SHRM Study Materials Leave Candidates Unsure They Are Ready

“Hi everyone! I’m just beginning my journey into Human Resources and plan to self-study for the aPHR certification to build a solid foundation. For those of you who have taken the exam recently, I’d love to hear about your experience! What study materials or practice tests did you find most helpful (e.g., Pocket Prep, HRCI official guides, specific books, etc.)? How close were the practice questions to the actual exam? Is there anything you wish you had known before starting your preparation? Any”

“Spending the entire day today cramming. I've been working almost exclusively in Microsoft for the last year and a half, so I felt pretty decent leading up to this. Been watching some YouTube videos over the last couple days just to spend spare time preparing, and everything that I've heard has me freaked out now. Apparently there are a lot of tricky questions, a lot of Microsoft trying to put you in a position where you're guessing the correct answer based on circumstances, and to be”

“Ok, after reading a ton of advice on how to prep for this exam, I noticed two names that constantly pop up: Pocket Prep and the Sandra Reed study guide. I actually signed up for HRstudypro and it was exceptional. I didn't find much value in Pocket Prep b/c it tested heavily on HR laws that the actual exam barely even touches and due to time constraints didn't explore other study guides. I ditched PP after about six quizzes. HRstudypro, on the other hand, was rigorous and made the real ex”

“I'm preparing for the SHRM-CP and a few older posts on this subreddit recommended jewel808 on quizlet as a great, free studying resource. Unfortunately, the link to their profile is now dead with no archive on wayback machine (as far as I'm aware). Does anyone know if there's an archive somewhere of their work that's available online? submitted by /u/bbweltschmerz [link] [comments]”

“Thank you all who commented on my post about whether to schedule the exam in the testing center or remote. I have another question on readiness. I have taken the practice exam in the portal twice and scored 82 & 81% respectively. I have also been watching the Sorta Healthy Videos. I did all of the chapter and section quizzes. Am I ready to schedule the exam? I am thinking of doing it late next week or after Labor Day. Thanks submitted by /u/OkImagination262 [link] [comments”

“Is anyone down to arrange a virtual meeting to practice for the practical exam (assessments, program design, consultation....) ? My practical is months away from my live pro sessions, so im worried i will be rusty. So if anyone else is in similar situation lmk and we can take turns practicing being each others clients and trainers! submitted by /u/BedroomFew4429 [link] [comments]”

“I just got an email from HRCI announcing they now have a PHR professional certification through coursera . What do we think of this? Would it hold any weight on its own? Be a good/cheap test prep option? While I have performed HR for over 5 years, I do not have any formal HR training. I’m the only HR person at my work, but often my boss doesn’t trust my input because of my informal learned-as-I-went training. I have been considering getting my PHR as a way to say “See! I do know things!” But I a”

“I have the 2025 version 8.2, but missed the deadline to take the exam in May. Should the information still be enough to prepare me for the current exam? submitted by /u/J_tv_T [link] [comments]”

“Upon receiving advice from fellow redditors in this thread, I've applied to take the SHRM-CP exam and am now looking for advice for how to prep! I understand the upcoming testing window is from December-February so I have a few months for prep Background: About 3-4 years of full-time experience that is not HR related. Most HR knowledge I have is from completing the HRCI Human Resource Associate Course on Coursera that was designed to prep for the aPHR exam. Ideally I'd like to prep for t”

“Hi all, I’m currently studying for my SHRM-CP to take the test in January and I’m using the SHRM certification prep system. I am just a bit confused about the style of questions at the end of each module. I see everyone say the situational judgement questions are the hardest part and most of the exam, but I don’t think this system is giving me any. Here’s an example of how the questions are: Which is considered a best practice for sustaining engagement efforts over time? (And then gives multiple”

“I work in a PEO, and I have about 5 years experience. 1 year in payroll and 4 in our HR Center. I’m currently studying for my PHR cert since about the beginning of June. I was a bit more lenient with my studying the first month, but really locked in the last two months. I’m scheduled to take it in 18 days. I’ve been studying using PocketPrep, and the 6th Edition PHR, PHRi, and SPHR, SPHRi Human Resources Certification Complete Study Guide by Sandra Reed. I’ve read the entire book, minus the SPHR”

