HRCP Blog

One of the first big decisions (following the obviously pivotal decision to take the PHR or SPHR exam in the first place) is the question of whether to join a study group or to prepare alone. Personally, I prefer to move at my own pace, spending more time on the areas where I am weak (benefits & unions), and less time on the areas that I already know pretty well (employment law & organizational theory). Also, by studying alone I avoid the tangents inevitable in group study; someone always takes the discussion off topic. Usually it’s me.

Group-study has its advantages, too. For me, the biggest benefits would be the mutual support (you know, the therapeutic aspect) and the structured schedule. There are a variety of types of group-study: paid instructor-led courses, free SHRM-chapter-sponsored classes, peer-based study groups, and more. I will delve deeper into these at another time. Today, I will discuss the pros and cons of self-study versus group-study.

Benefits of group-study:

• Instructor’s experience in preparing others for the HRCI exams
• Instructor’s knowledge or expertise that may go beyond your own
• Support from other group members
• Group members’ knowledge and experience
• An externally-imposed study schedule

Benefits of self-study:

• Lower cost (unless it’s a free study group and shared materials)
• Self-imposed study schedule to fit your situation
• More focus on needed areas
• No travel required

This is a question we get a lot, and the answer is: 12.3 weeks. I’m just kidding, of course. The real answer is: It depends. I know, I know, the joke answer is more helpful. But here are some things you should consider when budgeting time for exam preparation:

• Work Experience. If you are an HR generalist with significant experience in all of the functional areas, you most likely won’t require as much study time as the specialists. If your career has been limited to one or two of the functional areas, you probably have a much longer row to hoe.
• Educational background. While the PHR and SPHR exams are “based on work experience,” anyone who has taken the exams must admit that they have a decidedly academic flavor. If you have taken a college-level HR course, that will probably reduce the study time needed, and if it was a recent course, you may not require a lot of other preparation. Also, being in the practice of studying, taking tests, and (dare I say?) cramming, will also help.
• Reading speed and comprehension. How fast do you read? Do you remember things that you read once, or do you need to review? Everyone is different in this regard, so you’ll have to adapt your study schedule to fit your style.
• Your schedule. How many hours per week can you devote to studying? Obviously, this is the most important consideration in determining how many weeks prior to the exam you need to begin your preparation.

So, how long does it take? The truth is that some people study two hours a day for six months, and others put in an hour or two the day before the exam. Most prep courses run between nine and 12 weeks. Based on our monthly sales, it looks like most people begin their preparation about three months prior to the exam (at least that’s when they buy the material; when they actually start reading is another matter). If I were putting together a study schedule, I would start by setting aside five hours per week for ten weeks and adjusting that schedule based on the factors mentioned above.

Sticking to that schedule, though, is another thing altogether.