepts that you have got incorrect in the practice test.
- Group Discussions: Interact with fellow classmates from the SAFe course. Sharing insights and clearing doubts will strengthen your understanding.
- Active recall: Quiz yourself often about SAFe principles and terminology to support long-term retention.
Recommended Resources: SAFe Certification Training, SAFe Community Forums, SAFe Framework website
Examples of Books include: SAFe Distilled by Richard Knaster
ValueX2 also provides free Consultation with an SPC to clear doubts and improve chances of passing the exam in addition to real-life implementation. Contact us here for a free consultation.
4. Emphasis on Core Subjects
The SAFe certification exam is heavy on specific topics. Focusing your preparation in these areas will maximise your chances of success.
Priority Issues:
- Lean-Agile Leadership: Understand nuances of developing a Lean-Agile mindset across teams and organisations.
- Program Increment (PI): Master the mechanics and the value of PI Planning for successful value delivery.
- Continuous delivery pipeline: Understanding concepts such as DevOps, automation, and feedback loops in software development.
- SAFe Principles: Remember the 10 principles of SAFe, which will be used to answer situational questions.
Pro Tip:
- It is too easy to get lost in this ocean of material. Instead, focus on the topics associated with the SAFe study materials, and prioritise according to weightage.
5. Give Test-Day Confidence
Even the most prepared candidates can falter due to exam-day stress. Building confidence is as crucial as acquiring knowledge.
Strategies for Building Self-Esteem:
- Simulate Exam Conditions: Practice mock tests under timed conditions to reflect actual exam pressure.
- Plan Revision Timetable: Create a final revision plan that includes briefing notes and quick revision sheets.
- Sleep and Hydration: Try not to cram during nighttime; get sufficient sleep and hydrate.
- Positive Visualisation: Imagine success in the test. Well, confidence really does the thing.
What Should You Focus on During SAFe Certification Exam Preparation?
The SAFe course will give you the foundation you need, but here are some critical tips to crack the Leading SAFe Agilist exam:
- Break Down the SAFe Big Picture: SAFe’s big picture is a tool that illustrates how various teams, programs, and portfolios work collectively to generate value at scale. Realizing this is crucial to the exam. Learn about its roles, ceremonies, and levels of alignment.
- Focus on Key Frameworks: Learn the differences between SAFe for Lean and the other frameworks as Scrum and Kanban. Understand various project management risks and how the apply them when working on different projects.
- Use Learning Resources: You can obtain extensive knowledge about SAFe on ValueX2.com, the official SAFe website, books on Agile frameworks, and SAFe course materials.
- Keep Notes for Quick Revision: List ideas in points for final revision before the examination day.
- Complete the training provided by ValueX2 on time, and make sure you attend all of the live training sessions
- If in case you face any challenges you can always contact your live training instructor. Our team makes sure that we are available on a prompt basis.
- You’ll get access to SAFe Studio which will give you access to Interactive learning resources such as practice exams and quizzes, SAFe Framework updates, toolkits, templates and much more
- Every user also gets completely free lifetime access to the SAFe workbook which includes a comprehensive coverage of all of the topics which are required for you to get a SAFe 6.0 Certification. Plus you get hands-on exercise, guided notes and Venn diagrams for better understanding.
What are the Best Tips to follow during the SAFe Exam to pass the SAFe Certification Exam with confidence?
- Time Management: Focus on answering all the questions first during the exam as opposed to dwelling a lot on one question. You can always mark a question for future review. The SAFe exam platform, QuestionMark, makes skipping questions convenient because you can flag questions to return to later during the exam. Read the instructions at the start of the exam to understand how to flag.
- Do not delay: You have 30 days to complete the exam after your attendance is marked but do not wait so long as you will tend to forget what you have learnt in your live instructor-led SAFe Certification Training. Instead, give an exam when concepts and content are fresh.
- Read each question carefully: Do not force yourself to select a half-correct option. Try to think of the answer before attempting the question.
- Use the process of Elimination: Some of the Multiple Choice Questions are best answered by eliminating the options that you are confident are incorrect. This will help focus on the options that are close to each other and then select the correct one.
- Review before submitting: Navigating back and forth the questions is easy so review them before submitting but do not overthink and change the answer just because of a whim.
- Fresh Mind: Give the SAFe exam with a calm mind and at your best time.
SAFe Certification Exam Types
Knowing the categories of certifications that exist in the SAFe framework, alongside their different types of exams to pass, is very important in getting any SAFe certification. SAFe offers tailored certifications for various kinds of roles, knowledge levels, and needs in an organisation. Each Safe certification exam is customised so as to test your knowledge and application of Lean-Agile principles, SAFe’s practices, and methodologies.
