Local SHRM chapters and state councils great places to network and learn about the HR profession. From day-to-day HR challenges to strategic planning, HR peers are a valuable source of career information—even when it comes to taking the SHRM certification exams!
For the next five months, we will present a variety of test-taking tips from chapters and state councils that run SHRM certification preparation courses and study groups.
This first article in the series focuses on the different options available to you to create your study plan and study materials to use throughout your journey. In August’s feature article, we will discuss study groups and study buddies, and using and leveraging practice question sets. In September, we’ll talk about helpful add-ons to your study plan and additional strategies for success—like using flashcards or notecards and leveraging your professional network to support your preparation journey. Then in October, we’ll talk about completing your study plan and gearing up for test day. In the final article in November, the discussion will focus on the days and weeks immediately preceding your testing appointment so you can center yourself, put aside negative thinking and be ready when test day arrives. Testing for the upcoming test window begins Dec. 1, 2023.
These tips come directly from chapter or state council members who teach or who have been part of a local study group or who have led a preparation program.
What SHRM Research Says about Study Materials
SHRM research consistently shows that aspiring SHRM-certificants who study using both the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK) and the SHRM Learning System in tandem have a tendency to pass at a higher rate than those who use neither resource to prepare. The test is on the SHRM BASK content; if you are very familiar with the SHRM BASK, it will make your study journey using the SHRM Learning System smoother as well. The SHRM Learning System content is built on the SHRM BASK, just like the test questions are based on and the test forms are built on the SHRM BASK test blueprint. Use both together to increase your chances of passing. Add the official SHRM study guide, included in your SHRM Learning System in the resource tab or available through SHRM Store. These three sources are the trifecta to support a successful study journey to SHRM certification—including multiple sets of practice questions that we will discuss in next month’s article.
Consider these pieces of advice from SHRM chapter and state council members, including how far in advance to start studying, so you are ready on test day. They also focus on studying a comprehensive, and proven, set of study materials—the SHRM BASK, the SHRM Learning System, and the official SHRM study guide and accompanying workbooks. There will be more next month on practice tests and flashcards, too.
- I used the SHRM prep books to self-study for the exam and spent every spare moment over six months studying. This worked well for me, as I passed my exam on the first round, but others may find it helpful to join a local SHRM study group!
- Acquire and actually read through the Learning System materials, but start by reading the SHRM BASK first. The test is on the SHRM BASK—though you must study the SHRM Learning System to master the content from the SHRM BASK that may appear on the exam as test questions.
- Order the SHRM Learning System and read one book or section online every week before your test.
- I strongly recommend the SHRM study materials! Set a schedule to read a chapter, then take the test at the end of the chapter to check your knowledge.
- Invest in yourself. Purchase the study materials and related resources and attend internet-based or webinar sessions regarding the certification you are pursuing. All chapter and SHRM cert prep courses include the SHRM Learning System.
- Read the study materials. Highlight topics that you see repeated throughout the book.
- Students who use many parts of the Learning System are more successful. Reading, quizzes, self-assessments, post-tests, flash cards. Make use of everything that is available, and set aside a few hours per week for studying.
- The SHRM Learning System is invaluable! Reading and practice-testing at least one hour a day for at least three months in preparation for the exam is critical to success in my opinion.
- Using the SHRM Learning System is definitely a must; however, you must use other resources as well. Do not stick with just one. Be sure to start your studying by reviewing the SHRM BASK—the test is on the SHRM BASK. Then go back to the SHRM Learning System and study the content to learn and fill gaps in knowledge.
- Purchase the SHRM Study materials—they are extraordinarily helpful!
- Sign up for an exam preparatory course. Many chapters and state councils offer them locally. This will give you sufficient knowledge to prepare for the exam and introduce you to a group of other test takers to network too.
Timing Is Everything
Only you can determine exactly how much time you will need to study. You know the first step is to review the SHRM BASK. Highlight topics you want to study deeply or simply review in the SHRM Learning System. Then log in to your online SHRM Learning System portal to begin studying. Also be sure to take the pre-test in the SHRM Learning System that helps you further refine the topics to study most, as opposed to simply reviewing them. This pre-test is composed of all recently-administered-but-now-retired operational test items—so it also gives you a realistic preview of the structure, content and format of questions on the operational exam when test day arrives.
These tips from members of SHRM chapters and state councils focus on when to begin your study journey and start with this singular piece of critical advice: Have a study plan. There is a lot of material to cover, and a plan will help you stay on track. Do not try to “wing” the SHRM certification exam or cram a week or two before your exam. Those two strategies are neither wise nor helpful.
- Create a study plan based on your weakest areas and your test date. Commit to this plan to avoid procrastination.
- Study every day, even just for 30 minutes.
- Do a little bit every day so you don’t get overwhelmed!
- Prepare by studying at least three months in advance of test day.
- Block off dedicated time to study. Prior to test-taking, study, study, study!
- Start studying early. I started six months in advance. My studying technique was to read a SHRM study guide chapter, highlighting important areas. I then went back and re-read the chapter and wrote out my notes. Typing up my notes gave me the opportunity to re-read the material again. So, when I completed my reading assignments, I had typed notes to continue to study from.
- Begin your test prep several months in advance—at least three to four months out.
- If you think, “I have been doing HR a long time so I can pass the test,” you are wrong. Many who skip a study course don’t pass on the first try. When I tested, a few people in my group said this or almost this (that they didn’t need to study), before the test started. Three of them got up and left the test after about 30 minutes. They realized that they could not pass.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to study. You will need to pace yourself to digest all the material.
- Have a plan with bite-size goals. Make the plan doable; having a plan only works if the goals are realistic.
- Use your calculator to figure out how many pages you need to get through daily between now and the time you plan to take the test.
- Stretch yourself with studying, but give yourself some break times.
- Understand the concepts and how to apply them to different situations. Memorization was important but was not as important as I had thought it would be.
- Don’t cram. Create a study plan and stick to it. Discipline is key.
- Make sure you set up a recurring schedule for yourself to review the content, even if it is just a 20-minute session to re-review something that you have already covered.
- The best tip for me was scheduling my time to study and read each day. I would come to work at 6 a.m. and read, take practice tests and do my assignments until the office opened at 8 a.m. Once 8 a.m. came around, I was done and I felt like I could focus on work and at night, I could focus on my home life. I did that for five days a week for 16 weeks. Weekends off.
- Give yourself at least a semester to prepare. You need the time to study; it is not something that can be crammed for at the last minute. I loved the digital flash cards and used them on my phone for at least nine months before the test. It made the basic questions easy after I had learned them cold from reviewing every time I had to wait in a line.
- Remember the test is half mastery of knowledge and half experience-based, so working with HR pros to hear about the kinds of situations they have handled that required decision-making, solving problems or making judgments was invaluable to me to gear up for answering the situational judgment items.
SHRM is committed to your success, and SHRM certification is completely achievable. You’ve made the commitment to become SHRM-certified. Let the journey begin. We hope this series of tips from SHRM chapters and state councils will aid you on your certification journey.
To access the SHRM chapter network or find your contact information for the state council where you live, visit us online.