“Hey guys, I have about 4 years in handling payroll/hiring at small businesses in my area and I decided to gear up to take the PHR exam and was wondering if you guys had any solid recommendations on good study guides/ books? My uncle who is also in the field lent me a couple of guides, however they are from 2019 so i’m worried they might be outdated. If anyone has any recommendations or advice for guides and the exam, please let me know! submitted by /u/linearartist [link] [comm”

“If anyone has any words of advice for efficient ways to study content from the AHPP drop some knowledge. Im currently studying for PCM, PJM and CE since those tests have a lot of overlap. In the past, I've used the Wiley study guide to read specific sections of the AHPP while integrating note taking, but I find it so difficult to retain the info. I'm wondering if there's a more effective way to absorb the info. The writing is dense and exhaustive. Do I just need to accept that studyi”

“I am currently using Pocket Prep wondering if anybody taking the new exam found a different app to be more similar? It seems that Pocket Prep is and I don’t see any exams with any research questions in it and I do know that there are people getting research questions. submitted by /u/lindostars67 [link] [comments]”

“Background: I took the PHR in May and scored 485. I used primarily Prepsaret and the HRCI study material. When I took the PHR, it was NOTHING like what I studied on Prepsaret. This time around I'm using the Sandra Reed book. Is it worth investing in Prepsaret again? Or should I try Pocket Prep? I'm going to wait for the second chance insurance freebie to come up before I sign up again incase I fail. submitted by /u/Entire_Camp5542 [link] [comments]”

“Looking into transitioning to HR coming from ~4 years of non-HR related full-time experience. I completed the HRCI Course on Coursera that's supposed to prep for the exam, and I'm just wondering if taking this exam would actually help me in my job search, especially since I believe it's about $400 just for one attempt. I know experience would be better but I fear I don't have that. TIA for any advice! submitted by /u/zerothoughts100 [link] [comments]”

“Anyone was eligible for SHRM-CP Exam and student discount with a non HR Related Degree? I have been contacting their customer service for the past week about having technical issues and also about eligibility as student majoring in Management and not HR Their customer service replied to me about the technical issues but didn't answer the question about my major and their next two days are off so I'm still waiting for a reply but I need an answer sooner I really don't have much time b”

“I’ve been back and forth on going for the SHRM CP, but I keep holding back. I already have 6 years of HR experience under my belt, but my background has been pretty focused. I’ve never actually been exposed to benefits administration or open enrollment. I know the exam covers those concepts, but almost every job posting I see lists SHRM as optional or preferred anyway. Its got me wondering if dropping the time and money to fill those education gaps is actually worth it, or if recruiters and hiri”

“Hi everyone! I’m planning to take the SHRM-CP exam and would love to hear about your experiences. I have 2 years of HR experience and a BA degree, and I’m looking for recommendations on how to prepare. What study resources did you use? How long did it take you to get ready? How was the exam experience, and is there anything you wish you knew before taking it? I’d appreciate any advice, tips, or insights you can share. Thank you! submitted by /u/Important_String_362 [link] [comm”

“hi everyone! i’m an educ grad planning to venture into hr and i’m preparing to take the chra (certified human resource associate) exam. i was wondering if anyone has a reviewer or study materials they’re willing to share. also, for those who have already taken the exam: how many items are there in total? which topics should i focus on the most? how difficult did you find it? i’d really appreciate any tips or advice. thank you! submitted by /u/Pretty_Lavishness796 [link] [commen”

“I have a few questions, if someone who recently gave the exam shed some light Is it still worth it in 2026 ? Regardless if you can share study material? submitted by /u/no_0ne_ [link] [comments]”

“I don't like these tests either, but if it really only is a 6 minute test like it claims, I'd do it anyway. It's burdensome but not all that burdensome.”