Some of the very popular certifications together with their examinations are described below:
Who Should Give This Exam: For professionals looking to lead Agile transformations of large organisations.
Format of Exam: 45 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes.
Passing Grade: 77% (35 correct answers out of 45).
Focus Areas: Lean-Agile mindset; SAFe Big Picture; Agile Release Trains; and planning for Program Increment.
Preparation Tip: Read the case studies and analyse more practical examples of SAFe guidelines.
Who Should Give This Exam: Scrum Masters who coach Agile practices in a SAFe context.
Format of Exam: 45 multiple-choice questions. Time 90 minutes.
Passing Grade: 73% or 33 correct answers.
Focus Areas: Some of the areas to keep an eye on would be Scrum in SAFe, Team roles and Support for Agile delivery at the Programme level.
Preparation Tip: Contemplate how one can commit to memory the principles of Scrum, including which ones align to SAFe, based upon team dynamics and facilitation techniques.
Who Should Give This Exam: Product Owners and Managers drive value delivery in SAFe organisations.
Format of Exam: Total 45 MCQs, 90 minutes.
Passing Grade: 73% (33 correct answers).
Focus Areas: Lean portfolio management, agile product delivery, and backlog prioritisation.
Preparation Tip: Delve into product-centric practice and stakeholder management.
Who Should Give This Exam: Experienced Scrum Masters who want to master an enterprise position.
Format of Exam: 60 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes.
Passing Grade: 70% (42 correct answers).
Focus Areas: Cross-team collaboration, Kanban, and program-level leadership.
Preparation Tip: Learn about complex team dynamics and advanced coaching strategies.
Who Should Give This Exam: IT professionals who want to create a Continuous Delivery Pipeline and a DevOps culture.
Format of Exam: 45 multiple-choice questions. Duration- 90 minutes.
Passing Grade: 73% (33 good answers).
Focus Areas: DevOps practices, Continuous Exploration, Continuous Integration.
Preparation Tip: Learn how DevOps applies to SAFe and value adds to the delivery pipeline.
What is The SAFe Certification Exam Pattern?
The below table is a summary of the exam pattern for all the SAFe Certification Exams
| Leading SAFe with SAFe Agililist Certification | POPM (6.0) – SAFe® Product Owner/Product Manager | SSM (6.0) – SAFe® Scrum Master | SDP (6.0) – SAFe® DevOps Practitioner | SP (6.0) – SAFe® Practitioner – SAFe for Teams | LPM (6.0) – SAFe® Lean Portfolio Manager | SPC (6.0) – SAFe® Practice Consultant – Implementing SAFe | RTE (6.0) – SAFe® Release Train Engineer | ARCH (6.0) – SAFe® for Architects | APM (6.0) – SAFe® Agile Product Management | ||
| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 120 minutes | 120 minutes | 90 minutes | 120 minutes | |
| Number of Questions | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 60 | 60 | 45 | 60 | |
| Passing Score | 80% | 80% | 73% | 73% | 80% | 77% | 80% | 78% | 71% | 75% | |
| Delivery | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | Web-based Online vai SAFe Studio, closed book Exam | |
| Cost | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. | First attempt is included in the training fee. |
|
What is the SAFe Exam Retake Policy and Retake Fees?
The retake fee is $50 for all SAFe Exams except for Implementing SAFe which is $250.
The Retak Policy is as follows
- First retake – This may be taken immediately after the first failed attempt.
- Second retake – This may be taken 10 days after the first retake.
- Third retake – This may be taken 30 days after the second retake.
- All subsequent retakes require a 30-day wait.
What is the First SAFe Exam Window?
The first attempt at the SAFe Certification exam has to be taken within 30 days of course completion and after attendance has been marked. The cost of the first attempt is included in the training fees.
SAFe Certification Exam Insights
To achieve SAFe certification one requires a deeper understanding of the Agile concepts, with a clear strategy. This segment will give you our brief take on how you can proceed with your SAFe journey. Stay tuned for essential tips, exam-related insights and much more to clear the exam.
How do I access the SAFe Exam and Practice Tests?
After completing the course, you will receive a notification with instructions for accessing your exam. Log in to the SAFe platform to find your exam under the “Exams” section. To help you prepare, many providers offer practice tests. These practice tests mimic the real exam format and are an excellent tool for identifying areas for improvement.
