Practice questions are your most important study activity. After all, the HRCI Exams (PHR/SPHR/GPHR) are not a simple memory-recall, multiple-choice test. You have signed up for a four-hour, 200+ question multiple-choice exam with up to five question types. These include complex situational questions, short situational questions, formula-based questions, knowledge-based questions and interpretive questions. Each question type has its own purpose and pitfalls, which makes knowing how to get the most out of each question crucial.

Situational questions test your ability to identify the relevant and ignore irrelevant content. These questions tend to be lengthy so it is especially important to read and accurately identify the ACTUAL question, so that you can eliminate insignificant information.

Formula-based questions are more than just “solving for the median / mean”. There are about many formulas that you must know backwards and forwards, ranging from simple averages to Probability and Depreciation. You must know both the formula and how to perform the calculation in order to get the answer right.

Knowledge-based questions require you to know facts. These questions may ask about your knowledge of different HR laws. Sometimes you are asked to identify an example chart or graph, such as recognizing a Pareto chart.

Interpretational questions may also test your ability to deduce a situation or condition.

Specific Technique questions will ask you how to apply a tool or technique like a Guide-Chart Profile to evaluate the relative worth of each job by measuring compensable factors.

While there are some free PHR/SPHR/GPHR exam sample questions available online, that is just a start. As you move further along in your studies, you will probably want more and harder questions. Your best bet is to get quality questions in an exam simulator.

	Created by Elizabeth Rogers8284 over 8 years ago

Note on Five types of questions asked on exam, created by Elizabeth Rogers8284 on 01/11/2015.