SHRM Certification Best Test Practices, Part 3: the SHRM Learning System

SHRM certification exam testers who prepare using SHRM-developed and endorsed study materials experience higher pass rates and all the benefits of preparing with resources based on the same competency framework.

Earning your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification proves to your clients, employers and peers that you’ve made the commitment to be the best HR professional you can be. As 2024 continues full steam ahead, now is the perfect time to revisit your interest in advancing your career by obtaining your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. And when it comes to achieving your certification goals, there’s no better way to prepare than with the SHRM Learning System.

The SHRM Learning System is the preferred resource for SHRM certification exam preparation and is available via flexible self-study and instructor-led options, as well as team-learning options for your organization. The program is built upon the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK), the same foundation upon which the SHRM certification exams are based. (And, important: Be sure you familiarize yourself with the SHRM BASK as your first step in pursuit of SHRM certification.)

How Is the SHRM Learning System Different?

When testers use the right SHRM exam preparation products, understanding how to study, when to study, and what to study becomes very straightforward. Testers who prepared for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams using a combination of the SHRM BASK (Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge) and SHRM Learning System see higher pass rates than those who do not use SHRM preparation materials.

The SHRM learning system offers a comprehensive and fully personalized preparation experience. So how does it work? When you first enter the SHRM Learning System, you will:

• Share your intended certification level (SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP).
• Enter your desired exam date.
• Complete a series of pretests based on the three SHRM BASK knowledge domains and the three SHRM BASK Competency Clusters.

That’s it! With those results in hand, the system will create a custom learning path tailored to your unique knowledge and skills gaps.

What Does the SHRM Learning System Include?

The SHRM Learning System is fully aligned with the actual SHRM exam framework. You will be preparing for the type of exam questions you can expect to see on the actual SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exams. No other program on the planet can offer that benefit.

You will be able to take advantage of interactive study tools to reinforce your learning, including flashcards, more than 2,700 practice questions, and a realistic timed practice exam featuring actual SHRM exam items used on prior SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams. The program can also easily be switched between SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP level material, so regardless of which level of certification you’re pursuing, you’ll be covered!

As a bonus, all SHRM Certification Preparation course participants receive access to an exclusive session on test-taking tips at no cost!

How Can I Use the SHRM Learning System?

That is completely up to you! Whether you are a self-motivated learner who thrives in the comfort of your home at your own pace, or you are someone who appreciates instructor guidance at a nearby in-person or live virtual classroom setting with one of our SHRM-certified instructors, we can meet your needs anywhere around the globe! Yes, SHRM offers Learning System preparation courses globally!

Based on your personal preparation preferences, you have the option to:

• Study at your pace on your own time with the flexibility of the Self-Study option.
• Study in a structured environment and network with your peers at a location near you with an in-person or live virtual instructor-led course.
• Study with your entire team with one of our group training options.

When Should I Invest in the SHRM Learning System Materials?

Recent SHRM research points to a purchasing and preparing “sweet spot” three months ahead of your scheduled exam date. During this time frame, SHRM Learning System purchasers experience higher pass rates at both exam levels, compared to non-Learning System users.

• SHRM-CP
  • U.S.-based candidates recorded a 14 percent pass rate increase.
  • International examinees saw a 10 percent pass rate increase worldwide.
• SHRM-SCP
  • U.S.-based candidates recorded a 13 percent pass rate increase.
  • International examinees saw a 12 percent pass rate increase worldwide.

Not a SHRM member yet? Save hundreds on SHRM preparation resources and exam fees by simply becoming a SHRM member, while accessing amazing benefits to truly elevate yourself, the workplace, and the HR profession. Part 4 of this article will appear in the April 18 issue of the Certification Update. See Part 2 of this series.

Caitlin Shea, SHRM-CP, is product manager for SHRM Learning Systems at Holmes Corporation. Charles Glover, M.S., is manager of exam development and accreditation at SHRM.