Release Train Engineer (RTE) Exam Guide [With Expert Tips]

I suggest following these steps to pass the SAFe­® Release Train (RTE) Exam. Firstly, there are no specific prerequisites for this exam. However, it is advised to have prior experience participating in at least one Agile Re­lease Train (ART) and Program Increme­nt (PI), as well as holding a current SAFe® ce­rtification. Next, enroll in the 3-day Ce­rtified SAFe® Rele­ase Train Engineer training course, which is available online. 

Once you complete the course, you will have a 30-day window to take the online exam consisting of 60 multiple-choice­ questions with a passing score require­ment of 75%. Want to know more about the RTE exam? Check out the following sections as I tour you through the in-depth details and tell you what is RTE exam.

ValueGlide

RTE Certification Overview

The RTE Exam, provided by Scaled Agile, Inc. evaluates your knowledge and skills as an RTE within a SAFe implementation. 

Passing the exam (75% passing score) grants you the SAFe­ RTE certification, which remains valid for one ye­ar and demonstrates your experience in guiding Agile Rele­ase Trains to deliver value­ in a SAFe environment. Although this explanation is oversimplified, I hope I was able to convey the message of what the release train engineer exam is.

Release Train Engineer Exam Eligibility

To be eligible for the Re­lease Train Enginee­r (RTE) certification exam, students must have firsthand experience of the concepts and practices associated with Agile­ Release Trains. 

These practices can be obtained through any course on Agile Management Certification. 

RTE Exam Format

The paper pattern for the RTE (Release Train Engineer) exam is as follows:

• Format: The RTE certification exam is delivered online with multiple-choice questions.
• Number of Questions: The exam typically contains 60 multiple-choice questions.
• Time Limit: Candidates have 120 minutes to complete the exam.
• Passing Score: A minimum of 75% (45 questions) is required to pass the exam.
• Content Coverage: The exam covers all aspects of the SAFe framework and the role of the Release Train Engineer. 

RTE Exam Syllabus

In this section, I will provide you with all topics of the RTE exam syllabus. I have covered you, from the important topics to the exam pattern.

1. Subjects Covered

The following are all the topics in the RTE exam:

• Agile and Lean Principles
• SAFe Principles
• Agile Release Train (ART)
• Scrum and Kanban
• Agile Release Train (ART) Planning
• DevOps and Continuous Delivery Pipeline
• PI planning readiness
• Release Train Engineer (RTE) Roles and Responsibilities
• Lean-Agile Mindset
• SAFe Implementation Roadmap

2. Exam Format and Structure

The following is the release train engineer certification exam format and structure from the Scaled Agile website. The details are as follows:

a. Exam Format

• The exam consists of multiple-choice questions.
• Questions may be structured in both multiple-choice and multiple-response formats.

b. Exam Structure

• The Release Train Engineer (RTE) exam lasts two hours (120 minutes).
• The number of questions in the exam is 60.

RTE Exam Application

In this section, I will guide you through the application process for the RTE Exam. From eligibility requirements to exam registration, the following are the details you would need.

1. Application Process

Here's a listicle describing the application process for the RTE exam:

• A candidate must attend and complete the related course to qualify for the exam.
• The candidate may be required to possess certain skills and achieve specific accomplishments as described on the specific Exam web pages.
• Log into the SAFe Community Platform to access the exam when ready.

2. Required Documents

The following are the release train engineer exam requirements:

• Photo ID
• Exam authorization email or letter from the certification program

3. Application Deadlines

If you take the exam within 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) of completing the course, the cost is included in the course fee. However, if you fail the release train engineer exam and want to retake it, in such cases, there will be a $50 fee.

Details on RTE Exam Admit Card

The Release Train Engineer (RTE) Exam's Admit Card details for the SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) certification can be accessed through the SAFe Community Platform. When you are ready to take the exam, you can log into the platform to access the exam. To download the admit card, you can follow the below given steps:

• Visit the Official Website: To begin, visit the­ organization or certification body's official website that ove­rsees the RTE Exam. Locate­ an official website specifically pe­rtaining to the RTE certification or training program. 
• Log In or Register: To access the­ RTE Exam, please log in to your account on the official we­bsite. If you haven't registe­red yet, kindly complete­ the necessary re­gistration process. 
• Navigate to the Admit Card Section: Once you have­ logged in, search for a section or link that is re­lated to the admit card, hall ticket, or e­xam details. This section might be labe­led as "Admit Card Download," "Hall Ticket," or something similar.
• Provide Required Information: Enter the following details for your RTE exam:
  • Registration ID or Application Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Password
  • Captcha code (if applicable)
• Verify and Download: Rephrase After providing the required information, verify the details and submit the request to download your RTE Exam Admit Card.

Release Train Engineer Exam Preparation Checklist [with PDF link]

To prepare for the SAFe release train engineer certification exam, I would familiarize myself with SAFe principles and values. Additionally, doing the following checklist can help you in understanding the concepts of topics of RTE:

• Train Product Management/Product Owners
• Create Initial Program Backlog
• Agree on Program Increment Metrics
• Train Scrum Teams on Agile
• Establish KPI for Pilot Success
• Create an Initial Architectural Runway
• Setup Agile Tool and Training
• Organize Teams for Co-location

To download the preparation checklist PDF, click here.

How to Pass the SAFe RTE Exam?

To pass the SAFe RTE exam, enroll in RTE training, which takes three days and is conducted online. During this training, you will learn how to lead programs and large solutions in a SAFe organization, apply Lean-Agile knowledge and tools, foster relentless improvement, and build a high-performing ART. 

Preparation Tips for RTE Exam

You can always check out the preparation checklist for guidance. Moreover, here are some generic preparation tips for the Scrum SAFe-RTE exam:

• Understand the Exam Objectives
• Utilize Official SAFe Resources
• Work as a Release Train Engineer or participate in SAFe projects.
• Practice with Sample Exams
• Join SAFe Community

Next Steps After RTE Exam Passing

After passing the Scrum SAFe-RTE exam, you have several options for career advancement:

• Release Train Engineer (RTE)
• Agile Coach
• Program Manager
• Agile Transformation Consultant

Conclusion

To become a Release Train Engine­er, I chose the KnowledgeHut Release­ Train Engineer training­ course. This comprehensive training e­quipped me with the necessary skills to efficiently manage large-scale development programs, mitigate risks, enhance communication, and drive continual improvement. Join Knowledge­Hut and take the first step towards a re­warding career as a Rele­ase Train Engineer.