I thought it was easy, but boy was I wrong! Most importantly, I learnt that I cannot rely on just one learning resource. To pass SPHR exam was very challenging, as the knowledge encompasses a wide scope in the rigid details for HR Generalists. The 3 key success elements are strong in contents, having the right mindsets, and going through lots of test questions. I have 13 years work experience related to Human Resource Development specializing in Employee Engagement and Change Management. I decided to earn SPHR certification because I've just moved to America and would like to reassure my future clients that I have a well-rounded HR strategic knowledge to see through the business and human capital implications of process design and changes and its impacts under the U.S. Federal, State law, and Common law. Not considering the result "PASS" on the screen when I completed the exam, studying all "Six" functional areas is the rewarding experience –either you study for PHR or SPHR. It's because when you want to be great in HR profession, it's important that you can connect the dots of all bodies of knowledge – business strategies, workforce planning, HRD, Comp & Benefits, Employee Relations (Union), and Risk Management. Any employer will be lucky to have you as an HR professional for the company as you'll be able to deliver a reliable job and help the leaders manage human resources strategically by aligning HR planning to the business directions. Through my study process, I participated in the HR certification prep course at a local university in Chicago. The package was worth it as the course came with SHRM learning system (Texts and Online study program). The course costs about $1,075 ($100 discount as I am a SHRM member). Buying the SHRM learning system alone will cost about $870 for non-members or $695 for members. Being a member will cost you full price of $185 but when you register for newsletter with SHRM, SHRM will send you an email with Promotion code each month e.g. Black Friday Specials – you can save about $10-$15. Well, now as SHRM has launched their own certifications called SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP, I believe HR certification preparations might be a bit changed. However, I believe that the HR Core competencies will not deviate and once you have what it takes – you will be able to deal with any kind of questions in the exam! However, I am sure that if I had only relied on the course without taking another 3 weeks to dedicate on practicing and creating mind mapping of all important key topics, I would not have passed the exam. As I said earlier, 3 success elements for me are 1) strong in contents 2) having the right mindsets 3) going through lots of tests! 1) Strong in Contents Learning in a classroom helped me seeing through the perspectives from HR professionals in an action learning environment, but it covered only about 10%-15% of the exam – they skipped a lot of things that you need to know. After I completed the course, I spent 3 full weeks on self-study. I made a 25-day study plan on excel sheet – putting in the lists of tests that I wanted to go through each day and planned a buffer for recap. What's most effective for me, was that I made key summaries in diagrams e.g. Direct Compensation, Qualified and Non-qualified plans, Key Legislatives for labor relations, OD interventions, etc. I will attach some sample of my diagrams with this blog and if you have any questions, please feel free to write me a question. For SHRM learning system, the texts will give you the contents that are important to know but the questions in the exam will not be as direct as SHRM practice questions. SPHR exam shocked me at the first question and there is no such content in SHRM learning system. You must be strong in contents meaning you should be able to close your eyes and talk about the concepts and important notes of all key topics, for example, What are the laws that related to Union activities?…. When it comes to Wagner Act – it is about NLRA, then test yourself like.. NLRB is established for what purposes… and under secret ballot election, or under decertification/deauthorization conduct, how many votes needed to win the election? See my summary about Union law below as a reference 2) Have the Right Mindsets As the exam questions in the real exam will be worded in some kind of technical terms that you might not have experienced from the textbooks in SHRM learning system, you need to think outside the box sometimes. HRCI would like to test if you have a logical thinking that fits in HR professional or not. When you experience the question that you never see before, think as a professional HR practitioner - What's the right thing to do if I experience this situation? Here are the example of key concepts I believe they are always in the exam: HR planning (whether it's for workforce, training, or comp & benefits) must align with organizational goals. If you are going to use the service from external vendors (outsourcing or implementing HRIS), the first thing you need to know is "know what you need" = need analysis. Disciplinary actions need to be legal & ethical. Whatever you do, minimize legal risks and protect other employees by ensuring a safe workplace environment. Diversity