Review your final score. Because of the reliability of the exams, candidates who retake the exam will find that unless they significantly change their study approach or acquire new exempt-level HR knowledge, their scores will remain within a few points of each other, particularly if little time has elapsed (to add to work experience) between test administrations. The further candidates are away from the minimum passing score (500), the less likely the chance of passing the exam. It may be advisable to acquire broader generalist HR work experience before retaking the examination.

Review your study approach. Review your score report and identify those areas in which you were not as strong and focus studies in those areas. Were multiple sources of study materials used? Did you use the most effective study approach for your learning style? Use of multiple sources of study materials cannot be overemphasized. If you did not purchase the HRCI Certification Guide (available through Amazon.com, the Barnes and Noble online bookstore and the SHRMStore), consider doing so. It is an excellent, cost-effective resource to begin re-evaluating your study approach. The guide includes a discussion on how the exams are developed, suggested study plans for group or individual study, a bibliography of recommended reading and sample exam questions and answers.

If you did not pass the SPHR exam, consider the type of exempt-level HR work experience you have. It may be more reflective of the PHR exam level. For more information about the differences between the PHR and the SPHR exams, please review the sample profile of PHR and SPHR candidates. It is not recommended that candidates who did not pass the PHR exam retake the exam at the SPHR level.