Customer Reviews

PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just took the SPHR exam this morning (and passed), but I have to give this book a mixed review. It is essentially a general introduction to HR and its various specialities - what you might expect to find in a college-level "Intro to HR" textbook, with a chapter that explains the SPHR / HRCI, etc. In the author's defense, that is all she claims the book to be. The problem is, if you are seriously contemplating taking the SPHR exam, you are probably beyond needing a introduction to the field. In my opinion and experience, in order to pass the exam, you need to take practice tests. This book does come with a CD that contains flashcards and 4 practice tests (2 for PHR and 2 for SPHR), but they are only 55 questions each and thus a bit too narrow to really prepare you for the 225 question exam. I found the practice test available from certgear.com to be an excellent resource (best $60 I ever spent) and an excellent tool to combine with this book - just don't count on this book alone. Again, the author says pretty much the same thing - this book is an HR reference and introduction to the SPHR exam, not a "test prep" system. HJC

Anne M. Bogadus' Study Guide for the Professional In human Resources Certification is a useful supplement to use when studying for the exam. More than anything, it acts as a review for things the HR Professional should know. It definitely would be more useful for the PHR than for the SPHR because the strategic elements of Human Resources were not given much emphasis.

The accompanying CD with practice tests and flash cards was useful in helping to cement definitions clearly in my mind-- but at the same time, that is my main complaint about the book. It's usefulness was mainly in providing definitions and very basic information. In terms of putting that information to use at a higher functioning level, the guide was not helpful. The questions on the SPHR tend to be complex situational questions and this book was not adequate preparation for those questions. There were also several key issues that were covered on the SPHR exam, but weren't even mentioned in this book. (By the way, I passed the SPHR so this is not sour grapes.)

All that being said, if you are studying for the PHR or SPHR, you should use several different study guides to help in your studies. If you can only afford to purchase one guide, do not purchase this one.

I was fortunate to be one of the pilot readers of this book. I found it very interesting and informative. I think that the PHR/SPHR: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide is the book for which many of those preparing for the PHR/SPHR Certification Exam have been waiting! This study guide is a welcome addition to the materials already available. It is a clear and concise review of the Body of Knowledge. At first reading, it is quite apparent that Ms. Bogardus not only understands the material, but also presents it in such a manner that it is easy to comprehend the application of the terms, theories and procedures. The study guide includes cross-referencing, indicating where additional information and clarification may be found, and the self-assessment questions help the learner review the materials. In addition, excellent examples are presented, and the "Real Life Scenarios" assist even the seasoned professional in confirming his/her grasp of the application of the information. In my opinion, I believe you will find this Study Guide to be very beneficial in your preparation for the PHR/SPHR Certification Exam.

I used this book to study for the PHR exam. I took the exam in June 2007 and passed!

Let me give you some background. I have an MBA in Marketing and have 2.5 years of experience in recruiting and staffing. So, I do have HR experience, but not generalist experience. In other words, I have a pretty good knowledge of staffing and recruiting, but cursory knowledge of the rest of the HR world.

I bought this book because a friend of mine was using it as 1 of many resources in a prep course at a local jr. college. I only used this book, along with the practice exams from certgear.com. I had a very systematic way of studying. First, I printed out the 2007 Handbook from HRCI. Before I read a chapter on one of the Bodies of Knowledge, I read the Handbook section about learnings and competencies. I then read the chapter and took the test for that chapter that is on the included CD. I then repeated the process for the next chapter, except that I took the test for the previous chapter again. So, I read Chapter 2, took the test for Chapter 2, read Chapter 3, took the test for Chapters 2 and 3, etc. After I read the entire book (not an easy read!), I took the 2 extra PHR exams included on the CD. After that, I purchased the PHR practice tests from certgear.com and went through them.

I dedicated a month to this process. I probably put in 2 hours every day. I finished going through the certgear test a final time on Sunday night and then took the test Monday morning.

This process may work for you, but then it may not. In all, I think it has a lot to do with dedication, your comfort level with computer-based tests and your ability to absorb and apply principles. I hope this helps!

I passed the PHR exam on the first try with the help of this book. No study groups, no paid crash courses, no help from my neighbor, just this book! The CDs that come with this book are excellent, it includes flashcards and practice tests. Take them over and over, it represented the actual test questions well. Since I have minimal experience in this field, I am convinced that anyone can pass the PHR exam if they spend a little time snuggled up with this book.

I passed the SPHR examination in June 2004, after only a month and a half of preparation (besides years and years of experience) and credit the study guide with making it possible for me to acheive that result.

Anne Bogardus' book is not intended to be nor does it pretend to be a complete reference book for the entire body of HR knowledge. It is an excellent study guide and it provides references for the student to use for additional study in each of the six functional areas, should the results of the study guide's exams (three overall assessments plus one exam for each functional area) indicate that more work is needed before taking the certification exam.

I took the SPHR exam in June 2004 and passed, with the help of this book most definitely. In order to pass the exam, I highly recommend using numerous resources, because HRCI uses different terms that may not be found in any one book/resource. I used this book as a primer, and also used the SHRM Learning System, along with HR Management by Mathis, and began studying 6 months prior to the test date. This is a valuable book, and the test questions were helpful, but don't think that this book is the one and only resource that will help you pass the exam, because it won't suffice on its own. Another helpful hint: the practice questions in this book (and the practice questions in the SHRM Learning System) are MUCH easier than most of the questions on the exam, so be prepared!

I took the PHR exam today and passed on my first try. The only source of information I used was this study guide. Many of the questions on the exam read exactly like the review questions from the book. I highly recommend using this guide over some of the more expensive options.

I studied like mad two weeks prior to taking SPHR and would have to agree with B.Kwon's 12/05 review (below) that with HR experience, this was the only resource I needed to pass on first try. Got it on recommendation of a recruiter at work who definitely had less HR experience than I, and she not only passed but got an amazing if not dubious promotion out of it. Looked into certgear.com and instead plunked $45 or so to take HRCI's online practice exam. This book prepared me well enough to sail through HRCI's prep test; go ahead & get it. Just study like mad! :]

I passed the test and I have no working experience in HR. I read SHRM modules and did the study group. What really helped me was Anne B book - it all came together for me in this book. She is a wealth of HR information and its very current. She ties everything together so you get the full picture of HR and its relevance in business.
Without this book I would not have passed the test. Its essential for anyone studying for this exam. And its very interesting reading.