Pass rates re-revisited
I’ve given up on making sense of the Harry Potter/horcrux thing, but I believe I’ve made some headway into understanding the PHR and SPHR pass rates. The pass rate on the PHR exam has declined over the past number of years, with an especially precipitous decline over the past two years (from 67% in May-June 2005 to 62% in 2007). One or more of the following must be true:
- The PHR exam is getting more difficult.
- The cutoff for passing the PHR exam is being set higher each year.
- Less-qualified individuals are taking the PHR exam.
- People are going into the PHR exam less prepared.
The pass rates on the SPHR exam have bounced around over the years, with a low of 53% in May 2002 and a high of 60% in November-December 2004. The most recent administration of the exam produced results (58%) that are slightly above the average (57%). Looking at the data since 2005, the only conclusion I can draw is that you’ve got a better chance of passing the SPHR exam in the spring. I don’t know why. Maybe the fact that the winter exam window straddles the holiday season increases stress and provides less time for study. (Why SPHR candidates seem to be more negatively impacted by this, I couldn’t say. Perhaps it’s the eggnog.)
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, whatever the reason for the plummeting and bouncing pass rates, the only thing you can control is your personal preparation. Study hard. Your result on the exam is not determined by national pass rates or trends. Your success is determined by you.