Any advice on passing the SHRM exam the first time around?

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The practice tests were very important in helping me answer the situational questions. Give yourself enough time to study and pace yourself so that at least two days before the exam you just have to do some light reviewing at most.

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Even though I am a Canada and did the CHRL exams, i think giving your self time to practice as many practice questions always helps. I posted on LinkedIn and got some others who were writing around same time to come together with me to form a study good. We will read by ourselves at the workdays and come on zoom on Saturdays to practice questions. Everyone insights on topics really helped. I was literally hearing pple voices in my head on the actual day of the tests. It was a game changer for me

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I’d love to know as well

I used HR jetpack. Highly recommend!

It's a prep class. https://www.hrjetpack.com/

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Purchased books off Amazon and studied for three months solo. Passed on my first try.

The practice tests on the HRCI site were limited in my opinion. Once you go through it a few times you start to memorize the answers so it becomes ineffective after a month of studying. In addition to books, also download apps so you’ll keep getting new questions/scenarios. Just search SPHR is your App Store.

Having been in HR for so long, a good tip I used was thinking through each question/scenario and responding how the text would expect a HR professional to handle it, not necessarily how I would actually handle things in day to day work life. If that makes sense. There will be more than one way to handle a scenario, the “correct” response is the what they deem as the “best” way to handle the scenario. So read each answer carefully.

Good luck!

Kinda went back to the basics and made flash cards for areas that were applicable. Helped me a bunch. Also, learning through stories kept me committing principles to memory.

Dedicating the time to study is the most important part. I spent 3 months studying every night and weekend after I finished the SHRM class. If I did it again I would just do self led study. Read the text books through and through like a Harry Potter book lol. And use the situational judgement models. Huge huge part of the exam.

I echo everything already said. You want to answer as SHRM would want you to answer, not how you would in your company, not how your boss would, etc. Once you figure out the “SHRM way” the correct answer becomes very obvious (i.e., answers where you’re required to think strategically, be data driven, & partner with others). I also recommend checking out some Reddit boards from those who’ve taken and passed. A lot of great tips there! I procrastinated and didn’t really study until about 8 weeks prior and passed.

You need to put in the effort and time. You also need to find the right materials. Practical exercises and flashcards are helpful too.

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