Increasing Your Chances of Passing the PHR /SPHR Exam Dr. Ed Sherbert, SPHR President, Sherbert & Associates Triscia McGuinness Educational Products Manager
Agenda Certification Credential: PHR/SPHR Credential = Mastery of Body of Knowledge + Demonstration of Mastery Body of knowledge recent update SHRM Learning System The exam Building your study plan 2
PHR/SPHR Credential Established in 1976 by HR Certification Institute. Global standard for HR profession. Two levels generalist and senior. Additional certifications (GPHR, CA). Currently, over 100,000 professionals hold the designations. Over 30,000 candidates apply annually. 3
Value of Certification Demonstrates that you have mastered core HR knowledge and principles. Ensures that your HR knowledge is up to date. Shows a desire to continually develop yourself. Results in greater respect within your organization. Increases professional confidence. Sets you apart from your peers. 4
Testimonials I don't know how you'd pass the [PHR] exam without the SHRM Learning System! I took the [SPHR] exam previously and used a competitor s system and failed. I retook the exam utilizing the SHRM Learning System and PASSED by leaps and bounds. I cannot emphasis enough, the SHRM Learning System is the ONLY way to go!!! I passed the SPHR [exam] on my first try using the SHRM Learning System. It is a no-brainer if you are serious about passing. 5
Body of Knowledge (BOK) Developed by HR practitioners. Based on evaluation of HR job functions. Recently evaluated and updated to reflect changes in profession. Written in outline form, not intended to be study guide for the exam. 6
Sample of BOK Functional Area 04: Compensation and Benefits (19%, 13%) Developing/selecting, implementing/administering, and evaluating compensation and benefits programs for all employee groups in order to support the organization s goals, objectives, and values. Responsibilities 01 Ensure that compensation and benefits programs are compliant with applicable federal laws and regulations. 02 Develop, implement, and evaluate compensation policies/programs (for example: pay structures, performance-based pay, internal and external equity). 03 Manage payroll-related information (for example: new hires, adjustments, terminations). 04 Manage outsourced compensation and benefits components (for example: payroll vendors, COBRA administration, employee recognition vendors). PHR only 05 Conduct compensation and benefits programs needs assessments (for example: benchmarking, employee surveys, trend analysis). 06 Develop/select, implement/administer, update and evaluate benefit programs (for example: health and welfare, wellness, retirement, stock purchase). 07 Communicate and train the workforce in the compensation and benefits programs, policies and processes (for example: self-service technologies). 08 Develop/select, implement/administer, update, and evaluate an ethically sound executive compensation program (for example: stock options, bonuses, supplemental retirement plans). SPHR only 09 Develop, implement/administer, and evaluate expatriate and foreign national compensation and benefits programs. SPHR only Knowledge of: 38 Applicable federal laws and regulations related to compensation, benefits, and tax (for example: FLSA, ERISA, FMLA, USERRA) 39 Compensation and benefits strategies 40 Budgeting and accounting practices related to compensation and benefits 41 Job evaluation methods 42 Job pricing and pay structures 43 External labor markets and/or economic factors 44 Pay programs (for example: variable, merit) 45 Executive compensation methods SPHR only 46 Noncash compensation methods (for example: equity programs, noncash rewards) 47 Benefits programs (for example: health and welfare, retirement, Employee Assistance Programs [EAPs]) 48 International compensation laws and practices (for example: expatriate compensation, entitlements, choice of law codes) SPHR only 49 Fiduciary responsibilities related to compensation and benefits 7
BOK Weightings PHR and SPHR Exam Functional Area PHR SPHR Business Management and Strategy 11% 30% Workforce Planning and Employment 24% 17% Human Resource Development 18% 19% Compensation and Benefits 19% 13% Employee and Labor Relations 20% 14% Risk Management 8% 7% 8
Exam Need a combination of education and work experience to sit Questions based on BOK Three hours 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored, 25 pre-tested) Consists of direct questions, incomplete statements, or issue/scenario descriptions Need scaled score of 500 or greater to pass 9
Eligibility Requirements PHR requirements 1 year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a master s degree or higher 2 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a bachelor s degree 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a bachelor s degree SPHR requirements 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a master s degree or higher 5 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a bachelor s degree 7 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a bachelor s degree 10
