The Evolution of SHRM Certification: Part II—Changes to Exams

​SHRM certification is designed to reflect the HR competencies that are most relevant in today's world. The documents and exams that make up the program are continually enhanced and revised. To accomplish this, SHRM conducts a practice analysis every few years—a thorough, systematic research study of the profession—to ensure that SHRM certification remains current with trends in HR and events throughout the world of work.

This two-part article discusses the results of SHRM's most recent practice analyses and the changes based on these research efforts that will go into effect in May 2022.

Last month, Part I discussed updates to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK) and to eligibility requirements for candidates seeking to take the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams. Part II, below, discusses the research that drove modifications to the length and timing of the exams themselves.

Need for Adjustments to Exam Length and Timing

Feedback from people who took the SHRM certification exams showed a need for two kinds of adjustments: to the length of the exam (i.e., number of questions asked) and to the time limit (i.e., number of minutes allotted to answer the questions and finish the exam).

In the exam development field, the term used for the number of questions that have to be answered correctly for a test-taker to pass the exam is the "standard" or "cut score." Test-takers who do not meet the standard or cut score fail the exam. "Speededness" is the term used to describe the extent to which the time limit for an exam alters a test-taker's performance by needing to rush to finish.

In response to examinees' feedback, SHRM set out to determine whether and how to make and optimize adjustments to exam length and speededness. Once any adjustments were made, we would determine how the exams would be affected in terms of their reliability, validity, pass rates and scoring accuracy.

The goal was to preserve the reliability and validity of each SHRM certification exam, while giving most examinees sufficient opportunity to answer all the questions within the allotted time and without rushing to finish.

External research studies were conducted on exam length, speededness, accuracy of scoring and pass rates.

Number of Scored Questions

SHRM's current certification exams have 130 scored questions. Of current test-takers, 80 percent finish the exams with time remaining.

According to the research studies on length and speededness, reducing the number of scored questions to 110 would cause virtually no change in exam reliability or validity. In addition, the percentage of test-takers who finish with time remaining would increase to 90 percent.

Reducing the number of scored questions would also cause no change in the accuracy of scoring and pass rates, according to the research study covering these factors. The exams would continue to be scored accurately. Calculations also showed that with fewer questions, pass rates for both exams would likely go up, with the greatest increase projected for the SHRM-SCP.

Unscored Field-Test Questions

Effective with the May 2022 testing window, there will be 134 questions on each SHRM certification exam. Of these items, 110 questions will be scored and 24 questions will be unscored or "field-tested." The field-testing process, by which we regularly add and remove exam questions, helps us keep the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams fair and up-to-date.

Before new questions are officially added to an exam, they are tried out "in the field." Several field-test items are mixed into the exams during each window, but the test-takers' answers to these questions will not "count" toward their final scores. Because examinees don't know which questions are which—scored or unscored—it is crucial to answer all of them.

After the testing window closes, we analyze the performance of the field-test items. Following several review cycles, the items that meet our performance standards become operational as scored questions on subsequent exams.

Of the 134 questions that will be on the next SHRM certification exam, 110 questions will be used to calculate the examinee's score. The 24 field-test items won't be part of that calculation. In the long run, however, those items will play an important part in SHRM's ongoing development of future exams.

Amount of Time to Take the Exam

Effective May 2022, the total testing time for each SHRM certification exam is three hours and 40 minutes, divided into two equal sections of 110 minutes. Our research showed that 90 percent of test-takers will finish both sections within the time allotted, and likely with time remaining in each section.

The original time limit for the exams was four hours, but the new shorter time is optimal according to the speededness study (see above).

Examinees must complete the first section of the exam and clear any flagged or unanswered questions before proceeding to the second section. Each section must be completed independently; examinees cannot move from one to the other. The clock runs continuously during each section, including while a test-taker might take an unscheduled 15-minute break.

Therefore, SHRM recommends that examinees who complete the first section of their exam with any time remaining should take their unscheduled break before moving on to the second section.

Two Types of Exam Questions 

The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams are based on the information described in the SHRM BASK, which consists of nine behavioral competencies and one technical competency, HR Expertise, which is divided into 14 HR functional areas.

Both certification exams feature two types of questions: 1) knowledge items, which assess candidates' knowledge and application of knowledge; and 2) situational judgment items, which assess candidates' problem-solving, behavior and decision-making skills.

The scored questions as well as the unscored field-test questions on the exams include both knowledge items and situational judgment items.

HR-specific knowledge items (KIs) cover the 14 functional areas of the SHRM BASK's technical competency. Foundational knowledge items (FKIs) cover the nine behavioral competencies. Each knowledge item has one correct answer, and candidates will receive credit for selecting it.

Situational judgment items (SJIs) present realistic work-related scenarios, followed by four possible strategies or courses of action to resolve or address the issues raised. All four options may be effective, but candidates will receive credit only for selecting the answer that describes the best or most effective strategy or course of action (as determined by a panel of experienced HR professionals).

In sum, half the questions on each SHRM certification exam cover the HR functional areas (50 percent KIs) and half the questions cover the behavioral competencies (10 percent FKIs plus 40 percent SJIs).

Part I of this article appeared in the Jan. 20, 2022, issue of the Certification Update.

Nancy A. Woolever, MAIS, SHRM-SCP, is vice president of certification at SHRM.