PSHRA-CP study plan
PSHRA-CP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Recruitment and Selection Processes
Map the full recruitment life cycle from requisition approval through offer acceptance, noting where HR controls versus advises
Compare internal versus external sourcing methods and match each to appropriate vacancy types
Outline the steps of a job analysis and translate outputs into a job description and candidate specification
Build a sourcing plan for three distinct role types (high-volume, specialized, leadership)
Your checkpoint
One-page recruitment life-cycle diagram plus a 40-question Domain 2 practice set scored at 70% or higher
Recruitment and Selection Processes
Differentiate screening methods (application review, phone screen, assessments) and state the purpose of each stage
Design a structured, behavior-based interview guide with anchored scoring for one benchmark role
Compute and interpret selection metrics including yield ratios, time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and offer acceptance rate
Explain reliability and validity concepts and identify which selection tools are defensible for which decisions
Your checkpoint
Completed structured interview guide with scoring rubric and a worked metrics worksheet showing all four computed ratios
Recruitment and Selection Processes & Compliance, Documentation and Policy Development
Apply adverse impact analysis (four-fifths rule) to a sample selection dataset and write a short interpretation
Identify the legal constraints on pre-employment inquiry and rewrite five noncompliant interview questions
Sequence the elements of a compliant selection process from posting through recordkeeping
Draft a basic affirmative action and recordkeeping obligation checklist by employer size and contract status
Your checkpoint
Selection compliance packet: adverse impact calculation, rewritten question set, and recordkeeping checklist
Compliance, Documentation and Policy Development
Distinguish policy, procedure, and practice, and identify which documents belong in an employee handbook
Draft a policy using a standard structure (purpose, scope, definitions, responsibilities, enforcement, review cycle)
Apply a document-retention schedule to at least six record categories
Conduct a mock policy audit and flag three defects in a sample handbook section
Your checkpoint
Original two-page policy on a topic of choice, plus a completed mock audit worksheet with three flagged defects
Employee and Labor Relations and Performance Management
Distinguish employee relations, labor relations, and performance management and state the HR role in each
Compare progressive discipline with positive discipline and select the appropriate approach for three scenarios
Outline a defensible performance improvement plan with measurable expectations and review intervals
Summarize employee rights and employer obligations in grievance handling and concerted activity
Your checkpoint
Scenario workbook: three discipline decisions with justification and one complete performance improvement plan
Classification and Compensation
Apply the FLSA duties and salary tests to classify ten position descriptions as exempt or nonexempt with reasoning
Compare job ranking, classification, and point-factor methods and select one for a given organization
Build a pay grade and range structure from supplied survey data and compute a compa-ratio
Identify pay equity exposure points and describe a remediation approach
Your checkpoint
Classification and pay structure worksheet covering ten positions with exemption determinations, ranges, and compa-ratios
Employee Benefits Programs and Plans & HR Information Systems and Data Analysis
Map mandatory benefit obligations (leave, continuation, health privacy, retirement) to the triggering events that activate them
Compare defined benefit and defined contribution retirement designs on cost, risk, and administration
Distinguish HRIS record types and specify which data elements require restricted access
Compute three core HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, cost-per-hire) from a provided dataset
Your checkpoint
Benefits obligations matrix plus a metrics spreadsheet with the three computed measures and an access-control note
Compliance, Documentation and Policy Development & Recruitment and Selection Processes & Classification and Compensation & Employee and Labor Relations and Performance Management & Employee Benefits Programs and Plans & HR Information Systems and Data Analysis
Rank all six domains by practice-test error rate and allocate remaining study time to the top two gaps
Re-drill missed items by writing the underlying rule or definition in your own words
Complete two timed full-length practice exams under test conditions
Assemble a one-page recall sheet for each of the three highest-weight domains
Your checkpoint
Two scored full-length practice exams plus a one-page gap-remediation log showing before-and-after scores
Milestones
Week 2: Domain 2 practice set at 70% or higher and interview guide reviewed against structured-interview criteria
Week 4: Cumulative Domains 1-2 practice exam at 75% or higher; both major domains covered end to end
Week 6: All six domains seen at least once; Domain 3 exemption determinations correct on 8 of 10 positions
Week 8: Full-length practice exam at or above target passing score on both attempts, with no domain below 65%