HRCI Exams: What to Expect Rigorous. Independent. Recognized. Accredited.

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1 HRCI Exams: What to Expect Rigorous. Independent. Recognized. Accredited.

2 Agenda Put yourself first Explore exam content Make a study plan Use multiple resources Be a smart test-taker Get ready for test day Prepare for your results

3 Put Yourself First No two HR professionals are alike. Everything you do to prepare should be customized to fit you and your needs. What worked for someone else may not be right for you. Think about your: HR background What are your strengths and weaknesses? Preferred learning style Classroom? Self-study? Online? Study Group? Budget How much money can you spend on training and resources? Schedule How much time are you going to set aside to prepare?

4 The Choice is Yours The HR Certification Institute does not require or endorse any particular preparation method, product or organization to prepare for the aphr, PHR, SPHR, PHRca, GPHR, PHRi, or SPHRi. You don t HAVE to take a class or purchase preparation materials.

5 Explore Exam Content The Exam Content Outline is the foundation on which each certification exam is built. Each outline describes a complete set of concepts, tasks and knowledge required to successfully understand and perform HRrelated duties associated with the specific credentials that the HR Certification Institute offers. For the Exam Content Outline for your exam visit,

6 How to use the Exam Content Outline FUNCTIONAL AREA Each exam covers several large areas of HR. RESPONSIBILITIES Each functional area includes a list of HR tasks. KNOWLEDGE Each functional area also explains the HR knowledge you need to complete these tasks. The PHR/SPHR Exam Content Outline also contains a list of additional things HR people need to know in a core knowledge section at the end.

7 Example: PHR Content Outline FUNCTIONAL AREA O2: WORKFORCE PLANNING AND EMPLOYMENT (24%) RESPONSIBILITIES 05 Influence and establish criteria for hiring, retaining, and promoting based on job descriptions and required competencies. KNOWLEDGE OF: 12 Methods to assess past and future staffing effectiveness (for example: costs per hire, selection ratios, adverse impact) 13 Recruitment sources (for example: employee referral, social networking/social media) for targeting passive, semi-active and active candidates

8 How does your experience compare? For each responsibility statement ask yourself: Have I done this on the job? For each knowledge statement ask yourself: Do I know this topic well enough to teach someone else about it? Make a note of any responsibilities you have not held in practice or any areas of knowledge you need to gain.

9 Exam Format & Length Every exam has a set number of questions Most questions count toward your score. Some are pre-test questions that do not count but are used for test validation. Exams are timed, depending on credential. Range of 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. (Example: the PHR and SPHR are each 3 hours long with 175 questions.) Check the HRCI website for current information about each exam.

10 Types of Exam Questions Multiple choice: A, B, C, D with only one correct answer. Scenario: one situation with multiple questions based on that situation. Every scored question is worth the same number of points. To pass you need a scaled score of 500. There is no partial credit for any question. Unsuccessful candidates will not be able to see which questions they got right and wrong.

11 Make A Plan How Much Preparation Do You Need? It depends on how your HR expertise compares to the exam content outline. Most candidates spend more than 60 hours preparing. If you have little or no experience in one or more functional areas you will need to substitute learning for experience. If you want to take a class you will need to explore online and face-to-face options and plan your schedule accordingly.

12 Exam Study Tips SCHEDULE Assess how much of your time is already committed (such as to your job and to your family) and how much time you can realistically assign to study. Develop a schedule that builds in daily and weekly study time. PROGRESS Regularly check your study plan to make sure you are on track and adjust your study time if you need to. LEARNING STYLE For example, consider the time of day when you study more proactively. Also consider whether you learn best by yourself or in a group. ENVIRONMENT Set aside a place where you can keep your study materials and resources at hand and focus. HABITS If you tend to procrastinate, ask a friend or colleague to help keep you on track. Connect with fellow test takers on various social platforms. NOTE: Those who have earned an HRCI certification CANNOT share test content with you. WEAKEST AREAS OF HR KNOWLEDGE Identify them, plan to study them first, and consider using other resources.

13 How much time do you need to prepare? How many weeks until you test? How many functional areas are in the exam you selected? Divide the weeks by the functional areas. Example: 12 weeks and 6 functional areas = 2 weeks/area Do you feel more comfortable with some areas than others? Adjust the schedule so you spend the most time on your weakest areas. STICK TO YOUR PLAN!

14 How Do You Like to Learn? There are a variety of learning options depending on the certification you want to earn: Self-Study read books and articles. Online participate in a facilitated program. Classroom structure and the ability to ask questions. Study group share experience and knowledge with peers. How do you learn best? Reading? Listening? Doing? Choose a method that works for YOU not just because everyone else is doing it.

15 Learning vs. Memorizing HRCI exams require you to apply your knowledge and experience. [Exception the new aphr is knowledge-based.] Memorizing a few facts will not be enough to pass. Make sure you do not just study or cram. Be sure to truly learn what you do not know.

16 Use Multiple Resources EXAM CONTENT OUTLINES Review the Exam Content Outline for the exam you plan to take. The content includes the specific tasks and knowledge statements covered on the exam. Download the Exam Content Outlines free at hrci.org/eco. A GUIDE TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES BODY OF KNOWLEDGE A Guide to the Human Resource Body of Knowledge provides an overview of the HR profession and is used to describe what an HR professional needs to know and be able to do in that profession. While it is based on the PHR/SPHR Exam Content Outline, it is also a framework for the practice of HR that can provide useful information for many purposes. A helpful list of terms and definitions is included. Purchase the HR BoK at hrci.org/hrbok.

