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. This five-part series delves into how to best use these resources.
HR practitioners, advocates, students and professionals responsible for managing HR who are pursuing SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification—particularly those of you juggling work, life and other responsibilities—cannot afford to miss out on SHRM exam preparation offerings. The marketplace is teeming with exam preparation products branded with the SHRM logo. Despite this seeming overabundance of “SHRM” study materials, only a handful of preparation products are actually developed by SHRM staff and are proven to improve exam success rates, compared to some of the inaccurate pass rates that you and your friends and colleagues see claimed as a benefit from other non-SHRM preparation sources. All exam preparation products are not the same. And SHRM has the data to prove it.
When testers use the right and recommended SHRM exam preparation products, understanding how to study, when to study and what to study becomes very straightforward. Using SHRM-developed materials has a profound effect on pass rates. Testers who prepare 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.
SHRM maintains a variety of unique, best-in-class products for your exam preparation journey that align with your schedule and suit your financial needs. Regardless of the product you ultimately select, SHRM takes pride in the fact that our products offer a key benefit that no other product on the market can offer: actual previously administered SHRM-developed exam questions in the study materials!
You will get firsthand practice with exam questions that appeared on a recent version of the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. Why is this important? Complex SHRM exam questions are validated with the input of HR professional subject matter experts, particularly the scenario-based situational judgment items. Thus, SHRM exam questions are developed to adhere to a strict set of guidelines that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Additionally, all of SHRM’s exam preparatory materials strictly align with the test blueprint (see below) and cover the knowledge and competencies tested on the SHRM exams.
I hope this has piqued your interest! Let’s explore SHRM’s offerings in more detail below:
The SHRM BASK
The framework for all SHRM preparation materials.
What is the SHRM BASK?
- The SHRM BASK is the perfect place to start studying for either exam level, no matter what other materials are used to prepare. Simply put, the SHRM BASK is the exam blueprint!
- The SHRM BASK is the globally recognized competency framework that defines the 14 HR functional areas (Technical Expertise) and nine Behavioral Competencies from which the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are built.
- The SHRM BASK is used as the blueprint for creating test content for the SHRM exams. If you are not preparing using materials built on the SHRM BASK, you could be studying content that you will never see on test day.
- The SHRM BASK differentiates content that will be found on the SHRM-CP exam versus the SHRM-SCP exam. The exams test the same content differently. See the proficiency indicators example to the left.
By the way, the SHRM BASK is free to download for everyone!
The SHRM Learning System
SHRM’s premier customizable and interactive preparation product.
What is the SHRM Learning System?
With the SHRM BASK as its framework, the SHRM Learning System is the most comprehensive preparation resource than available.
The SHRM Learning System is the preferred resource for SHRM certification exam preparation, offering a customizable study plan well-suited for a tester who wants tailored options, a variety of structured learning support and a robust assortment of more than 2,700 HR practice questions
A key component is the pre-assessment, which identifies your areas of strength and areas for improvement to guide your preparation journey. Additionally, a post-assessment awaits you at the end of these materials, complete with a practice test to give you a realistic preview for test day
The SHRM Learning System offers a variety of modalities to suit your schedule, wallet and study needs. These options allow you to:
- Study at your pace on your own time with the Self-Study option.
- Engage with an instructor in a variety of classroom settings with virtual or in-person instructor-led options.
- Prepare your staff in-house with the team preparation option.
Are you a student? We’ve got you covered with our Education Partner course options!
Study Aids and Add-Ons
Companion resources to the SHRM BASK and the SHRM Learning System as you prepare for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam.
What are the SHRM Study Guide and Workbooks?
The Official SHRM Study Guide and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP workbooks can boost examinees’ test preparation in several ways:
- Combined, these affordable resources contain 120 knowledge items and situational judgment items previously administered on SHRM certification exams. These items are unique to these study aids and offer a realistic preview of the operational exam content.
- The aids give insights into SHRM style guidelines, terminology, acronyms and more for content creation.
- The guides will prepare you for test day, whether you test in person or remotely.
- They offer practical tips for managing test anxiety, budgeting time while studying and managing your time on test day.
- Examinees will benefit from insights and study tips from thousands of previous testers, including optimal study time.
SHRM is invested in you and your commitment to succeed and grow in the HR profession. For many, that begins with obtaining SHRM certification. These products are designed to support you on your preparation journey by offering realistic exam questions, timed practice tests, a variety of settings for preparation, steps to manage anxiety, a preview of what to expect on test day, and so much more! You have made the commitment to invest in your future—now set yourself up for success by utilizing these critical resources that give you the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.
Not a SHRM member yet? Save hundreds on SHRM preparation resources and exam fees when you become a SHRM member and acquire member benefits that elevate you, the workplace and the HR profession.
Part 2 of this article will appear in the February 2024 issue of the Certification Update.
Charles Glover, M.S., is the manager of exam development and accreditation at SHRM.
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