I PASSED!!

YES!!! I passed the PHR test today!

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!

Well, I've been doing my best to prepare for my PHR exam, and I think I'm doing fairly well. I did all of the sample test questions on the CD provided with the SHRM Learning System (all 1,040 of them), and I scored a 79%. Not great, but I only need 70% to pass. I think I missed some of them out of pure exhaustion.


I also did a couple more tests from other sources. I scored 81% on a 106-question test that was provided from our study group yesterday. Today I did a timed computerized test from the HRCI (the organization who actually gives the test) and scored 82%. I was very happy with that score as the test was hard. Plus the questions are supposed to be very similar to what will be on the actual test, so I was relieved with how close I am. I still have to read up on Employee and Labor Relations (the union crap), as I only scored 56.25% on that area. I'm very glad not to have to deal with unions in my job. I think I'd pull my hair out over all of the stupidity.


With the test being on Friday, I have a few more days to get ready.

PHR Test Looming

What is my problem?! I know my certification test is looming (I have it scheduled for June 6th), yet I can't get disciplined. That's not to say that I haven't studied at all. I have. In fact, I have hours of studying in. But I know I need more. And I just have the hardest time getting motivated. I sit down to do it, and my mind just wanders. I can't wait until this thing is over.

What's even weirder is I have full, open days (like today), and I just have the hardest time opening the book. On busy, crazy days, I'll find 1/2 hour or 45 minutes and really pack in some studying. Well, I better at least get 1/2 hour in.....

First Study Group

So I had my first study group tonight for my PHR/SPHR exam (still don't know which I'm going to take). I've got to say, I was really impressed. The organizer was actually organized, and the participants actually seemed intelligent! I know that should be an expectation, but after finishing my bachelors degree a couple of years ago, I realized that pretty much anybody can get a degree. The biggest battle is showing up. We had so many people in my cohort who seemed (to me) barely literate, yet they got the same degree I did. I was astounded. They just showed up week after week and the professors passed them. Granted, they didn't pass with a great GPA, but it makes me sick to think about all of the work I did (and the little they did)....and yet they are now "degreed" just as I am.

I was afraid that this group might be similar, but they really seemed on the ball and serious about the process, I'm excited about working with all of them.

Now the big decision: Which exam to take. I'm still torn. I have until sometime in March to decide, though. I'm going to try to take some sample tests for both exams and see how I do.

What's the Plan, Man?

This week starts my first week of PHR/SPHR study groups. They are Mondays and Wednesday nights from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. I'm aware that this could be a potential threat to my workouts, so I'm planning my workouts in advance so that I know what I'm going to do and I'm going to get it done. I'm a night exerciser, so I will do them on Mondays and Wednesday around 8:30 - 9:00 p.m. That's late even for me, but I'd rather do that than get up in the morning to do it (well, for now). In order to have time to get my studying in, I *might* get up an hour early to do that. I just think it will be easier for me to study than to exercise in the mornings. I'm mentally sharper in the mornings. I just don't feel like working out then.

Here's the plan for this week:

Monday (tonight) - Firm Fat Blaster (AKA Tri-Trainer All Cardio)

Tuesday - Slim in 6 Burn it Up

Wednesday - Firm Volume 5 (I can't remember what the re-name was)

Thursday - Slim Series Mix it Up

Friday - Aerobic Body Shaping (TransFirmer) w/Allie

Saturday - Project You Full Body Circuit

Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind. I just wanted to get a schedule established so that I don't have to think about it later.