“So I failed the SHRM exam, and I figured I would be close as I have in past certifications.In call center, jobs just missed the test by a little bit. I got a 190, and 200 is passing. submitted by /u/Accomplished_Safe465 [link] [comments]”

“I scheduled the exam for December. I got the study book for 26-27 from their website but can’t afford the bask study system. I have five years of generalist experience altho the tasks were more in line with an HR manager role. What study tools would you recommend? submitted by /u/Vegetable_Bat4866 [link] [comments]”

“For my MMI pros from previous cycles... any tips? Especially in terms of time management. Like if they give you 7 minutes total, how much of that should I take up? I assume they ask follow up questions with the extra time? submitted by /u/WHun22 [link] [comments]”

“The study guides through the website are sooooo expensive! But I want to make sure the books on Amazon are actually legit and helpful. Any advice appreciated ❤️ submitted by /u/NegativeCheetah7502 [link] [comments]”

“After reading through sooo many posts on here about the SHRM-CP exam I wanted to share that I passed! For studying I primarily used Pocket Prep. I put in about 33 hours on it. (It keeps track of how long you study). Definitely helped with showing me how the questions would be worded. I did find the PP questions to be easier than the actual exam. The answers were a lot more obvious on PP as well. I also used Chat GPT which I found to be super helpful. I was able to have it create study schedules”

“I took my SHRM-CP on July 15th and got my preliminary pass but I see that the official results don't come until three weeks later. I am anxious that I may still get a fail even though I got the preliminary pass. Has anyone ever gotten a prelim pass and then gotten failed officially? submitted by /u/JellyBean-Queen420 [link] [comments]”

“Hello, I’m hoping to take the PHR exam sometime next year but haven’t applied yet because I’m not sure if I’m ready. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in HR, 1 year of HR experience and 1 year of TA experience. I talked to my manager and she thinks I should apply but after going through some of the PHR posts on this subreddit I feel a little nervous… If you used the Certification Prep HRCI offers please let me know if you found it helpful. Was it similar to the”

“I am scheduled to test tomorrow. I have read the book multiple times and taken notes. Done the quizzes multiple times. I have done 3 practice test. I am doing extra work through quizlet. I am getting into my own head. Please help me calm my nerves or maybe tell me where to put some focus for the last 12 hours. submitted by /u/AdMany9431 [link] [comments]”

“I am taking the PHR exam on Friday and have been studying for months, also an HRBP for context of work. I’ve been using the practice tests and exams through HRCI and have been scoring 75-85%. The two practice exams I scored average 65%. Any advice on the final days of studying? Should I be focusing on the 2 practice exams or overall all lessons/ practice tests? Did anyone also feel that the test was hardier/easier than the practice tests? Edit: this was removed by automod. I am an HR professiona”

“So once upon a time (2022) I was prepping to get my CLTD and never did get it. Life got in the way. Flash forward to now and I want to chase it. However, my company will only reimburse $1,500/yr. It'd be enough to cover the test. Can I use my old book and still pass? Is there supplemental material people reccomend that won't break the bank? submitted by /u/LilithStorme [link] [comments]”

“I take my SHRM-CP exam in a week and my anxiety is through the roof. Im mostly nervous of the random one off theories and random ways of thinking thatI keep seeing yet I’ve never heard of. Do those actually show up on the exam? submitted by /u/Obvious_Broccoli_141 [link] [comments]”

“Guidely sectional pdf bundle is easier or exam level? submitted by /u/aasthasaraf [link] [comments]”

“Hi all, I'm trying to figure out whether I should try it. I'm a middle-aged warehouse/inventory manager trying to up my game and get some certs to back up my 30+ years experience. I breezed through high school and junior college thanks to a semi-eidetic memory, and I never really learned to study because I didn't have to. I tried online university about 10 years ago and fell flat on my face. I did take some random CPIM test questions (and got about 50% right) and already do understan”

