HRCI SPHR Exam Actual Questions

Which of the following functional areas covers activities related to planning for and managing entry into and exit from the organization to meet changing business needs?

Correct Answer: A 🗳️
Answer option A is correct.
Workforce Planning and Employment covers activities related to planning for and managing entry into and exit from the organization to meet changing business needs. This includes practices for evaluating workforce requirements, recruitment and selection, developing an employer brand, managing records, establishing a succession plan, and exiting employees from the organization.
Answer option B is incorrect. Business Management and Strategy looks at the "big picture" of the organization and requires an understanding of overall business operations, basic knowledge of other functional areas in the organization, and the ability to interact and work effectively with those functions.
Answer option C is incorrect. Human Resource Development utilizes training, development, change, and performance management programs to ensure that individuals with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities are available when needed to accomplish organization goals.
Answer option D is incorrect. Employee and Labor Relations address the practices for building positive employment relationships in both union and nonunion environments. This includes employee relations programs, workplace policies and procedures, dispute resolution programs, and collective bargaining activities.
Chapter: Certifying Human Resource Professionals
Objective: Development of the Human Resource Body of Knowledge

According to Knowles, there are five key assumptions about how adults learn. One of the assumptions is the learner's need to know. Which of the following statements is best associated with the assumption of the learner's need to know?

Correct Answer: B 🗳️
Answer option B is correct.
The statement "I understand why I need to learn this" is an assumption that the learner understands the need to know the course material.
Answer option A is incorrect. The statement "I'm ready to learn this because what I learn will help me function better in some way" is an example of the assumption of the learner's readiness to learn.
Answer option C is incorrect. The statement "What I learn today will help me solve problems at my workplace tomorrow" is an example of the assumption of the learner's orientation to learning.
Answer option D is incorrect. The statement "I've got lots of valuable experience that I want to draw upon to help me as I learn" is an example of the assumption of the learner's experience.
Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter 5: Human Resource Development. Official PHR and
SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Adult Learning Processes and Learning Styles

As an HR Professional you must be familiar with the project management processes and the stakeholders of projects. All projects can map to the project management lifecycle. Which one of the following best describes the project management lifecycle?

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Answer option C is correct.
The project management lifecycle is the flow of project management activities through the five process groups of initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing.
Answer option A is incorrect. This answer describes the project life cycle - which is unique to each project; not universal to all projects.
Answer option B is incorrect. This answer describes the integrated nature of projects where performance in each knowledge area can affect the performance of all other knowledge areas.
Answer option D is incorrect. This answer describes project integration management - the coordination of all necessary project management processes throughout the nine knowledge areas of project management.
HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Project Management Concepts

The Department of Labor establishes the rules for unemployment insurance and associated claims. Who administers the unemployment?

Correct Answer: B 🗳️
Answer option B is correct.
Unemployment insurance claims are managed locally within each state, but federal rules do apply.
Answer option A is incorrect. Unemployment claims are not managed by the department of labor.
Answer option C is incorrect. Insurance companies do provide unemployment insurance, but it's the local state government that manages the claims.
Answer option D is incorrect. Each organization does not manage the unemployment claims.
Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Diversity Concepts

A correlation coefficient is an example of a type of what?

Correct Answer: B 🗳️
Answer option B is correct.
Qualitative analysis is a form of research that uses mathematical models such as correlation, correlation coefficient, and measures of central tendency to provide solutions to problems. Quantitative analysis attempts to measure historical data (B), a job evaluation measures the relative value of each job within the organization (C) and a learning matrix is a generic term that can be used to identify organizational learning strategies (D) . See Chapters 2 and 4 for more information.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

This nonmathematical forecasting technique brings the participants together to share and discuss their ideas about the forecast. The ideas are then ranked based on the groups input. What technique is discussed?

Correct Answer: C 🗳️
Answer option C is correct.
The nominal group technique is a nonmathematical forecasting technique in which participants meet in person and share ideas as in brainstorming sessions. The group discusses and ranks the forecasts collectively, not anonymously as in the Delphi technique.
Answer option A is incorrect. Management forecasts are predictions made by experienced managers considered to be subject matter experts in their field or in the organization.
Answer option B is incorrect. The Delphi technique uses rounds of anonymous surveys to predict a likely outcome. After each round of the survey, the results are tallied and a new survey can be resubmitted to the survey participants. Eventually, consensus is found among the group on forecasting, risks, and other organizational decisions.
Answer option D is incorrect. Brainstorming allows the group to discuss and share ideas, but it doesn't rank the ideas or forecasts.
Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter Four: Workforce Planning. Official PHR and
SPHR Certification Guide, HR Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

Your organization offers an employees' retirement benefit program that is covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The administrative responsibility for enforcement of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is divided among three government agencies. Which one of the following is not a government agency that helps to enforce ERISA?

Correct Answer: D 🗳️
Answer option D is correct.
The FDIC is not one of the three agencies that help to enforce the requirements of ERISA.
Answer options A, B, and C are incorrect. The IRS, Department of Labor, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation are the three agencies that do help to enforce the requirements of ERISA.
Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Employee Records Management

You are the HR Professional for your organization. You are discussing the status of your company's employees to determine who may be considered nonexempt versus exempt. Which one of the following types of employees can never be considered exempted from overtime provisions?

Correct Answer: A 🗳️
Answer option A is correct.
Manual workers, i.e. people that complete repetitive work with their hands, physical skill, and energy, can never be exempted from overtime pay.
Answer options B, C, and D are incorrect. Sales people, managers, and administrative assistants can be exempted from overtime pay.
Certification Institute, ISBN: 978-1-586-44149-4, Section III, The US HR Body of Knowledge.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Employee Records Management

Holly and Gary are HR Professionals in their organization and they are working to develop the strategic plan for their organization. Holly and Gary are using
SWOT analysis to help understand the needs of human, financial, technological, capital, and other aspects of their organization. What is SWOT?

Correct Answer: D 🗳️
Answer option D is correct.
SWOT is an analysis that can be used to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. It involves specifying the objective of the business venture or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to achieving that objective. A SWOT analysis may be incorporated into the strategic planning model.
It is a part of business policy that helps an individual or a company to make decisions. It includes the strategies to build the strength of a company and use the opportunities to make the company successful. It also includes the strategies to overcome the weaknesses of and threats to the company.
Answer option A is incorrect. This is not a valid definition of SWOT so this choice is incorrect.
Answer option B is incorrect. This is not a valid definition of SWOT so this choice is incorrect.
Answer option C is incorrect. This is not a valid definition of SWOT so this choice is incorrect.
Chapter: Core Knowledge Requirements for HR Professionals
Objective: Environmental Scanning Concepts

There are many different types of organizations that people create to accomplish business goals. Which business organization has just one person who is responsible for all decisions in the business, retains all profits, and has unlimited personal liability for all business decisions?

Correct Answer: B 🗳️
Answer option B is correct.
A sole proprietor is the owner of the business, has the authority over the business, and is responsible for all liabilities the business may incur. Sole proprietorships are the easiest organizations to create and generally to manage.
Answer option A is incorrect. Partnerships are formed with two or more people and the people involved generally share the decisions, profits, and liabilities.
Answer option C is incorrect. A limited liability company is similar to sole proprietorship, but the owner has limited liability and is somewhat protected from the faults and liabilities of the legal organization.
Answer option D is incorrect. A corporation is a legal entity that limits liabilities to the assets of the organization.
Reference: Professional in Human Resources Certification Study Guide, Sybex, ISBN: 978-0-470-43096-5. Chapter Four: Workforce Planning and Employment.
Chapter: Business Management and Strategy
Objective: Organizations