SHRM Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the SHRM exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 SHRM Exam Format at a Glance

134
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score

📚 SHRM Topics to Study (63)

✍️ Sample SHRM Questions & Answers

1. In organizational development, 'force field analysis' is used to:
Identify driving and restraining forces affecting a proposed change

Force field analysis, developed by Kurt Lewin, identifies the forces that support or hinder a planned change, helping organizations strengthen drivers and reduce barriers.

2. The Kirkpatrick Model evaluates training effectiveness at four levels. Which level specifically measures whether participants acquired the intended knowledge or skills?
Level 2 – Learning

Level 2 of the Kirkpatrick Model measures the degree to which participants acquired the intended knowledge, skills, attitude, confidence, or commitment.

3. Under the ADA, what standard determines whether an employer must provide a reasonable accommodation?
The accommodation must not create undue hardship

Employers must provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would create an undue hardship based on cost, resources, and impact.

4. Under ERISA, which fiduciary duty requires plan administrators to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries?
Duty of loyalty

ERISA's duty of loyalty (exclusive benefit rule) requires fiduciaries to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries.

5. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which form must U.S. employers complete to verify employment eligibility for all new hires?
I-9

Form I-9 must be completed by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of every new hire.

6. An organization surveys 10 peer companies and finds its average pay is at the 50th percentile of the market. This organization's pay philosophy is best described as:
Match the market

Paying at the 50th percentile reflects a 'match the market' philosophy, aiming to be competitive without paying above or below average.

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1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation
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