When does my SAFe exam expire and how long do I have to give my SAFe certification exam?
You have a 30-day window to appear for your exam after your attendance has been confirmed by your instructor.
How can I get an extension for my SAFe Certification exam?
If the SAFe exam is taken within the 30-day window of course completion, your first exam attempt is included as part of the training fees.
If you are unable to take your exam within the 30-day window, you may still access the exam and can extend your exam deadline from your SAFe Studio account.
To make the one-time free extension you will need to wait until after your exam has expired, and then follow the instructions below:
- Login to SAFe Studio
- Select Learn > My Learning from the menu bar on the left.
- Select “In Progress”
- Select the course for the exam
- Towards the bottom of the learning plan, click the blue “Extend time 2 weeks” button next to the Exam.
- After selecting the extend button, you will need to agree to the terms of the extension. You will then have two weeks to complete the exam without charge. If you do not pass the exam or do not complete the exam in those two weeks, you will need to purchase a retake to re-access the exam.
If the launch button is still available, you will need to wait until the day after the exam expiration date to activate the extension. The two-week extension option is available for 30 days after the exam window closes. If you are outside of this window, an Exam Retake will need to be purchased in order to complete the exam.
For Example: If your exam originally expired on June 10th, you would have 30 days after that to claim the extension. This means you could claim the extension via the button mentioned above on July 10th, and your new expiration date would be July 24th.
Is SAFe an Open book or closed book exam?
SAFe exams are closed-book tests which basically means you cannot use external resources during the exam so usually we recommend this strategy. Our recommendation to every candidate who appears for the exam would be that you need to allocate one minute to every question. If you feel unsure about the answer, you can always flag it and review it later.
Why are SAFe Exams Timed?
This is one of the key aspects of Agile concepts that we observe how one uses Agile concepts under pressure, and how strong their intuitions are about real-world scenarios where timely decisions are critical. Each SAFe Certification exam is either 90 minutes or 120 minutes.
How are SAFe Exam Questions Created?
Most of the questions are curated by industry leaders to test your theoretical application and practical understanding of SAFe principles, which will help candidates to have comprehensive knowledge.
How are Pass Rates Determined?
The required passing rate for most of the exams is 80% but for a detailed guide visit our website for the specific course.
Ready to begin your SAFe journey?
ValueX2 offers comprehensive courses to help you prepare for the SAFe Certification Exam and other Agile certifications. Sign up today and take the first step toward becoming an Agile expert!
Can I take the SAFe Certification exam without taking the SAFe training?
The short answer is No. The only way you can access the exam is by actively participating in the Live, instructor-led training.
Why ValueX2?
ValueX2 provides the best SAFe course and training in every dimension of the SAFe framework.
- Top-notch Training: On the whole, whether one is an amateur or a professional with field experience, the curriculum caters to the needs of everyone.
- Expert Mentoring: Learn from certified SAFe Trainers with decades of hands-on experience working on Agile transformations.
- Real-life insights: Acquire the practical knowledge and case studies for acing situational questions in the SAFe Agilist Exam.
- Mock Tests and Resources: Seek resources for exclusive practice tests, comprehensive study guides, and interesting interactive sessions primarily intended to increase confidence.
- Safe Studio Support: Like-minded practitioners and experts will have access to be part of an innovative community, dedicated to continuous learning and networking.
ValueX2 has always aligned the curriculum with all the updates occurring in the SAFe framework since it is a SAFe Silver Partner. It means individuals are prepared to face any possible challenges that may arise in the exam.
FAQs
- How to pass the SAFe certification exam?
To pass, concentrate on the SAFe course training, work through practice tests, and the SAFe Student workbook.
- What is the format of the SAFe Exam?
It consists of multiple-choice questions and focuses on the SAFe Big Picture, Lean-Agile leadership, and examples of using SAFe in practice.
- Which certification is best for beginners?
The Leading SAFe Course is perfect for first-time learners as this course covers the foundational concepts of SAFe and gives the learners the essentials to take the Agilist exam.
- How hard is the SAFe exam?
With consistent preparation, the exam is manageable. Focus on understanding the principles behind different scaling agile frameworks and real-world applications.
- What are some tips to crack the Leading SAFe Agilist exam?
High-value topics are Lean-Agile leadership, and SAFe for Lean, and you must dedicate some time for practice exams to enhance time management. In addition, you must:
- Study PI Planning and its importance in SAFe
- Focus more on DevOps and Continuous Delivery Pipeline
- Review Lean Portfolio Management
- Understand Agile Release Trains and its role in delivering value
