PHR, SPHR, and GPHR Eligibility Requirements Changing
In April I wrote about proposed changes to the PHR and SPHR eligibility requirements. The HR Certification Institute announced today that those changes will take effect in 2011. Beginning with the May-June 2011 test window, the following eligibility requirements will apply:
For the PHR
- 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- 2 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- 1 year of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
For the SPHR
- 7 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- 5 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
For the GPHR
- 4 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 4 being global HR experience) with less than a Bachelor’s degree
- 3 years of demonstrated exempt-level HR experience (with 2 of the 3 being global HR experience) with a Bachelor’s degree
- 2 years of demonstrated global exempt-level HR experience with a Master’s degree or higher
January 28th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Welcome back!
I just took the exam and passed, and Terri’s information from when she took the exam really helped me to develop a study plan.
I have missed reading your posts!
January 28th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Congratulations, Ben!
And thank you. My hiatus was longer than planned, but I’m glad the archives contained enough information to be helpful. I’ll be updating more frequently now…
January 28th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Ben, congratulations on passing the exam! I’m glad that the information I shared was helpful.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 am
I took and failed the PHR on Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 and feel the SHRM Prep Course DID NOT reflect the exam at all. In my opinion, SHRM misrepresents the course and how to study for the exam. The test questions from the study course did not come close to the exam questions. I am very disappointed in SHRM and how they present the material. I spent money, time and energy preparing for the exam and feel blind sided with the test. After about 15 min into the exam, I got up and asked the administrator to check and make sure I was given the correct test. As the test questions were not at all what SHRM had in the Modules or study guides.
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Tim, I’m sorry to hear about your PHR exam results. Many share your frustration. There is a persistent misconception that the SHRM Learning System is the official way to prepare for the PHR and SPHR exams. Truth is, there are not any study materials available that “teach to the test.” The HR Certification Institute does not share specific exam content with anyone, including their SHRM cousins over at the Learning System. Those who prepare study materials don’t have any inside information. They have access only to the information that is provided in the certification handbook–the Test Specifications.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:18 am
I used multiple study aids. I have heard of too many people relying on a single one and failing, and I didn’t want to join that crowd.
February 13th, 2009 at 12:47 am
Well, Ben, could you suggest some materials? I try to participate in GPHR test in May, and I have not any relative materials besides SHRM issued
March 13th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Laura, Terri, Ben. I invested in SHRM. Please give me some suggestions!!
March 17th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Carrie, here are my suggestions:
- Create a study plan and stick to it.
- Allow for “make-up” days in case something comes up and you get behind.
- Assess how you are doing through practice exams. Review those questions you missed and figure out why you missed them.
- Find someone who can quiz you on concepts. This forces you to explain in your own words (out loud), which will help you (1) remember the concept, and (2) evaluate how well you know it.
- Don’t memorize! Internalize! You will have to apply these concepts not just regurgitate the information.
- Be confident and don’t let the anxiety get the better of you!
Good luck!
May 8th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I took and failed the exam today. I spent an abudnance of time and money on the SHRM course and it was a complete waste of both. The actual test questions were nothing like the practice questions. SHRM Learning System is a misrepresentation of proper preparation for the exam. I wouldn’t recommend it.
May 11th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I’m taking the GPHR in about a week, wondering what I should read besides the 5 books from SHRM learning system.
May 12th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Cecilia,
Any feedback to your earlier post? I too am preparing to sit for the GPHR in two weeks.
I too am utilizing the revised SHRM Global Learning System.
Thanks.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hi :
I took the GPHR exam today – 27th May 2009 & failed . Despite toiling for several weeks & test scores ranging between 80 – 90 % , the efforts have not translated into apositive outcome
The exam had very difficult & complicated questions . Some concepts are not covered in the syllabus – checked upon return from the exam …
Please suggest & recommend tips
May 27th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Hi,
I took the GPHR exam on 18th and passed. Overall, I don’t feel the exam is well structured or designed to reflect your true knowledge, but a test of exam taking skills.
I didn’t have the new SHRM learning system software but the new 5 books. That demonstrates that the test questions from the software would not be able to prepare you well for the exam. I read the books twice, which I think is really helpful at the second time. The point is to thoroughly understand and be able to apply the concepts, especially those concepts about the cultural differences.
Last but most importantly, use your instinct for the questions you’re not sure. I marked all the questions I’m not sure during the exam and reviewed them at the end but didn’t change any of them unless I really feel I know the right answer.
