SAFe exams are known to be hard to pass. The reason behind this is, that Scaled Agile wants to ensure its certified professionals are highly knowledgeable and well equipped with all skills needed to help scale Agile.
The Scaled Agile Framework® (SAFe®) is the world’s leading framework for business agility. It has been adopted by more than 20.000 enterprises across the world and more than 70% US Fortune 100 companies are now using SAFe trained professionals. Demand for SAFe certified professionals who bring credentials that demonstrate their ability to work is growing at an exponential rate. And that is why the value of holding a SAFe Certification is now greater than ever before.
Here are some tips to help you crack any SAFe exam.
Our tips to pass SAFe exam
Prepare before training.
Before the beginning of your chosen course, explore the course topics, review the recommended articles, read the digital workbook, and browse in detail the SAFe® Big Picture.
Be an active student.
SAFe trainings last anywhere from 2-4 days, depending on the course you chose. Although absorbing new information for approximately 8 hours for up to 4 consecutive days might be exhausting, try to be fully present during the course. Get enough sleep, keep hydrated and avoid any distractions. Keep in mind, instructors do provide enough breaks for attendees to rest and recharge. Also, be a good student and make notes. Instructors provide their students with plenty of information that isn’t in the workbook but can turn out be very useful – for the exam or in real life. If there’s something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask.
Connect with your peers.
Organizing a WhatsApp group might indeed be very helpful. Sharing new gained knowledge, studying tips and ideas might help you not only pass the exam, but also connect for your future projects.
Study the SAFe materials in depth.
After the course, we suggest going through course slides and all your notes. Mark topics that you don’t understand so you’ll know later which topic you should concentrate more on. Then access Your Learning Plan and download your study guide. Read it throughout and have a look at the links suggested. Some people like to start with topics they are less familiar with, some with the ‘easy’ ones, some like to follow the book order. Whatever works for you, do it.
Take the practice exam.
Once you’ve studied all the material – workbook, slides, notes, recommended articles – and you feel confident enough, take the practice test to assess where you stand. When you complete the test, you will see exactly which questions you answered wrong. This way you’ll know which topics you need to reread and clarify. You can retake the practice exam as many times you want, but don’t try to memorize all the answers. Take it as an assessment tool that gives you an overview of your weaknesses.
Don’t study alone.
Although some people prefer reading in silence, it is usually easier to learn, especially unknown and tougher topics, when studying in group. Ask your course peers if they’d like to discuss some topics together, try to apply your knowledge and new learned concepts to a real-world case (or a made up one) or try to explain the SAFe® Big Picture to your friend, coworker, or a family member. You know what Alfred Einstein said – If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. Additionally, you can also ask for explanations your coworkers or discuss the issues with someone from your company that works in a role you took the course for. Maybe he/she will also let you shadow him/her to allow you learn first-hand.
At last, take the SAFe exam.
After all the preparation that shouldn’t take more than a few weeks, it’s time to gather all the courage and take the SAFe exam. You’ve practiced the timing with the practice exam, so you’ll know approximately how much time you should spend on a question. Ensure you will have no distractions, good internet connection, water, and quiet space to take the exam. Read each question carefully and all the possible answers before you choose the correct one. When you are not sure which answer is correct, try to use the elimination method and focus on the remaining options. If you don’t understand the question fully, calm down. Take a deep breath and reread it slowly.
Be confident.
You’ve come a long way. You took the course, worked hard during the lessons, studied hard – you can do it! Sometimes though, we can overestimate our preparedness. In case you might fail the exam, don’t let it discourage you. Every time we fail, we learn, grow, and emerge stronger. Go through study material again, reread the topics you felt you didn’t understand fully, recharge and redo the exam. You’ve got this!
Scaled Agile tips
Upon signing up for any of the SAFe courses, you will receive an email from Scaled Agile with tips on how to prepare for your SAFe exam. Through SAFe Community Platform you will gain access to Your Learning Plan where you’ll be able to access your digital workbook with all the slides you’ll go through with your instructor during the course and study guide that provides links to the materials that are not included in the training course. These materials are accessible on Scaled Agile website, and it is very important you read them. Through Your Learning Plan you’ll also be able to access practice test with unlimited retakes and the real exam, of course. Your exam will be accessible for 30 days after the successful completion of your course. If you won’t be able to take the exam within 30 days, you will have option to purchase a retake.
