CSM Scrum Events Practice Question
A Scrum Team is preparing for its first Sprint and the Scrum Master is explaining the timebox for Sprint Planning. The upcoming Sprint will last one month. According to the Scrum Guide, what is the maximum timebox for Sprint Planning in this situation?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming the timebox is a fixed duration that must be used in full rather than a maximum that scales with Sprint length.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Eight hours
Sprint Planning is timeboxed to a maximum of eight hours for a one-month Sprint. For shorter Sprints, the event is usually shorter. The timebox ensures the team focuses on creating a usable plan without over-investing in planning, while still allowing enough time to define the Sprint Goal and select the necessary Product Backlog items.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Two hours
Why it's wrong here
Two hours is far too short for a one-month Sprint Planning event. The Scrum Guide does not define a two-hour timebox for Sprint Planning at any Sprint length. A two-hour limit would likely prevent the team from adequately crafting a Sprint Goal, selecting Product Backlog items, and creating a plan.
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Four hours
Why it's wrong here
Four hours is half of the correct maximum for a one-month Sprint. While some teams may naturally complete Sprint Planning in four hours, the Scrum Guide explicitly allows up to eight hours for a one-month Sprint. Using four hours as a hard limit would unnecessarily constrain the team and is not the prescribed timebox.
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One day
Why it's wrong here
One day is not a timebox defined in the Scrum Guide for Sprint Planning. The maximum timebox scales with Sprint length, capped at eight hours for a one-month Sprint. Allowing a full day would blur the boundary between planning and the Sprint itself and is not consistent with Scrum's timeboxing principles.
- ✓
Eight hours
Why this is correct
For a one-month Sprint, the Scrum Guide sets the maximum timebox for Sprint Planning at eight hours. This is the longest event in Scrum and reflects the importance of aligning on the Sprint Goal and the work needed to achieve it. The timebox is a maximum, not a target, so the team may finish sooner if the plan is ready.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Scrum Alliance exam blueprint
This CSM practice question is part of Courseiva's free Scrum Alliance certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CSM exam.