May 28th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Hi Cecilia :
You have summarized my dilemma in a succinct manner . I changed close to 15 responses which were marked for review . I guess I introspected too much & changed the responses towards the end – gut feel response is the secret .
The only consolation is that I thoroughly enjoyed the course & have conviction in my preparation & efforts . I am dejected with the end result but that has paved way for a fresh start . Thanks for your insight .
June 1st, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Took the PHR exam today 6/1/09 after teacher had encouraged me to take SPHR exam due to my excelling in the class and exams in the SHRM Prep Course. Quickly within the first bit of the exam, it was clear to me the question format was not simliar in any regard to the question format presented during the class.
Regarding subject matter, I would estimate only 60% was covered in the prep material/class. The remaining 40% was material not covered during the prep course or in the SHRM material.
Regarding question format, I often recognized the concept/application in the question, but when reviewing answer choices, I often felt I could only eliminate one or two max and words were used that are not commonly used to assist in choosing the correct answer.
My only expectation is to be tested solely on the knowledge set and for the certification test not to use question format to thwart a successful pass. I do beleive a true partnership should exist with Prep classes and question formats should be similar. How else could I answer 1,240 multiple choice questions over 60 some odd practice exams and consistely score in the 80% range. I dont get it and strongly feel a misrepresentation exists.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Took and passed the SPHR on Saturday. Like most others who have submitted comments, I studied the SHRM Learning Material that I borrowed from somone, although they were 4 years old. I also reviewed some other HR books/SPHR related books.
While I ABSOLUTELY agree that the exam was nothing like the practice exams (of which I took 4 or 5), I can’t say that the Learning System didn’t help. I teaches you the concepts, whereas the Exam really wants you to apply the concepts. I think I memorized too much and didn’t spend enough time thinking about application. Although I passed (I’m still waiting for my actual results) I wasn’t sure how I did when I hit the “Submit” button. Longest 20 seconds of my life.
For anyone considering taking the exam, make sure you spend some time on Mergers and Acquisitions and SOX. Try to think about how to apply the concepts that are reviewed in the Learning System to real life situations.
Finally, don’t get flustered. When the first question came up, I had NO IDEA what they were talking about. Not the way I had hoped to start.
Good Luck.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Like Michael, the 20 seconds or so after hitting the End Exam button were the longest ever! But I passed ans was extremely relieved. I studied, but could have studied much more than I did.
After reading everyone’s feedback about the SHRM learning system or SHRM courses, I can understand why some may feel a bit duped by the test format and/or content. I took an online PHR prep course offered by GMU which uses the SHRM Learning System and the learnHRM site. Most of the material on my exam was contained somewhere within the modules, but a few questions still seemed completely unfamiliar.
Something that I strongly advise would be to google the internet for test taking tips. I did this and foung many helpful hints. It was extremely important to go in there and be relaxed. Second, you MUST read every word of every question very carefully because the questions seem to be worded to potentially confuse you or point to multiple correct answers. Remember that they are looking for the BEST possible answer though. Strike through any answers that are blatantly incorrect to eliminate them immediately. “Mark” any questions that are stumping you or taking too long. You can return to them later and don’t want to waste too much time or become frustrated. I found that a good portion of the answers involved applying your practical knowledge or good judgment. This was an easy test to overanalyze or overthink, so I made it a point to not second guess myself on most answers. Thank goodness it worked! Best of luck to everyone.
June 30th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I passed the SPHR exam today using the 2009 SHRM learing system. In my opinion, the question in the learing system were harder than the actual exam questions.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:24 am
Hi,
Can you pls help me in below doubts?
- Is PHR, SPHR, GPHR world recognized certifications for a MBA HR personnel?
- If i do an MBA in HR from a B grade B school and then do one of these certifictions will my industry value increase and fetch me a good job?
- I’m an engineer with 2.8 years of technical exp in software/IT company, so am I eligible for these certifications?
Pls advise.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:01 am
I took and passed (according to the preliminary results) on June 30th. Has anyone heard of a situation where someone’s preliminary results did NOT match their official results? I tend to worry about things and this got me thinking. Why have preliminary results when they could be wrong?
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 am
For clarification, I passed the PHR. Sorry for the omission in my first post.
July 6th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I took the PHR on June 30th and passed. I used the SHRM Learning System and found it very helpful. I used only the books and Learnhrm.com that came with the system. The webcasts and supplemental materials were very helpful. I printed the flashcards but I didn’t get around to using them. No one should expect any of the study material to be “worded” like the actual exam. That would make the exam extremely easy to pass and the focus would be on memorization of material and not application of material. Like Jay.lyn said before, I thought the Learning system questions were harder than the actual exam questions. Read, re-read, and read the exam question again and again until the answer jumps off the computer screen. It may not be obvious at 1st but the answer is there.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am
With these changes could the work experience be exempt level, but one is not classified as an exempt employee due to part-time status and not meeting the salary requirements?