17 Exam Preparation Materials HRCI exams are based on generally accepted HR principles. There is no one preparation method that can meet every examinee's needs. View a range of options: HRCI Exam Preparation Provider Directory $125 Or choose to bundle exam prep when you purchase your exam. The HR Certification Institute (HRCI ) does not endorse any particular preparation program or offering. We encourage prospective certification holders to use a variety of resources that reflect their learning styles and needs. Purchasing a certification product is NOT required and HRCI does not guarantee that an individual will pass based on the purchase of a certification preparation product.

18 Be A Smart Test-Taker Test-Taking Tips Cover up the answers and read the question twice. Trust your first instinct. Try to strike out two answers as incorrect. Focus on generally accepted HR practices. Do not stop. Mark questions to review later. Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing. Review your exam. Make sure every question is answered. Do not rush. Pace yourself.

19 PHR Sample Question Knowledge/Comprehension Which of the following statements regarding any procedure that tends to screen out members of protected groups is correct? A. It is illegal. B. It is presumptively discriminatory. C. It is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of D. It is in violation of the 1991 Civil Rights Act.

20 PHR Sample Question Knowledge/Comprehension Which of the following statements regarding any procedure that tends to screen out members of protected groups is correct? A. It is illegal. B. It is presumptively discriminatory. C. It is in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of D. It is in violation of the 1991 Civil Rights Act. Answer: B

21 PHR Sample Question Application/Problem Solving If a candidate is recruited and hired through two professional employment agency contacts and both agencies claim the fee for the referral, what is the best approach to settling the claims? A. Pay the fee at 50 percent to each agency because both made the referral. B. Pay the full fee to each agency because both agencies referred the candidate. C. Recommend the two agencies negotiate the fee, because only one fee is to be paid. D. Examine the referral documents as to the dates referred and pay the fee to the agency whose referral was received first.

22 PHR Sample Question Application/Problem Solving If a candidate is recruited and hired through two professional employment agency contacts and both agencies claim the fee for the referral, what is the best approach to settling the claims? A. Pay the fee at 50 percent to each agency because both made the referral. B. Pay the full fee to each agency because both agencies referred the candidate. C. Recommend the two agencies negotiate the fee, because only one fee is to be paid. D. Examine the referral documents as to the dates referred and pay the fee to the agency whose referral was received first. Answer: D

23 How to Avoid Common Mistakes Read carefully. Sometimes a single word or phrase holds the key to the correct answer. Read every answer choice. They are all designed to catch your attention as possible answers. Do not introduce additional facts into the question. Do not say it depends or think about how you would handle the situation at your own company. Choose the BEST answer not the obvious one. Do not rely too much on practice exams. The exam questions will be different.

24 What if I am NOT Ready? Your test day is a week away and you do not feel ready. What should you do? Test anyway. You cannot postpone your exam or receive a full refund. If you do not pass you will at least understand the testing experience and have more information about your own results to guide your preparation next time.

25 Get Ready for Test Day Get plenty of rest the evening before your exam. Arrive early you may have to wait to check in. Lockers will be available for your belongings. Lots of people taking different types of tests. Distractions typing noise, people coming and going. Be sure you can see the timer and the number of questions left at the top of your screen.

26 Exam Day Tips Know Before You Go Arriving on Exam Day Familiarize yourself with Prometric exam interface. Plan your route to the testing center to arrive early. Check the Prometric website for emergency closures. Be prepared to present a government-issued, non-expired form of photo ID. You will be assigned a locker to store all personal items. For more information on exam day tips, please visit hrci.org/examdaytips.

27 Use the Built-in Tools CALCULATOR Click the calculator button to open this tool. MARK BUTTON On the bottom of every screen. Use this to return to a question later. STRIKE-OUT Cross out one or more options to narrow your choices.. HIGHLIGHT TOOL If certain words or phrases are really important you can highlight them. REVIEW Before you end the exam look at all marked questions. Make sure every question has been answered. Read the tutorial screens carefully!

28 Getting Through the Testing Experience Consider testing on a weekday for less crowds. Do not wait until the last day of the testing window. Pick a testing time of day when you are most alert. Eat a light meal and drink water before you test. Take a break if needed but know that the clock will not stop. Room temperatures change, so dress for your needs. The testing facility will provide you with any materials you need such as scrap paper, pens and pencils.

29 Prepare for your Results End of exam survey please take three minutes to respond. Remember that these are rigorous exams. Pass rates range from 47-76% depending on exam. Preliminary results will appear on the screen. The proctor will print that page and give it to you. You will be alerted by when your official results are ready to view. (Approximately 1-2 weeks)

30 Getting Your Results If you do pass, get ready to celebrate! Tell family and friends when you leave the testing center. BUT wait for official confirmation from HRCI before telling the world. Once you have official confirmation: Tell your employer (and update your personnel records). Download your digital badge. Update your LinkedIn profile. Announce your success on social media. Get new business cards. Display your certificate proudly!

31 Set Yourself Up for Success Select the right exam based on your experience. Take the exam at the right point in your HR career. Do not assume that your number of years in HR directly equates to knowing everything the exam could cover. Diversify your preparation tools. Remember, it all begins with YOU!

32 Questions?

33 Contact HRCI Today! Website: Phone: Toll-Free: HRCI is also available on social channels: