Preparing the Day Before
Your exam day experience starts the evening before. Taking steps to ensure a smooth morning will help you arrive calm and focused.
- Confirm your appointment time and testing center location (or remote proctoring setup)
- Prepare your identification documents: you need two forms of valid, unexpired ID, one with a photo
- Lay out comfortable clothing appropriate for a climate-controlled testing environment
- Set two alarms to ensure you wake up on time
- Avoid heavy studying; light review of flashcards is fine, but intensive cramming the night before is counterproductive
- Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep
Morning of the Exam
Wake up with enough time to eat a balanced breakfast and arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your appointment. If you are testing remotely, log into the proctoring system 30 minutes early to complete the check-in process and troubleshoot any technical issues.
What to Eat
Choose foods that provide sustained energy without causing sluggishness. Good options include oatmeal with fruit, eggs with whole grain toast, or yogurt with granola. Avoid excessive caffeine, sugary foods, and heavy meals that could cause an energy crash during the exam.
Arriving at the Testing Center
When you arrive at a Prometric testing center, you will go through a structured check-in process:
Step 1: Check-In
- Present your two forms of identification to the test center administrator
- Your name on the IDs must match the name on your exam registration exactly
- You will sign a log and agree to the testing center rules
Step 2: Security Screening
- Empty your pockets completely
- Remove watches, jewelry (some centers), and any electronic devices
- Store all personal belongings in a provided locker
- Some centers may use a metal detector wand
Step 3: Workstation Assignment
- The administrator will escort you to your assigned computer workstation
- You will receive scratch paper or a small whiteboard and marker
- The administrator will help you launch the exam software
During the Exam
Once the exam begins, you have 4 hours to complete 134 questions. The timer is visible on screen throughout the exam.
Exam Interface
The testing software is straightforward. Each question appears on screen with four answer options. You can:
- Select your answer by clicking on it
- Flag questions for later review
- Navigate forward and backward through questions
- See how many questions remain and how much time is left
Time Management Strategy
Work through the exam at a steady pace. If a question is taking too long, select your best guess, flag it, and move on. Plan to finish your first pass through all questions with at least 30 minutes remaining for review.
Taking Breaks
You may take an unscheduled break at any time, but the exam clock does not stop. If you need to use the restroom, raise your hand or notify the proctor. You will need to go through security screening again when you return.
Handling Difficult Questions
You will encounter questions that feel unfamiliar or especially challenging. This is normal and expected. Remember these points:
- 24 of the 134 questions are unscored pretest items, so some difficult questions may not even count
- You do not need to answer every question correctly to pass
- Trust your preparation and choose the best available answer
- Never leave a question blank; there is no penalty for guessing
Finishing the Exam
When you have answered all questions and reviewed any flagged items, you can end the exam. The software will ask you to confirm that you want to submit your responses. Once confirmed, you cannot go back.
After the Exam
You will not receive your official score at the testing center. SHRM processes exam results and typically releases scores within 3 to 4 weeks after your testing window closes. You will receive an email notification when your results are available in your SHRM certification portal.
Preliminary Result
Some candidates report seeing an unofficial "pass" or "did not pass" indication at the testing center. However, this is not guaranteed, and the official result from SHRM is the only one that matters.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
If you experience a technical issue during the exam (computer crash, software glitch, or power outage), alert the test center administrator immediately. Prometric has procedures for handling technical disruptions, and your exam time will be adjusted if needed. Document any issues and contact SHRM if you believe the disruption affected your performance.
Remember that thousands of candidates take the SHRM exam successfully each testing window. With solid preparation and a clear understanding of what to expect, you will be ready to perform at your best.