SHRM Certification Best Test Practices, Part 2: How to Use the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK)

Preparing for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam can feel like a daunting task. If the thought “I wish there was a study tool out there that would outline exactly which HR knowledge and competencies appear on the SHRM exams” has crossed your mind, you’re not alone. Look no further than the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (SHRM BASK)!

Everyone preparing for the SHRM exams should be using the SHRM BASK. Why? The SHRM BASK is at the core of SHRM exam preparation and removes the mystery by revealing the HR concepts that make up the SHRM exams. It is literally the blueprint for both the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams. Think about what a blueprint tells you: When you familiarize yourself with the blueprint for a building, you understand how the building is constructed. Likewise, when you familiarize yourself with the blueprint for the SHRM certification exams, you understand how the exams are constructed.

While there are many exam preparation tools to complement your knowledge and experience, understanding the differences between them is a key factor in achieving success on test day. Only SHRM-developed preparation products offer comprehensive insights into SHRM’s exams because they are built using the same blueprint as the exams.

Let’s start with the basics. What is the SHRM BASK? 

What the SHRM BASK is:

• The comprehensive test blueprint for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams.
• A list of HR competencies, sub-competencies, key concepts, and Proficiency Indicators from which the exam questions are developed.
• A guide to differentiate the content tested on the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams.
• A free interactive resource to build a personalized study plan to prepare for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam.
• The foundation for SHRM exam preparation products, including the SHRM Learning System, webinars, and Ace Your SHRM Certification Exam study guide and accompanying workbooks.

What the SHRM BASK is not:

• A list of practice questions. (See the SHRM Learning System and SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP workbooks for SHRM-developed practice questions.)
• A compilation of test-taking hacks. (See the Ace Your SHRM Certification Exam study guide and SHRM webinars for test-taking tips from prior SHRM exam takers.)
• A practice test for each exam level. (See the SHRM Learning System for full-length, timed, practice tests made up of previously administered test questions.
• A batch of flashcards. (See the SHRM Learning System for printable or virtual flashcards.)

Now that you understand what the SHRM BASK is, and that pairing it with other SHRM offerings provides an efficient and effective arsenal of knowledge and practice material, how can you and other aspiring certification-seekers effectively use the SHRM BASK to prepare for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams?

Follow these four, simple proven steps to achieve success on test day!

1. Get to know the SHRM BASK as the exam blueprint.

Understanding exactly what HR-related concepts are fair game to appear on either exam is vitally important to success. The SHRM BASK, and by extension, the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams, cover six content domains: three knowledge domains—People, Organization, and Workplace—and three competency clusters—Business, Leadership, and Interpersonal.

Familiarize yourself with the competencies in the SHRM BASK’s Table of Contents and use them to map out your study plan, based on your areas of strength and the areas where you will benefit from additional support.

The SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams each have 134 questions. On the exams, you will encounter Situational Judgment Items testing effectiveness of various actions using scenario-based questions within each behavioral competency cluster, as well as Knowledge Items testing mastery of HR knowledge within each knowledge domain.

Familiarize yourself with the SHRM BASK’s competency framework, including sub-competencies, key concepts, and Proficiency Indicators.

• Behavioral Competencies: Half the questions on both exams (50%) test Behavioral Competencies through situational judgment and foundational knowledge multiple-choice questions.
• HR Functional Knowledge Domains: Half the questions on both exams (50%) test HR Functional Area Domain content, specifically called the HR Technical Expertise competency.

2. Don’t neglect the Proficiency Indicators that differentiate between exam levels.

The Proficiency Indicators define what competent HR behavior and performance look like in practice. These indicators reflect the foundational level of the SHRM BASK framework. However, they are critical to developing a focused study plan because they differentiate the content found on either the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam.

Focus on the Proficiency Indicators to identify SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP level content.

• SHRM-CP examinees should focus on the Proficiency Indicators for All HR Professionals (i.e., content focused on early-career through midcareer operational HR tasks and duties).
• SHRM-SCP examinees should focus on the Proficiency Indicators for Advanced HR Professionals (i.e., content focused on senior and executive strategic-level tasks). They are also expected to be familiar with content for All HR Professionals for people they likely supervise.  

Review these helpful tips to incorporate the Proficiency Indicators into your study plans and prepare for test day.

Focus on “how” versus “what” the Proficiency Indicators outline, applying the knowledge to the HR profession.

