Stick with the old, or in with the new?
Here’s a question we see frequently: I have some older study materials; will they work in studying for the PHR and SPHR exams, or do I need to buy the current year’s edition?
Well, it depends. (You knew I was going to say that, didn’t you.) Human resource management is a dynamic field with an expansive body of knowledge. Keeping your arms around that body of knowledge is a daunting task. We update the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program every year. A new version of the SHRM Learning System is available each year. Any PHR/SPHR prep material worth its salt is updated annually. We make a lot of changes. But obviously we don’t change everything every year. Some aspects of HR change rapidly (the laws, for example). Other things don’t change much from year to year (like learning theories). In deciding whether you need to purchase the most current version of study materials, consider these two questions:
- Exactly how long has that old set of study materials been collecting dust? If it is more that five years, it is probably time to get a new set. If the materials are less than five years old, move on to question two.
- How much excitement do you have about researching the changes that have taken place in the HR field since your old set was published? There are two parts to this research: 1) determining what has changed, and 2) finding the new information. If the anticipation of that kind of sleuthing gets your blood pumping, then sticking with the old stuff might be right for you. If you dread that sort of research (or don’t have time for it), a new set is worth every penny.