Studying for the PHR Exam-Week One

This is intended to be a guide for those in the reading audience that are contemplating taking the Professional in Human Resources Certification Exam. I am currently preparing to take the PHR exam in January. I have been using many different resources to help me along the way, and I plan to write an article for each week detailing what I have studied, the resources I used, concerns about the test, etc. I am doing this, because I have not been able to find very much information on this subject in the places I have searched. There are a few specialized (and sometimes very costly) resources, but I want to give my perspective of the steps involved in preparing for the exam.

First, a little about the PHR exam. This exam is given by the Human Resources Certification Institute (www.hrci.org). A passing score on the exam signifies the applicant has a firm grasp of essential human resources concepts. The timed test is 225 questions long and is taken at a testing center on a computer. The HRCI says that the ideal candidate will have two years of HR experience, but I have little to none. I have decided to take the PHR exam to help me when I decide to apply for a new job. I graduated in May 2008 with a bachelor's in Human Resources Management, so I'm hoping that most of what I learned is still fresh on my mind. I've always liked a challenge; I'm just hoping I didn't bite off more than I can chew.

I am skipping over the tedious registration procedure for now. There is more than enough information about this on the HRCI website. I can come back to this at a later date if necessary.

I've always had trouble with procrastination. I spent many long nights in college finishing papers that were due within hours of their submissions. However, I have been looking at all of the information available on this exam, and there is no way that I can wait until the last minute and cram for it. I have to prepare a plan and follow it in order to have a remote chance of success.

Preparation

I researched available study methods and programs online, but the cheap ones still are several hundred dollars. I decided to go with a self-paced study with any resources I can get cheaply.

I kept one of my textbooks from my human resources management class in college, and after some digging, I dusted it off and had my first study resource. The book is "Human Resource Management" by Gary Dessler.

I checked around Amazon until I found a study guide that looked promising. It is called the "PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide" by Anne Bogardus. It was pretty cheap, and I needed a resource solely dedicated to the PHR exam, so I purchased it.

One day, out of the blue, I remembered that I had purchased a used book called the "HRCI Certification Guide." I believe it is an old version, which works okay, but there are some slight differences in the current exam makeup and the one depicted in this book. I got the book from the Society of Human Resources Management Web store (www.shrm.org) quite a while back. This book, while helpful, isn't really much of a study resource. However, as you will see in a minute, it did come in handy for me.

First Assessment

That's when I decided to take a step that was a little bolder (i.e. more expensive). I signed up for the practice tests that HRCI offers ($70.00 for two practice exams). I sat down one night, settled in, and took the first practice exam. I wanted to establish a baseline for my knowledge, and I also wanted to know which areas I needed the most work in. Well, after a grueling hour or two, I came up with a 66% composite score. My score was slightly below passing, but I'm confident that I can bring up my scores by the time January 24th rolls around. I plan to take the second practice assessment at least ten days before the PHR, so that I can make any last minute adjustments to my study schedule. My separate scores for the functional areas didn't help me to know where to focus my studies, because I scored about the same in each area.

Strategic Management makes up 12% of the exam. I scored a 67% on this section.

Workforce Planning and Employment makes up 26% of the exam. I scored 74% on this section.

Human Resources Development makes up 17% of the exam. I scored 77% on this section.

Total Rewards makes up 16% of the exam. I scored 58% on this section.

Employee and Labor Relations makes up 22% of the exam. I scored 50% on this section.

Risk Management makes up 7% of the exam. I scored 67% on this section.

Planning

After the test, I decided that a long-term study plan would be my best option for passing the PHR exam. In the HRCI Certification Guide, there is a small section about how to study for the test. They lay out a schedule/plan for if you have 8, 10, or 12 weeks to study. Because I was a little more than 12 weeks away when I decided to go for it, I went with the 12 week plan. It is listed below.

LIST PLAN-take into account the preparation week and when I will be finishing

Week One 11/2-11/8

Preparation, planning, and first assessment

Week Two 11/9-11/15

Workforce Planning and Employment (Part 1)

Week Three 11/16-11/22

Workforce Planning and Employment (Part 2)

Week Four 11/23-11/29

Human Resource Development

Week Five 11/30-12/6

Total Rewards (Part 1)

Week Six 12/7-12/16

Total Rewards (Part 2)

Week Seven 12/14-12/20

Labor Relations (Part 1)

Week Eight 12/21-12/27

Labor Relations (Part 2)

Week Nine 12/28-1/3

Risk Management

Week Ten 1/4-1/10

Practice, second assessment

Week Eleven

Refocus on any necessary topics

Week Twelve 1/18-1/24

Go over every available practice question at my disposal. Take PHR exam. Pass. Rejoice.

I am very excited about studying for the PHR exam. I believe that passing it will help me to prove to a prospective employer that I am a self-starter and a conscientious worker. I hope this guide helps anyone that decides to follow this route as well.