“I am freshly graduated with my bachelors degree in Human Resources Management and I just started as an HR Coordinator for a midsize company! I am taking my SHRM-CP exam in December and I was hoping to hear some of your most helpful tips or study advice for the exam. I have heard a lot of opinions on the exam. Some have told me it was incredibly challenging while others have said it was easier than they expected. What was your experience? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Grouchy_Pos”

“My apologies if this has already been asked, but I couldn’t find this specific question. Back in April, I passed the aPHR courses offered by Coursera. I had accepted a new job, also in April, and have not studied since or taken my aPHR exam. I have 2.5 years of HR employment experience. That said, would the aPHR study materials and notes adequately prepare me for skipping the aPHR exam and move to taking the PHR exam? submitted by /u/thunderp00n [link] [comments]”

“This has been asked ad nauseam probably, however I’m still curious given the ages of the post. Ive been combing through Freida/Emra and also have been asking other attendings that were in selection committees once. There doesnt seem to be a consensus and i have a multiple part question: Is it worth it if you don’t take Step 1 but take Step 2, given that apparently some bigger(?)/academic programs will filter you out automatically (? Idk the veracity of this claim)? Are you screened out of VSLOs”

“Hi everyone. I'm a current HR Compensation Analyst in higher education and I am looking to hopefully take the Certified Compensation Professional courses in the future, but currently my budget is not so receptive. I want to study for it as cheaply as I can so that when I get to the point of paying for it myself (or if my employer finally has the budget to let me) I can have a knowledge base in addition to my experience. I'm almost 3 years into my role, but it is a new area for me within”

“I’m a Global HRBP with 8 years of experience and I am looking for certs/CE resources to help keep me fresh and stay up to date on changing trends, outside of things that I can find on LinkedIn. I have roughly a $2k budget allotted by my VP for training related to AI implementation for our Department (this is a requirement for spending approval). I report directly to the VP and he is wanting me to eventually help other team member become more comfortable with AI use. I was recently given access t”

“I greatly benefited personally by the various reddit posts about their SHRM-SCP experience so wanted to also document my own thoughts for anyone else that is going through the process. For context, I started my HR career in 2015 in hospitality and since moved through various positions and industries in HR. I have HR experience "in the field" as a HR Generalist, HRBP for a US region, and now HR Strategy for North America. I got my PHR in 2018 and have not studied for any exams of this n”

“After months of studying, I’m proud to say I passed my SHRM-CP exam last week! I wanted to share my experience and offer advice for anyone taking the exam during the next testing window. First, the cheat sheet from this post really helped me frame the SJI questions correctly. I attached images of the cheat sheet for people to use, thank you so much for that post u/Aggravating _Meal7892 !! https://www.reddit.com/r/humanresources/s/EOK2hqlJfc One thing I would add to that cheat sheet: the correct”

“To anyone else that is testing this month, good luck! No one knows I am taking the SHRM-CP test except my husband and sisters. I didn’t tell my work that I’m taking it because I’ve only been there 90 days and it’s kind of one of those things that I should have done before, since I’ve been in HR for 13 years. They know I don’t have it. I am nervous, I’ve used Pocket Prep almost exclusively with lots of researching terms I don’t know. I also finished my AAS in HR a few years ago so the business kn”

“Does anyone have any second hand materials for study such as Inman available? Preparing to take the exam late August or September! submitted by /u/Soph10122 [link] [comments]”

“Hi! I am taking my SHRM-CP Exam in less than a week! I probably have looked through as many reddit posts about this exam as possible and not gonna lie a little nervous based on the mixed reviews I've been seeing! Seems like the exam is worded trickily and lots of people feel like they're failing throughout the whole exam... So far, I've used PocketPrep, Prepsaret, All In One SHRM textbook, and the SHRM app to study. I've also watched a ton of Angela Murry videos on Youtube. I wou”

