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Becoming a SAFe Agilist (SA) in 2026 is one of the best ways to advance your Agile career and lead Lean-Agile transformation at scale. With enterprises adopting the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) at a rapid pace, organizations are actively hiring SAFe-certified professionals to drive team alignment, faster delivery, and business agility.
This SAFe Agilist exam preparation guide 2026 will help you understand:
- SAFe Agilist exam pattern & cost
- Best SAFe Agilist study tips
- Proven SAFe certification study plan
- How to pass the SAFe Agilist exam on your first attempt
- Sample practice questions & recommended resources
Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Manager, Agile Coach, Project Manager, or IT Leader — this guide is for you.
What Is the SAFe Agilist Certification?
The SAFe Agilist (SA) certification validates your understanding of the Scaled Agile Framework, Lean-Agile principles, and the ability to lead transformation in large organisations. It equips you with skills in leadership, Lean governance, PI Planning, and scaling Agile team practices.
Key Details:
| Criteria | Details |
| Exam Name | Leading SAFe® (SA) |
| Format | 45 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | ~35/45 (77%) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Proctored) |
| Certification Validity | 1 year (renewable) |
SAFe Agilist Exam Cost in 2026
The SAFe Agilist exam cost varies based on location and training provider, but typically includes:
- Training + Exam Voucher: ~$700 – $1,000 (USD)
- Renewal Fee: ~$100 – $150 yearly
Investing in this certification can significantly improve your earning potential and open doors to leadership roles in Agile environments.
How to Prepare for SAFe Agilist Exam (Step-by-Step Guide)
Attend an Authorized SAFe Training
You must register for a Leading SAFe® 6.0 workshop with an official SAFe Program Consultant (SPC). This provides:
- Exam voucher
- Study materials
- Digital workbook
- SAFe Community access
- Practice resources
Understand the SAFe House of Lean & 7 Core Competencies
Make sure you’re strong in:
- Lean-Agile Mindset
- Team & Technical Agility
- Agile Product Delivery
- Enterprise Solution Delivery
- Lean Portfolio Management
- Organizational Agility
- Continuous Learning Culture
SAFe Agilist Study Tips for 2026
Use the following SAFe Agilist exam preparation techniques to accelerate your learning:
| Study Tip | Why It Helps |
| Review SAFe Big Picture daily | Builds architecture understanding |
| Watch official SAFe videos | Reinforces Lean-Agile principles |
| Practice mock tests twice a week | Boosts speed & accuracy |
| Summarize topics in your own words | Improves memory & recall |
| Join SAFe study groups | Learn through discussion & doubt clearing |
14-Day SAFe Certification Study Plan
A simple, high-conversion SAFe certification study plan to follow:
Week 1 – Foundation
| Day | Focus |
| Day 1 | SAFe House of Lean & Agile Manifesto |
| Day 2 | SAFe Core Values & SAFe Principles |
| Day 3 | Organizational Agility + Lean Portfolio |
| Day 4 | Agile Release Train (ART) & roles |
| Day 5 | PI Planning simulation |
| Day 6 | Inspect & Adapt, DevOps culture |
| Day 7 | Take 1 full SAFe Agilist practice test |
Week 2 – Deep Dive & Practice
| Day | Focus |
| Day 8 | ART events, ceremonies & deliverables |
| Day 9 | Solution Train & value stream mapping |
| Day 10 | LPM decision making & governance |
| Day 11 | Agile product delivery & customer centricity |
| Day 12 | Lean Budgeting + WSJF prioritization |
| Day 13 | 2 practice tests + revision |
| Day 14 | Final mock test & exam readiness check |
SAFe Agilist Practice Test (Sample Questions)
Q1. Which leadership style best supports Lean-Agile teams?
A) Command & Control
B) Servant Leadership ??
C) Micromanagement
D) Hierarchical leadership
Q2. What is the primary goal of Inspect & Adapt (I&A)?
A) Celebrate project completion
B) Solve system-wide problems & improve PI outcomes ??
C) Approve budgets
D) Align leadership only
Q3. What role owns the Program Backlog?
A) Scrum Master
B) Release Train Engineer
C) Product Owner
D) Product Management ??
Q4. WSJF is used to:
A) Assign tasks to developers
B) Prioritize work for maximum economic value ??
C) Estimate sprint velocity
D) Allocate team roles
Q5. Which event aligns all teams on an ART?
A) PI Planning ??
B) Daily Standup
C) System Demo
D) Retrospective
How to Pass SAFe Agilist Exam on the First Attempt
Follow these winning strategies:
- Don’t memorize — understand the flow of value & decisions
- Focus more on Lean principles & PI Planning
- Learn ART roles, events & responsibilities clearly
- Target 80%+ in SAFe Agilist practice tests
- Study the SAFe Big Picture every day for 10 minutes
- Avoid rushing — pace yourself during the exam
Final Takeaway
Preparing for the SAFe Agilist exam in 2026 requires the right learning approach, quality resources, and consistent practice. With this guide, clear study plan, and practice questions, you can confidently pass the exam on your first attempt.
Becoming a SAFe Agilist is not just a certification — it’s a leadership upgrade.
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