When Weekday Studying Is Not Realistic
Many SHRM exam candidates are busy HR professionals juggling demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. Finding time to study during the workweek can feel impossible when you are already exhausted after a long day of managing employee relations, compliance issues, and organizational initiatives. If this sounds familiar, a weekend focused study plan may be the solution.
A weekend study plan concentrates your primary study efforts into Saturday and Sunday while using brief weekday touchpoints to maintain momentum and reinforce learning. This approach works well for candidates who can dedicate substantial blocks of time on weekends but have limited availability during the week.
Structuring Your Weekend Study Sessions
Saturday: Deep Learning Day
Saturday is your primary learning day. Plan for three to four hours of focused study, broken into manageable blocks:
- Block 1 (90 minutes): Study new material from the SHRM Learning System or your primary study resource. Read actively, take notes, and work through any embedded exercises or examples.
- Break (15 minutes): Step away from your study space. Stretch, have a snack, or take a short walk.
- Block 2 (60 minutes): Active recall and practice. Close your materials and write down everything you can remember from Block 1. Then work through practice questions related to the topic.
- Break (15 minutes): Another rest period.
- Block 3 (60 minutes): Review previously studied material using flashcards, summary sheets, or spaced repetition. This ensures you are reinforcing older material while learning new content.
Sunday: Application and Review Day
Sunday shifts the focus from learning new material to applying and reviewing what you have studied:
- Block 1 (60 minutes): Practice exam questions covering multiple domains. Work through 30 to 40 questions under timed conditions.
- Block 2 (60 minutes): Review your practice question results. For every question you missed, read the explanation, identify why you got it wrong, and make notes for future review.
- Block 3 (30 to 45 minutes): Scenario analysis. Read two to three situational judgment scenarios and practice evaluating the answer choices. Discuss them with a study partner if possible.
Weekday Maintenance Activities
While weekdays are not your primary study days, brief daily touchpoints prevent forgetting and maintain your connection to the material:
- Morning (10 minutes): Review five to ten flashcards while having your coffee
- Lunch break (15 minutes): Read through your summary notes for the current topic
- Evening (10 minutes): Answer three to five practice questions on your phone or tablet
These brief sessions add up to approximately 35 minutes per day and make a meaningful difference in retention without creating significant time pressure.
Planning Your Weekend Study Calendar
A 16 Week Weekend Study Plan
With weekend focused studying, plan for a longer preparation timeline of 14 to 18 weeks to compensate for less total weekly study time:
- Weeks 1 to 8: Work through all SHRM BoCK knowledge domains, covering one to two domains per weekend
- Weeks 9 to 10: Focus on behavioral competencies and situational judgment practice
- Weeks 11 to 13: Intensive practice exam period, taking one full length exam per weekend with targeted review
- Weeks 14 to 15: Address remaining weak areas and review summary materials
- Week 16: Light review only, focusing on confidence building and exam day logistics
Making Weekend Study Time Productive
Create a Dedicated Study Space
If possible, designate a specific area of your home as your study space. This helps your brain shift into study mode when you sit down and makes it easier to focus. Keep your study materials organized and ready so you do not waste time setting up at the beginning of each session.
Minimize Distractions
Communicate your study schedule to family members and friends so they understand your commitment. Turn off notifications on your phone, close social media, and treat your study blocks as non negotiable appointments with yourself.
Plan Rewards
Balance your study weekends with enjoyable activities. After your Saturday study session, do something you enjoy. Use Sunday afternoon or evening for relaxation and family time. This balance prevents the resentment and burnout that come from feeling like your entire weekend is consumed by studying.
When to Add Weekday Study Time
As your exam date approaches, consider adding one or two longer weekday study sessions in the final four to six weeks. Even an extra hour on Wednesday evenings can provide a meaningful boost during the final stretch. However, avoid trying to maintain an intense weekday schedule for more than a few weeks, as it is likely to lead to burnout.
Adjusting the Plan for Your Life
The most important aspect of any study plan is consistency. If a particular weekend is disrupted by travel, family events, or other obligations, do not try to make up lost time by doubling your study hours the following weekend. Instead, extend your overall timeline by one week. Sustainable, consistent effort will always outperform sporadic bursts of intense studying.