PHR/SPHR Certification Update: Week 5

Cascade’s very own Elizabeth Fuss is taking the PHR/SPHR study course offered this fall. Today she takes a break from her studies to write about about week five of the study program…

We are half way through the program and time to take the midterm for the HR Certification class. I really had no idea how I would fare. Like the real test, it was on the computer and gave me a score at the end. It was timed for 3 hours and had 165 questions. It’s a build up to the real thing, which is 4.5 hours long and 225 questions.

I was a little nervous, but also anxious to find out if my studying had been paying off. I have been utilizing all the different tools for the class and felt like my real-life, widely varied HR experience would pay off in the practical application of the knowledge.

As I went through and reviewed the questions, I could hear snippets from the webinar classes in my head. I also found myself referencing my own experiences with unions, unemployment, employee discipline, performance reviews, benefits and training. I was amazed at how much I knew directly from my own experiences.

I know I am right on track and scored above the goal the teacher had given us for the midterm. I still have some room to improve, but overall it went well. Even as I’m headed out of town I’ll be taking my Cds and flashcards along to fill in idle time. I only have about four weeks to close the gap, and I’m looking forward to December 1st. Test day.

Elizabeth