Human Resource Management – Exam-Ready Q&A with Explanations Page 1
Human Resource Management – Exam-Ready Q&A with
Explanations
Introduction
This 2025 study guide prepares business students for HRM exams with 40 high-yield questions
(20 multiple-choice, 15 short-answer, 5 scenario-based) covering strategic HR, talent manage-
ment, diversity, analytics, and emerging trends. It delivers verified answers, enhanced explana-
tions with deep theoretical ties, and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and exam success.
Exam-Ready Questions & Explanations
1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary aim of strategic HR planning? [2 marks]
A. Minimize workforce flexibility
B. Align talent with strategic goals
C. Enforce uniform HR policies
D. Reduce employee development
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HR planning aligns talent capabilities with organiza-
tional strategic goals to drive performance, unlike minimizing flexibility, enforcing uni-
formity, or reducing development, which misalign with strategic intent. This reflects
SHRM’s emphasis on business integration (Ulrich’s HR model).
Helper Tip: Use “strategic goals” as a cue for SHRM. Avoid distractors like “uniform”
by linking to business outcomes.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law mandates workplace accommodations? [2 marks]
A. Occupational Safety and Health Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
C. Equal Pay Act
D. Family and Medical Leave Act
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: The ADA mandates accommodations for employees with disabil-
ities to ensure accessibility, unlike OSHA (safety), EPA (pay equity), or FMLA (leave).
Non-compliance risks fines, per 2025 labor standards.
Helper Tip: Link “accommodations” to ADA. Avoid “safety” or “pay” distractors by fo-
cusing on disability rights.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What motivates employees per Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory?
[2 marks]
A. High salaries alone
B. Achievement and growth opportunities
C. Strict managerial oversight
D. Standardized work conditions
Correct Answer: B
, Human Resource Management – Exam-Ready Q&A with Explanations Page 2
Detailed Explanation: Herzberg’s Theory identifies motivators like achievement and growth
as drivers of satisfaction, unlike salaries (hygiene factor), oversight, or standardization,
which prevent dissatisfaction but don’t motivate. Links to motivation frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “achievement” to spot Herzberg’s motivators. Avoid “salaries” as a hy-
giene factor distractor.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What reduces bias in candidate screening? [2 marks]
A. Subjective panel interviews
B. Structured scoring matrices
C. Informal reference checks
D. Unstandardized evaluations
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Structured scoring matrices reduce bias by standardizing candi-
date evaluations based on job criteria, unlike subjective interviews, informal checks, or
unstandardized methods, which allow personal bias. Aligns with evidence-based recruit-
ment.
Helper Tip: Link “structured” to bias reduction. Avoid “subjective” or “informal” dis-
tractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a hallmark of effective performance reviews? [2 marks]
A. Infrequent feedback cycles
B. Specific, actionable goals
C. Generic evaluation criteria
D. Limited employee input
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Effective performance reviews set specific, actionable goals to
guide development, unlike infrequent feedback, generic criteria, or limited input, which
reduce impact. Ties to Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory.
Helper Tip: Use “specific goals” to identify effective reviews. Avoid “generic” or “lim-
ited” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a primary goal of DEI programs? [2 marks]
A. Maintain status quo practices
B. Foster inclusive workplaces
C. Reduce workforce diversity
D. Limit collaborative efforts
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: DEI programs foster inclusive workplaces to enhance equity and
belonging, unlike maintaining status quo, reducing diversity, or limiting collaboration,
which oppose DEI aims. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “inclusive” to DEI. Avoid “status quo” or “reduce” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of non-monetary rewards? [2 marks]
A. Increased compensation costs
Human Resource Management – Exam-Ready Q&A with
Explanations
Introduction
This 2025 study guide prepares business students for HRM exams with 40 high-yield questions
(20 multiple-choice, 15 short-answer, 5 scenario-based) covering strategic HR, talent manage-
ment, diversity, analytics, and emerging trends. It delivers verified answers, enhanced explana-
tions with deep theoretical ties, and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and exam success.
Exam-Ready Questions & Explanations
1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary aim of strategic HR planning? [2 marks]
A. Minimize workforce flexibility
B. Align talent with strategic goals
C. Enforce uniform HR policies
D. Reduce employee development
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HR planning aligns talent capabilities with organiza-
tional strategic goals to drive performance, unlike minimizing flexibility, enforcing uni-
formity, or reducing development, which misalign with strategic intent. This reflects
SHRM’s emphasis on business integration (Ulrich’s HR model).
Helper Tip: Use “strategic goals” as a cue for SHRM. Avoid distractors like “uniform”
by linking to business outcomes.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law mandates workplace accommodations? [2 marks]
A. Occupational Safety and Health Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
C. Equal Pay Act
D. Family and Medical Leave Act
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: The ADA mandates accommodations for employees with disabil-
ities to ensure accessibility, unlike OSHA (safety), EPA (pay equity), or FMLA (leave).
Non-compliance risks fines, per 2025 labor standards.
Helper Tip: Link “accommodations” to ADA. Avoid “safety” or “pay” distractors by fo-
cusing on disability rights.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What motivates employees per Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory?
[2 marks]
A. High salaries alone
B. Achievement and growth opportunities
C. Strict managerial oversight
D. Standardized work conditions
Correct Answer: B
, Human Resource Management – Exam-Ready Q&A with Explanations Page 2
Detailed Explanation: Herzberg’s Theory identifies motivators like achievement and growth
as drivers of satisfaction, unlike salaries (hygiene factor), oversight, or standardization,
which prevent dissatisfaction but don’t motivate. Links to motivation frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “achievement” to spot Herzberg’s motivators. Avoid “salaries” as a hy-
giene factor distractor.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What reduces bias in candidate screening? [2 marks]
A. Subjective panel interviews
B. Structured scoring matrices
C. Informal reference checks
D. Unstandardized evaluations
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Structured scoring matrices reduce bias by standardizing candi-
date evaluations based on job criteria, unlike subjective interviews, informal checks, or
unstandardized methods, which allow personal bias. Aligns with evidence-based recruit-
ment.
Helper Tip: Link “structured” to bias reduction. Avoid “subjective” or “informal” dis-
tractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a hallmark of effective performance reviews? [2 marks]
A. Infrequent feedback cycles
B. Specific, actionable goals
C. Generic evaluation criteria
D. Limited employee input
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Effective performance reviews set specific, actionable goals to
guide development, unlike infrequent feedback, generic criteria, or limited input, which
reduce impact. Ties to Locke’s Goal-Setting Theory.
Helper Tip: Use “specific goals” to identify effective reviews. Avoid “generic” or “lim-
ited” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a primary goal of DEI programs? [2 marks]
A. Maintain status quo practices
B. Foster inclusive workplaces
C. Reduce workforce diversity
D. Limit collaborative efforts
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: DEI programs foster inclusive workplaces to enhance equity and
belonging, unlike maintaining status quo, reducing diversity, or limiting collaboration,
which oppose DEI aims. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “inclusive” to DEI. Avoid “status quo” or “reduce” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of non-monetary rewards? [2 marks]
A. Increased compensation costs