Or even now, should someone in that situation still apply to take the exam if years of experience exceed minimum requirements?
October 16th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hi! I am now sitting at my son’s middle school homecoming dance, when I came across your blog. I thought I would try to surf the web for helpful hints while I am here and away from studying “those modules”for a night.
Thank you all for your comments and insight. I am sitting for the SPHR in December and don’t know if I should be afraid or excited.
If the SHRM system is not the way to go, which book(s) would you suggest I get to conquer this test? SHRM really pushes these modules as “the” key to passing this test.
December 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I took the SPHR test today Dec. 5th 2009 and failed. I studied the laws, the cases, union and failed. i took the college shrm course with the learing system. I do not think it was on point. I am purchasing Anne Bogaurds sorry not sure of the spelling her book to help with the shrm deficiences. I am retaking next test period which I believe is March. The test answers and questions where not straight forward. Many of the questions i felt confidant which was wrong. I am curious what the results will show when i receive them in the next few weeks. I studied my butt off for a fail. UGGGG
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I took the 12 week course and a 3 day cram course and did not pass the SPHR last December. I used the SHRM learning system and I did not think this material represented the actual examination. My test had questions that we did not cover at all during the 12 week such as using a payline to calculate the value of the points to a given job evaluation. Of course this rattled me right off the bat since you have to know the algebraic formula to come up with the answer. I also thought there were alot of questions on terminologies and definitions. The experience was nerve racking. I studied with a friend and she passed. I will take the exam again in May/June window. But as Laura have said, you must know the hr body of knowledge inside out to pass this. I’m more concern what materials to use now if I should continue with SRHM or invest in the HRCP. Any thoughts for those who have used both? For those that failed during the December window, would you like to have a study group once a week to cover the materials.
January 7th, 2010 at 10:07 am
I took my PHR Dec. 5, 2009, and can relate to everyone who has failed and posted here. The only relief for me is that at least I know, it wasn’t my mind or imagination.
The SHRM Learning systems are definitely a misrepresentation. Depite wanting to just forget this…I will make another attempt to try again during this next test window…Any suggestions anyone?
January 10th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Hi,
I plan to take up the GPHR exam this May. Please suggest reading materials that i could use.
Thanks
Prathibha
January 14th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
I am putting together my credits for recertification and was looking for some feedback from others on the GPHR test. I remember sitting down at the computer and after the first 50 questions also thought I had the wrong test. It did not even seem to reflect what I had studied for 6 weeks. I did pass it – but barely! I also thought the initial “passed” was wrong and wondered if there was any chance that when I received the official paperwork – it would say “sorry we were wrong!” But even the official paperwork said I’d passed. Here are some suggestions I have for preparing:
1. TAKE A PREP COURSE – if you can.
2. If you are using the SHRM materials:
I read the books
I outlined the books
I prepared notecards on all main concepts
I read the outlines and notecards into a tape recorder
I played the tape back to I heard the information
Good luck!
January 19th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Hello,
I am looking for any suggestions from people who took PHR exam in Dec 09- Jan.2010.
I am scheduled to take the test on Jan. 21, and just wondering if any last min. tip can help me.
The main thing bothers me is that question format, I am not sure what will be the format of the questions on the test.
Also, can someone please guide me on my status as a student. I just finished my MBA and taking PHR exam as a recent student status. In case, if I don’t make it at this time. Can I still take in mid 2010 as I wont have recent student status and wont have 2 years of exempt job experience?
Any tips/suggestions for PHR exam would be helpful.
Thanks!
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Hi all – Another person that is very unsatisfied with the SHRM Learning System and other books. I took the SPHR exam today (22 Jan 2010) and did not pass. I read a bit of Anne Bogardus’ book, and really liked the fact that a CD came with it. Like Kathy indicated, it really helps me hear the words, not just read them, and Adobe has this ‘read aloud’ option that I was able to utilize. However, I found some of her answers in practice tests were WRONG! I went back to the book, where the discussion of the question was, and it was contradictory to the answer that was given. How could I trust the rest of the book??? I also utilized Kaplan’s book – I think this one had better questions, but I still didn’t agree with all of them. Kaplan also used a lot of “None of the above” and “All of the above”, and the test had NONE of those answers. I agree with most of the responses about the questions not being like the ones in the books. Most of them were asking what the BEST answer was, all of the answers seemed right, but you need to choose the BEST one. And others were the MOST, the FIRST, the LAST, etc.