Passed both

“I'm seeking guidance on what would help me move from HR Specialist to HRBP or ER Roles. I'm currently stuck between getting the SHRM, PHR, or Employee Relations certificate from Cornell. Experience: Overall i have 5 years of hr experience as recruiter, coordinator, generalist and specialist. I have been exposed to TA, LOA, benefits, payroll, and some ER (I have knowledge of the overall investigation process) but I want to start getting into these type of roles more, so which certificate”

“I am taking my PHR exam tomorrow and I’m super nervous. I’ve answered all the questions on PocketPrep and done all 3 mock exams (averaging between 70-80%). I have a score of 96% on PocketPrep. I also read the Sandra Reed book from 2024. I’ve seen so many mixed reviews about people saying the PocketPrep was way harder and others say it’s easier than the actual test and I don’t know who to believe. I can’t really do anything about it at this point but words of wisdom/experience is helpful. s”

“Should I worry about it ? I have experience in service cloud but I haven't prepared for the exam itself really. submitted by /u/TarnishedHoman [link] [comments]”

“If you use healthstream through work there’s a section that has free CE courses and you can search by ones targeted to your role.”

“I have about 5 years of HR experience now, and want to get my SHRM-CP certification to extend my knowledge and boost my resume. I would take it this coming winter. so, my study plan would be going through the SHRM learning system, and doing a 10 question practice quiz on both the SHRM practice app and pocket prep for the next 5ish months. It's hard to know how much to study, does this sound reasonable? Keep in mind cost isn't a factor since my company will pay for this. submitted b”

“UW first pass 75% but a bit inflated as it wasn’t timed. Planning to do incorrect now, but should I do another pass with timed sessions or move to MKSAP? TIA submitted by /u/TyrosineKinases [link] [comments]”

“I just passed the SHRM-SCP and I have heard that it is very different than the SPHR. I want to knock these out back to back and get it over with. How hard is it to make that switch? Is the SPHR more driven by law, math, and other items that were not on the SCP? submitted by /u/Beautiful-Edge337 [link] [comments]”

“I got my preliminary pass today and I’m super stoked. Honestly while I was taking the exam I was very unsure, not because I didn’t know the content but there were so many questions where two answers could’ve been the one. I primarily used Mometrix to study and I would say that helped a ton! The only other study material I used was PocketPrep! I studied for about a month. I did 200 practice questions on PocketPrep and one full length exam (I scored a 93%). Mometrix was harder but much more like t”

“Hello everyone, I'm an IEPT (from Mexico) and I'm looking for textbooks to study from to prepare for the CPTE (in Canada). I would really appreciate it if anyone could share any of these books if you have them available digitally. Thank you so much! Here's the list: - O'Sullivan & Schmitz's Physical Rehabilitation , 8th ed. (2024) — Fulk & Chui - Goodman and Fuller's Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist , 5th ed. (2021) - Essentials of Cardiopulmonar”

“I failed the exam in January by 10 points. Took the practice exam a few weeks ago and passed with a 200. I Was really hoping to take the post exam, but I realized that it’s gone off the learning system. I know there is other material out there with other tests, but I really was hoping to use the post exam that used to be there because it comes directly from Shrm. I test in one week. Just really nervous even though I know I’m improving. Any tips or advice? submitted by /u/Obvious_Cand”

“I’m in california just got my hours approved and need to schedule the exam. Any tips and tricks are appreciated. Im planning on getting Jade learning a month before my exam and I ordered a bunch of Mike Holt books. I’m also listening to the Paul Abernathy podcast while at work. Not sure what else I can do. submitted by /u/changowango00 [link] [comments]”

“I’m looking to connect with anyone who has recently gone through the 9 fundamental courses with Captus to obtain their designation! submitted by /u/One-Situation6866 [link] [comments]”

“Hi everyone, I studied a book bundle (Leadership & navigation, people, workplace, organization), practiced endless times on the tests, paid a ridiculous amount on an online course with a qualified instructor for 4 months. But I still failed my exam today even tho I followed procedures as you would in real-life & based on theories and cycles. I’m planning to take the test a second time on the second test window. Any tips, tricks, or resources that helped you to pass it? Help a sis out 🫩”