Because of my involvement in the HR certification scene, I get asked often about PHR study materials. More often than not I recommend HRCP for people with a little money to spend, but the message below prompted a thought.
Hi! I am signed up for the PHR and looking for study materials. Since I’m in transition, my budget is super tight so I’d love to get something for less than retail prices. Thank you! Amy in Orlando
If I had to start all over again and study with the limited budget I have, what would I use to prepare?
Studying on the cheap
First of all, I’d look through the various resources for the PHR and SPHR exams I’ve gathered over the past 24 months. There are some great tools in there that are totally free and would be a good place to find some help. But you’ll only get so far with free stuff. In truth, I’d probably just use the same resources to study as I did for the PHR exam last year.
- Two pack of HRCI practice exams $70
- Anne Bogardus PHR/SPHR book ~$40
- Any other practice exams available
I know there are a lot of people in transition right now and some of them are looking at certification as a way to help increase their marketability as a candidate. With that in mind, I’ve created a special discount code for the PHR study guide I wrote. If anyone uses “cheap” as their discount code during checkout, they get 50% off the price of the guide. Just my way of giving a helping hand to those who need it.
How to get your employer to pay for it
Other ideas come to mind, and I recently shot this video for the subscribers to the free RTPHR email newsletter. It might give you some thoughts on how to reduce your cost and maybe even get your employer to pick up the tab!
Email subscribers may need to click through to view the video.
I used the same study approach almost 2 years ago – bought the same book and took the same practice tests – and passed the PHR test on the 1st try. I heard so many mixed reviews about the SHRM study class & tools (plus the high cost) I was not sold it would help me pass.
Hey, Jennifer! SHRM’s stuff is just out of whack. $800? Seriously? Who’s going to spend ~$1000 total to get certified? That is insane. Thanks for the comment!
How hard is this exam? Really?
Hey, Leslie!
One of the biggest factors I’ve seen is 1) how good are you at test-taking and 2) how much time do you have to study? If you are good at taking tests and have the time to study, it’s really not that difficult. If you don’t have 1 or 2, that dramatically increases the difficulty.
Ben, this was the best thing you ever could have done for me, I have been looking for a way to get my PHR certification, and not have to pay alot because am a singal mom working at a call center as a CAE I thought this year I would get my taxes and invest in my career goal, but you have given me an way to save some of my money thanks so much god bless
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Glad I could help, Martha! Good luck.