How to Create a Study Plan for Your HR Certification Exam

Preparing for an HR certification exam requires careful planning and dedicated study time. Creating a study plan that works for your unique schedule and learning style is key to succeeding. Here’s how you can build an effective study plan for your HR certification exam.

Step 1: Understand the Exam Structure

Before you even think about starting your study sessions, it’s crucial to understand the structure of the exam you’re preparing for. Each HR certification exam, such as the SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR, has a unique structure, content outline, and weight distribution across topics. The first thing you should do is review the exam content outlines provided by the certifying body (like SHRM or HRCI). These outlines detail the topics you’ll need to cover and provide a breakdown of the percentage of the exam dedicated to each area.

For instance, the SHRM-CP exam might emphasize competencies such as Relationship Management, Global & Cultural Effectiveness, and Workforce Management, while the PHR exam focuses heavily on HR operations, employee relations, and business management.

Understanding the key areas to focus on is essential to create an effective study plan. You can also review sample exams, study guides, and the exam blueprint to get a sense of question formats and test-taking strategies.

Step 2: Set Realistic Study Goals

Next, break your study goals down into manageable chunks. Attempting to cover everything at once can lead to burnout, so instead, divide your study time into smaller, achievable targets.

Start by setting a clear, overall goal: “I want to pass the SHRM-CP exam in three months.” Then, break this larger goal down into weekly or even daily milestones. For example:

• Week 1: Understand the basics of Talent Acquisition, covering the entire chapter on recruiting and selection.
• Week 2: Dive deep into Employee Relations, focusing on conflict resolution and legal frameworks.

Breaking your study schedule into smaller goals will not only help you track progress but also prevent procrastination by giving you a clear direction every day.

Step 3: Create a Detailed Study Schedule

Now that you have an understanding of the exam and a set of realistic goals, it’s time to create a detailed study schedule. Consistency is key to mastering the material, so set aside regular blocks of time for studying.

Evaluate your current schedule and determine the best times for studying. If you work full-time, consider studying during the evenings or weekends. Some people find that setting aside time in the morning, before starting their workday, is most effective.

A typical study schedule might look like:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Review Talent Management
• Tuesday and Thursday: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Practice exam questions or watch a related webinar
• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Review key concepts and participate in an online study group
• Sunday: Take a practice test or quiz to assess progress

By adhering to this schedule, you ensure that you’re dedicating time each week to review and reinforce what you’ve learned, preventing any gaps in your knowledge.

Step 4: Prioritize the Topics

When it comes to prioritizing study material, it’s important to focus on areas that carry the most weight on the exam. Review the exam content outline and identify which topics are emphasized. For example, the SHRM-CP exam might dedicate a larger portion to HR competencies like Communication and Relationship Management, while a PHR exam may spend more time on the technicalities of employment law and business management.

Once you’ve identified the key areas, spend more time on these subjects, especially if you find them challenging. Don’t ignore smaller topics entirely, but understand that they may require less time in your study schedule.

It’s also a good idea to take practice exams to get a sense of which areas tend to have more questions or a higher degree of difficulty.

Step 5: Active Learning and Review

Simply reading through your study materials isn’t enough to retain information. Active learning techniques, such as summarizing, discussing, and testing yourself, will improve retention and understanding.

Incorporate these strategies into your study plan:

• Summarize the Material: After reading a chapter or completing a module, try to summarize the key points in your own words. This active engagement will help solidify your understanding of the material.
• Self-Testing: Use practice exams and quizzes to test your knowledge regularly. This will not only help you identify weak spots but will also simulate the actual test-taking experience.
• Teach What You Learn: If possible, explain complex HR concepts to someone else, whether it’s a peer, a friend, or even a family member. Teaching others is a powerful way to reinforce your understanding.

Step 6: Simulate Exam Conditions

As you near the end of your study plan, start practicing under test conditions. Take timed practice exams to get a feel for the exam’s pace and format. Practicing under pressure can help you manage anxiety on the big day and improve your ability to think clearly under time constraints.

You can find free practice exams and paid test banks online. Any comprehensive and quality study materials, like that offered by HRCP, will provide a series of practice exams. Make sure to review your answers thoroughly and identify patterns in the questions you get wrong so you can address these areas in your final review sessions.

Step 7: Review and Adjust

At least a week before the exam, review your entire study plan. Have you covered all the topics? Are there any areas you feel less confident about? Adjust your study schedule to allocate more time for these weaker areas.

Take time to review key HR concepts, practice questions, and the HR codes and laws that might appear in the exam.

In the final days before your exam, make sure to get enough rest and avoid cramming at the last minute. A good night’s sleep before the exam will help you retain information and improve focus on test day.

Final Thoughts

A well-structured study plan will keep you focused and on track throughout your preparation journey. By breaking your study time into manageable blocks, prioritizing important topics, using active learning techniques, and simulating exam conditions, you’ll be well-prepared for your HR certification exam.

Remember, consistency is key, and by sticking to your plan and adjusting when necessary, you’ll give yourself the best possible chance of passing the exam with flying colors.

Need help with a study plan? Check out the Sample Study Schedules offered by HRCP.