Scrum · Exam difficulty
Is the PAL I exam hard?
Short answer: fewer questions and more time than PSM I — but the answers are about mindset, not rules, which makes them harder to memorise.
Professional Agile Leadership I (PAL I) from Scrum.org is aimed at managers and leaders who support agile teams. It tests whether you understand how leadership behaviour enables — or blocks — agility.
The honest difficulty rating
Easy to moderate. The time pressure is low. The difficulty is that there's no single short document to memorise like the Scrum Guide: questions are about leadership choices, and several options often sound reasonable. Traditional command-and-control instincts lead straight to wrong answers.
The exam at a glance
- Questions: 36.
- Time: 60 minutes — well over a minute and a half per question.
- Passing score: 85% (31 correct).
- Question types: multiple choice, multiple answer.
- Cost: $200 per attempt, online.
- Validity: lifetime.
What actually trips people up
Managing vs. enabling
The right answer rarely involves a leader assigning work, setting team targets or approving decisions. It involves clarifying goals, removing organisational impediments and giving teams autonomy.
Measuring agility
Expect questions on Evidence-Based Management: current value, unrealised value, ability to innovate and time to market — not utilisation or velocity.
Organisational change
Scaling, structures and culture: why reorganising around value streams beats adding coordination layers.
Few questions, high stakes
With only 36 questions, each mistake costs almost 3%. Six wrong answers and you fail.
How long to study
One to two weeks. Read the Scrum Guide and the Evidence-Based Management Guide, then work through practice questions and the reasoning behind each answer.
How to know you're ready
When you consistently score 90% or more on practice exams. Start with our free PAL I practice questions.
Practice exams
Pass PAL I on the first try
Realistic practice exams for Professional Agile Leadership — every answer explained.
Get PAL I Practice Exams on Udemy →Full question banks on Udemy · free sample questions here need no signup
Common questions
Is PAL I hard?
Not very, but it's easy to underestimate. Six mistakes mean failing.
Who should take PAL I?
Managers, leaders and coaches who support agile teams.
Do I need PSM I first?
No, but Scrum knowledge helps a lot.
Does PAL I expire?
No. It's a lifetime certification.