Exam Registration Visit www.hrci.org to register for the exam. Computer-based testing at testing centers. Testing windows. Registering for the exam early will help to ensure that you are able to select and be confirmed for the time and site that best fits your schedule. 8-Week Testing Window Applications Accepted Late Applications Accepted May 1 June 30, 2012 Jan. 9 Mar. 9, 2012 Mar. 10 Apr. 13, 2012 Dec. 1, 2012 Jan. 31, 2013 July 9 Oct. 5, 2012 Oct. 6 Nov. 9, 2012
Sample Test Question Which of the following recruitment methods usually results in lower employee turnover? A. College placement offices B. Advertisements C. Employee referrals D. Walk-ins 12
Sample Test Question Which of the following recruitment methods usually results in lower employee turnover? A. College placement offices B. Advertisements C. Employee referrals D. Walk-ins Answer: C 13
How to Prepare Find a program that focuses on functional areas of exam. Use a program that includes practice questions to test your application. Develop a study plan. Master the BOK and demonstrate mastery through application of concepts. SHRM-recommended tool is the SHRM Learning System. 14
Why Is It Recommended? Teaches to the updated HR Certification Institute BOK. Designed to support proven study and testtaking techniques. Recommended as the preferred study resource to prepare for the exam. Users pass the exam at a higher rate than non-users. Updated annually. New features for use on-the-go. 15
Delivery Modes SHRM Learning System offers various modes of delivery to meet your needs. Self-study Instructor-led classroom: college/university Online through college/university Corporate/in-house training Intensive 3-day seminars 16
Success Factors Select appropriate exam level (PHR/SPHR). Create study plan. Use study materials and techniques to reinforce learning and comprehension. Test your mastery of the material. Prepare your test-taking skills. 17
Levels of Certification Ideal Candidate PHR 2 to 4 years of exempt-level HR work Focus on program implementation vs. creation Tactical/logistical Solid foundation in functional areas of HR SPHR 6 to 8 years of progressive HR experience Design and plan programs vs. implementation Focus on big picture Use judgment obtained with time and application of knowledge 18
Create Study Plan Assess your current level of comfort and experience in each area of the body of knowledge. SHRM Learning System Assessment can be a useful tool to guide your studies. Complete SmartStudy worksheet. Determine the time you will dedicate each week to preparing for the exam. 19
SmartStudy Tools 20
Did you know? Retention of new information without periodic review: 47% forgotten in 20 minutes 62% forgotten in 1 day 75% forgotten in 15 days 78% forgotten in 31 days A single encounter with a given concept is not sufficient to ensure the type of long-term learning that is necessary for success on the exam. 21
Using Study Materials Assess Study Assess current knowledge. Create directed study plan. View Quickstarts. Study learning modules. Take modulespecific tests. Study flashcards. 22
Online Learning Center YOUR CURRENT KNOWLEDGE TO SUCCEED YOUR EXAM 23
Additional Tools 24
Resource Center 25
Test Your Mastery Pass Take post-test to measure learning gain. Close any learning gaps by review. Review test-taking tips; prepare for exam day. 26
SHRM LS Case Study 27
Sample Test Question 28
Prepare Your Test-Taking Skills Trust your first impressions/avoid over-analyzing. If uncertain, mark and return to question. Eliminate obvious distractors. Identify your answer before reading the choices. Budget your time and don t rush. 29
Get Started Today Download these simple steps from www.shrm.org/learning. 30
In Summary Certification Credential: PHR/SPHR Credential = Mastery of Body of Knowledge + Demonstration of Mastery No magic bullet for passing the exam. Discipline is the key. Develop a realistic and actionable study plan. Commit to passing the exam. 31
Purchase Today As a benefit of attending this Webcast, we are offering a $25 discount on the SHRM Learning System* if you purchase prior to April 30, 2012. To take advantage of this offer, you can: Visit www.shrm.org/learning and click on the Order Now button. Enter the code: LS0012. Be sure to click the My Cart link to access the discount code box before checkout. Call 800-444-5006, option #2, or +1-651-905-2663 and mention the code LS0012. Note: We recommend using materials developed in the same year that you will sit for the exam to ensure that you have the most current information. *Offer applies only to the self-study learning option and cannot be combined with any other offers or previous orders. Expires April 30, 2012. 32
Resource Links SHRM Learning System free demo/ordering details: www.shrm.org/learning 2012 Certification Handbook: http://www.niftytechnologies.net/shrm/index.php Exam dates and application: http://www.hrci.org/deadlines_fees/ Body of knowledge: www.hrci.org/certification/bok/ Join SHRM now: www.shrm.org/join 33