Tips, Tools, and Strategies to Help You Pass the PHR Certification Exam

Whether you are already looking forward to taking the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) exam, or just beginning to consider the possibility, this article is for you. The web is full of opinions around study guides for this particular exam, but it continues to be difficult for real people to find objective opinions, free from the desire to sell a product or service.

I took the exam in May of 2010 and passed the first time. When I took the exam, I had a total of four years of HR experience and a BS in Human Resource Management. I think my background was a fairly typical for PHR exam takers. The knowledge I gained through my actual work experience was the most helpful tool I had in my arsenal. The questions on the exam are more situational, so experience is important. Anne Bogardus is the author of a book called, “PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide,” which provided a helpful overview. However, I would definitely recommend that prospective exam-takers have the minimum requisite two years of HR experience before they proceed with taking this exam.

There are some fact-based questions, and those of you who have a BS in HRM will likely find these questions to be similar to the final exam after your “Strategic Human Resource Management” course in college. Again, Anne Bogardus’s book proved to offer a helpful refresher for these questions.

I am not trying to imply that this exam was easy, so please do not underestimate it, but it really is not an overwhelming obstacle for you to overcome either. Relax, breathe, draw on your current knowledge base, think broadly, and you should pass the exam.

Helpful Tips:

1) The first 20 plus question scared me. I thought I was in over my head. I used the “mark” feature so that I could go back to the first 20 after I had built up more confidence. This was an extremely good idea.

2) Once I got into the test, I began to understand the format. Two of the answers are almost always clearly wrong. Use the “strikeout” feature and “mark” the question if you are not sure what the answer is. If you have the options reduced to 2 of the 4, you have a 50 percent shot at being right just by guessing, so keep this in mind.

3) Read the question carefully at least twice, even if you are confident. Timing is liberal on this exam and some questions are worded in a way that is a little tricky. Don’t let yourself make a silly mistake because you are rushing unnecessarily.

4) On the strategic questions, think “big picture” all the time. Of course, Talent Management programs exit (in part) to identify high potential talent, but the real strategic goal is succession planning.

5) Do not spend a lot of hours studying case law. While there are a few specific questions about landmark cases, this section is truly not worth spending more than an hour or so reviewing.

6) Definitely take the practice tests on the HRCI website. If there is anything worth investing your study dollars into, this is it. I found the practice exams to be a little more challenging than the real PHR.

I wish you the best of luck as you pursue PHR-certification. Your hardwork will pay off for you.