Think like an item writer
Writers are often advised, Know your audience. I suggest the opposite in your preparation to take the PHR and SPHR exams: Know your author.
So who is the author of the PHR and SPHR exam questions? The questions are developed by item-writing panels comprised of human resource professionals who volunteer to write questions. The item-writers are all SPHR certified and are HR practitioners and academicians. You can read more about item writers and the exam development process on the HRCI website.
As you study for the PHR or SPHR exam, try to anticipate what exam items might be drawn from the material you are covering. Ask yourself, “How could an exam item be designed to test this concept?” Constructing your own practice exam items will help you think more like an item writer when you take the actual exam.