management is to help enhance business performance not for affirmative actions or discriminations – don't be confused! ...and many more 3) Go through as many test questions as possible The more tests you do, the more you know your readiness for the exam. At the beginning, you might not need to time your tests because you use these tests to ensure that you understand all key topics thoroughly. You should take notes of all the questions that you are not sure about and review the contents in the texts or further research on the internet to make sure that you really understand the topics clearly. When you feel confident, you should TIME your tests. For me, I set 1 minute per question. Some questions, it might take you only 5 seconds but some questions may take you more than 1 minute. Make it real like you are in the exam room. For example, you are taking 100 question test today. Set the time for 1.40 hrs. Give yourself a break at Question # 50, but never put pause on the clock because in the real exam room – the clock never stops! Try the tests from different sources - some are free, some are not e.g. SHRM learning system, http://www.certgear.com/products/info/sphr.htm, http://www.phrexamprep.com/ProductSamples2.htm I personally love the Guessing strategies in test taking skills quiz (it will make you feel frustrated at first but it really does teach you how to make a guess strategically) + Billionaire games at the bottom of the list is a good entertaining practice!, http://www.testprepreview.com/phr_sphr_practice.htm, and for me – this is a must! http://www.hrci.org/exam-preparation/sample-exam-questions I bought one HRCI online assessment for $45 three days before the exam to test my readiness. Even though HRCI offers you two tests with discount, you take one test is enough. As I checked with the HRCI call center, SPHR test 2 is PHR level. I will not recommend that you do this HRCI online assessment one day before your exam because if the result comes out that you fail, you will feel panicky and you will have little time left to recap things that you missed. I will not recommend that you try the test long before your exam because at that time you are not ready yet and the result will not reflect your full capabilities. The last thing that I want to share is my direct experience at Prometric Testing Center. There were lots of exams happening at the testing center besides PHR and SPHR. I arrived 30 minutes earlier. After checking in, I got a key to my locker and waited for them to call out my name. They did not allow me to put on any outwear. If you have a sweater, you have to take it off. You may bring a pair of disposable ear plugs with you. At my testing center, they provided the headphone. In the exam room, the seating and computer screen was comfortable enough. Tips on utilizing exam applications - I planned to use the Strike-through feature with as many questions as possible, but after about 10 questions, I decided to drop it because it wasted so much time. The striking-through button was on the top right of the screen. When you want to use it you have to select the sentences or words and then click on that button. This strike-through feature will help you eliminate the answers that you are pretty sure that they are wrong. I would recommend that you use it when you mark the questions for review. For this purpose, you use the strike-through feature to help you quickly make a final decision when you come back for a review at the end of the exam. In the exam, timing is everything! I made use of the scratch paper to take notes for the questions that I wasn't sure about by putting the question number and the topic in. It's possible that the following questions will come with the clues to the previous questions, and when you experience that, you can check on your note quickly and go back to that question. On the last note is about taking a break, at question # 100, I decided to take a break for 5 minutes. When I returned to the exam room, I had to go through the security check process again. I had to wait in the line as there were two people before me. Then I had to sign the document, so the whole return-to-seat process took about 5 minutes at least. My break time ended up 10 minutes instead of 5 and I had another 75 questions waiting for me. It's best for you to make a good plan of what you will do in the real exam room. Taking Certification Exam is like a "Show Time!". There is only one chance in each window. You should have lots of rehearsal until you are ready to be on the stage, and when you experience unexpected events, you improvise! Before and after my exam, I helped my HR cert. classmate prepare for her PHR exam and she passed! I am so happy for her. You may check out the sample of key summaries that I made below, and if you have any questions, please feel free to drop your questions in this blog or contact me via my LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwansegal. I have designed the diagrams covering 11 key topics for PHR/SPHR exams, and if you would like to have a one-on-one tutoring or a small group tutoring with me, please let me know. "All the best for your PHR and SPHR exam" Some of the Compensation Key Summaries Some of the Business Strategy Key Summaries