• When reviewing behavioral competencies, think of how to apply the Proficiency Indicator as a call to action to determine an effective course of action, solve a problem, or make a decision.

When reviewing the Proficiency Indicators, consider the broad landscape of universal HR best practice, rather than what occurs in your organization.

• Exam questions are specifically designed by global SHRM-certified subject matter experts to test HR best practices. 

If you are unsure which exam level is right for you, review SHRM’s eligibility criteria for both exam levels.

3. Organize your study plan.

The SHRM BASK is designed as the framework for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams, and the exams test a broad range of topics. Naturally, it follows that a sound exam preparation plan should be devised using the information within the SHRM BASK. Make no mistake, the SHRM BASK is a robust document. While it may feel overwhelming at first, most of the information should be familiar to HR practitioners and generalists.

If you are specialized in a specific HR function, or you work in an “HR accountable” type role with responsibility for managing HR, you may need to enhance your study plan approach. Keep these things in mind as you map out your study plan:

Use the SHRM BASK as a study outline, bridging the framework of the SHRM BASK to other SHRM preparation products and practice questions.

• Do NOT try to memorize the SHRM BASK. It is a huge document, and the exam has only 134 questions. Keep things in perspective.
• Do NOT overstudy a few areas, losing sight of the full picture. Yes, address the areas you need additional support, but continue to refresh concepts you feel you already possess a strong mastery of as well.

Both exams cover each of the six content areas extensively, not just one or two topics within a competency cluster or a knowledge domain.

• Be honest with yourself about the areas where you need more study support. You know yourself best.

Focus your preparation and mental approach toward a global HR best practices approach. The SHRM BASK and the SHRM exam questions are developed and validated by SHRM-certified subject matter experts who live and work in HR across the globe. 

• Avoid applying the SHRM BASK knowledge and competencies to your specific employer and vice versa.

Remember, if you don’t see a concept or topic in the SHRM BASK, it will not be on the SHRM exams!

4. Pair the SHRM BASK with SHRM-developed exam prep resources.

SHRM offers excellent and proven resources to pair with the SHRM BASK on your journey toward SHRM certification that meet your schedule and your financial needs. Only SHRM-developed products provide accurate insights into the SHRM exams and contain previously administered SHRM exam questions repurposed as practice questions for your use. No other product can offer this, as SHRM questions are proprietary and owned by SHRM, never to be distributed to other organizations!

Remember, the SHRM BASK is completely free. Develop your study plan, identify your areas of strength and weakness, and then discover which SHRM products are right for you!

These practice questions, and much more, can be found throughout SHRM’s other products:

SHRM Learning System:

• The SHRM Learning System is the most comprehensive SHRM exam preparation product, offering everything you need in one comprehensive package.
• Comes complete with pre-assessments, a timed 134-question practice test to simulate test day, and 2,700+ practice questions.
• Multiple study options: the self-paced Self Study option; virtual or in-person instructor-led courses with our SHRM-certified prep course instructors; and Education Partner course options for students at a university near you!

SHRM Study Guide & Study Aids

• Ace Your SHRM Certification Exam is SHRM’s study guide to demystify the SHRM certification exams. It includes 40 unique SHRM exam questions for practice, along with tips, guidelines, and facts about the exams you can’t find anywhere else!
• The SHRM-CP Workbook and SHRM-SCP Workbook each offer an additional unique 40 SHRM exam questions for practice, designed to give the reader a glimpse into the exams, including rationales for the correct responses for the practice questions so you can better understand how the SHRM questions are developed and how you can succeed.
• SHRM offers several webinars and other e-learning tools outlining best practices for exam success.

SHRM is invested in you and your commitment to succeed and grow in the HR profession. For many, that begins with obtaining SHRM certification. These products are truly designed to support you on your preparation journey by offering realistic insights into the exam design. You have made the commitment to invest in your future. We know you have a choice about how to prepare, and we recommend you now give yourself the best chance to succeed by utilizing these critical resources that give you the best chance to pass your SHRM certification exam.

Part 3 of this article will appear in the September 2024 issue of the Certification Update. Not a SHRM member yet? Save hundreds on SHRM preparation resources and exam fees by simply becoming a SHRM member, while acquiring all of the amazing benefits to truly elevate yourself, the workplace, and the HR profession through SHRM membership.

Hanna Evans, MPS, SHRM-CP, is a Senior Specialist for Certification at SHRM. Charles Glover, M.S., is the Manager of Exam Development & Accreditation at SHRM.