PHR/SPHR and other HRCI exams include these five types of questions.
Traditional multiple-choice. These items contain a stem (or premise) and four (4) answer choices including only one (1) correct answer.
Multiple choice, multiple response. These are like multiple-choice items except there are two or more correct answers. The item will tell you how many correct options there are.
Fill in the blank. You will be asked to provide a numeral, word, or phrase to complete the sentence.
Drag and drop. You will be asked to click on certain pieces of information and drag them with your cursor to place them in the correct position.
Scenarios. Scenario questions present typical HR situations, followed by a series of exam items based on the scenario. These scenarios require you to integrate facts from different subject areas.
Answering Strategy:
In all cases, you should select the best correct response. In this case, the best means that a panel of HR subject matter experts would agree to this judgment. Some answer choices are distractors, which are written to look correct but are not the best answer. This is done to assess your ability to make the right decision based on an actual workplace situation.
Keep in mind that all questions are classified based on one of the following cognitive levels:
- knowledge/comprehension: recalling factual material, such as definitions
- application/problem solving: applying familiar principles or generalizations to solve real-life problems
- synthesis/evaluation: combining different elements and using critical thinking skills to solve a complex problem
Only HRCI practice-based exams – the GPHR, PHR, SPHR, PHRca, PHRi, and SPHRi – include application and synthesis-level exam items. You can purchase these practice tests at hrci.org.
To best prepare for the exam, complete practice tests with a variety of questions that fit in the five types of questions and address the three cognitive levels. Develop a study plan that tackles how you gain the knowledge and how you can apply them in real-life situations and in solving complex problems. Remember you don’t just study to pass the exam, you study to be a better HR professional.
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