Laura said it best – you have to know the BOK inside and out. I am in the Navy and don’t use 80% of this stuff in my day-to-day work! It is very difficult to imagine how civilian corporations utilize HR when you don’t get to experience it!
I think I will join a course or a study group. I learn better by arguing out the answers!
Good luck to all of you. If any of you are in the Norfolk, VA area and are planning on taking the next session this year, let me know…
Thanks,
Donna
January 25th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
I took the PHR exam on January 22, 2010 and the preliminary results says I passed. Have there been instances where one gets a preliminary “pass” result and then receives a final “fail” result? I took the exam as a recent graduate with no HR experience and minimal preparation. I guessed on the majority of the questions and did not return to double check my answers due to frustration. I walked into that exam fully expecting to fail.
As for prep materials, I purchased the study guide by Anne Bogardus. I skimmed the material the night before the exam and took the practice exams. Although I did not read the material in depth, I felt that the material covered the test questions adaquately. The practice test questions weren’t formatted like the exam questions themselves. You should study the material and flash cards to get a good grasp on the concepts. The practice questions weren’t helpful at all.
I am patiently awaiting my final results. Either I’m incredibly lucky or the testing system is incredibly broken. I spent 3 hours studying for the exam and answered all 225 questions in 1 hour, 43 minutes. Honestly, that cannot merit a passing result.
January 26th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Looking to ace the SPHR in May 2010. Any fellow Navy or Civilian HR folks in DuPage, IL looking to start a buddy session?
January 30th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I took the PHR today and I failed. The exam was nothing like what I expected. I approached it like a college exam, memorized laws and rules and steps of a bill and how labor unions exist and are formed. Not one of those things were on my test except a few vague union questions. The few questions that did look similar to what I studied had multiple possible answers and you had to pick the best answer, I think that’s kind of subjective!
I studied with 3 different sources including a learning system, book and a video study. When I took the test I felt like I just got done studying Spanish and the test was on the Portuguese language. A little familiar but very loosley based.
I spoke with one of my friend who failed 2 years back and he told me he felt the same way and decided to save his $ and go after a masters degree for the same reasons. At least when you study for an exam the same material is on the test!
I just feel ripped off at this point, over 1k spend trying to improve my skills during a time when I was laid off, and after taking the test all I can say is hmmm is there a conflict of interest with a governing body making an exam and selling study guides to that exam. The 45-60 failure rate makes an interesting argument.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:54 am
I took the PHR test yesterday, January 31, 2010, and failed! As soon as the test began, I was baffled at the questions, as they were nothing compared to the SHRM Learning Systems questions. At one point, I thought I had been admnistered the wrong test. In no way did the learning material, study questions or practice test resemble the questions that was on the exam. I feel cheated by the SHRM Learning System! I will be retaking the exam in May. I will utilize other sources to be better prepared this time.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
I too took the SPHR 1/31/2010 and failed. I was stunned because I releid heavily on the SHRM learning sytem, the tests and flashcards. I suspected it to be subjective but not as difficult as it was. I also TOTALLY agree that the Shrm learning system is a misrepresentation of the test. My question is (because I feel so burnt by the process) is should I take the PHR or try the SPHR again. I feel liek I should take a class on “how to take subjective tests” because I knew the material very well and studied diligently for 3 weeks, read all the books twice and took most of on line tests and have been in HR for 18 years with a master’s. Any ideas? Thanks!
February 5th, 2010 at 6:35 am
Hi,
I took PHR exam this Jan. and failed. However, when the report came in, I am very close to passing score 491 compare to 500.
Is there anything that can be done?
Thanks,
Lori
February 7th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
I took the test in January 2010 and FAILED. I’m still in shock. I can’t even begin to explain the feeling of seeing the word ‘FAIL’ after completing the test! I took the course at our local university, studied the outlines, flashcards, scored 80%-90% on the practice exams, have over 25 yrs HR exp., and was in a study group 3x week. The material wasn’t even close to the questions on the exam. I’m curious to know what the pass/fail rate is today; it has to be less than 50%. I only know 1 person that passed the exam.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Hi All – Curious if there is anyone out there who has failed the PHR and gone on to take the SPHR anyway?
March 8th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Hi,
Is there anyone who is schedule for PHR exam in Spring 2010 (May-June)? I am looking for someone to study with in Houston area.
thanks,