There has always been some opacity in the PMP vs. CSM certification in the project management domain. Over the years, many project management certifications have emerged, confusing aspiring project management professional, as to which is best suited for their career.
Every credential is important in its own right because it serves a specific purpose. So, it will be determined by an individual’s particular circumstances and career goals. Professionals are often curious about the PMP and CSM certifications, as they are among the most popular ones.
Scrum or PMP certification demonstrates the best choice to boost your career. Which option would you choose between them? What kind of training certification should you enroll in as well as what type of project management certification?
The blog examines PMP and Scrum certification differences and certification costs, including test fees.
Overview of PMP and CSM Certification.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a widely claimed certification that certifies a project manager’s experience based on his core competencies and skill set.
This certification is accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Certification is a professional certification awarded to the individual who has mastered the skills of managing the team, leading events, and delivering their targets by following the agile methodology of project management.
Differences between PMP and CSM
Let’s explore the difference between PMP and CSM, and also explore their characteristics and how they contribute to the success of project management.
| Features | CSM Certification | PMP Certification |
| Prerequisites | No specific educational qualification or experience is required. | Demands degree and professional experience. |
| Certification Body | Scrum Alliance | Project Management Institute (PMI) |
| Exam Pattern | MCQ pattern. 37/50 to be obtained to clear the exam. | 180 questions. 175 to be answered. |
| Exam Duration | 1 hour | 3 hours 50 minutes |
| Exam difficulty level | Easy to pass with guidance from a recognized institution. | Demands tedious practice and mock test attempts. |
| Who will benefit | Support executives, developers, and test engineers. | Managers with experience in handling the team. |
| What will you learn | Ability to implement agile methodology. | Train to utilize the PMBOK framework. |
| Focus | Scrum, Agile | Traditional |
| Method | Iterative, Incremental | Waterfall |
Exam details
To take the exam, both courses use an electronic mode with multiple-choice questions that have one question and four alternatives. Both tests are significantly different from each other.
PMP Exam Specifications
- The PMP exam is a 4-hour exam with 180 questions. 25 of 180 are not scored. However, you won’t know which 25 questions are unscored, until the exam is over. Make sure you answer them carefully.
- To pass the exam, one must score at least 141 out of 175. But the truth is that there is no fixed passing score for the PMP exam.
- PMI has introduced the Above Target, Target, Below Target, and Needs Improvement rating which are still in use on examination reports today.
CSM Exam Specifications
- The CSM test may be taken from any location (home or workplace) with a reliable internet connection. The candidate must answer 37 questions in one hour, with a 74% score to pass (37 out of 50 should be correct).
- The CSM test is simpler than the PMP exam. In addition, the exam allows you to pass and resume later. The majority of candidates aim to pass in the first attempt itself.
Examination fees and Certification Cost.
PMP Certification
The cost of taking the PMP certification exam depends on whether you are a PMI member or not.
- For PMI Members: USD 405
- For Non-Members: USD 555
The certification cost of anyone residing in the USA can cost around 1290 to 1800 USD.
CSM Certification
The cost of the CSM Certification training includes the exam fees of $100, so no additional payment is required for the exam.
The certification cost of anyone residing in the USA can be around 1000-1450 USD.
Conclusion
People pursuing different career paths must determine between CSM and PMP qualifications based on their selected career options. Although both CSM and PMP roles have small areas of shared impact areas they function under distinct project approaches.
If you aim to pursue traditional project management, PMP is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you prefer an Agile project management approach, CSM can be the right fit.
