Human Resource Management – Exam Questions & Model Answers Page 1
Human Resource Management – Exam Questions & Model
Answers
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 trends. It delivers verified model answers, detailed explanations,
and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and high-scoring exam performance.
Exam Questions & Model Answers
1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary goal of strategic HRM? [2 marks]
A. Standardize workforce processes
B. Enhance competitive advantage
C. Limit organizational flexibility
D. Reduce employee autonomy
Model Answer: B – Enhance competitive advantage
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HRM enhances competitive advantage by aligning HR
practices with business strategy, unlike standardizing processes, limiting flexibility, or
reducing autonomy, which hinder strategic goals. Reflects Porter’s Value Chain integra-
tion.
Helper Tip: Link “competitive advantage” to SHRM. Avoid “standardize” or “limit” dis-
tractors by focusing on strategy alignment.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law protects against disability discrimination? [2
marks]
A. Family and Medical Leave Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
C. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
D. Occupational Safety and Health Act
Model Answer: B – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Detailed Explanation: The ADA protects against disability discrimination by mandating
accommodations, unlike FMLA (leave), Title VII (other traits), or OSHA (safety). Non-
compliance risks penalties, per 2025 labor laws.
Helper Tip: Link “disability” to ADA. Avoid “leave” or “safety” distractors by focusing
on accommodations.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What motivates employees per Vroom’s Expectancy Theory? [2
marks]
A. Uniform reward systems
B. Belief in reward attainability
C. Strict performance targets
D. Standardized role assignments
, Human Resource Management – Exam Questions & Model Answers Page 2
Model Answer: B – Belief in reward attainability
Detailed Explanation: Vroom’s Expectancy Theory posits motivation depends on be-
lieving rewards are attainable through effort, unlike uniform rewards, strict targets, or
standardized roles, which don’t address expectancy. Links to motivation frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “attainability” to spot Vroom’s theory. Avoid “uniform” or “strict” dis-
tractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of behavioral interviews? [2 marks]
A. Increased subjective bias
B. Predictive performance insights
C. Reduced candidate engagement
D. Inconsistent evaluations
Model Answer: B – Predictive performance insights
Detailed Explanation: Behavioral interviews provide predictive performance insights by
assessing past actions, unlike increasing bias, reducing engagement, or causing inconsis-
tency, which undermine hiring accuracy. Aligns with evidence-based recruitment.
Helper Tip: Link “predictive” to behavioral interviews. Avoid “bias” or “inconsistent”
distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a feature of modern performance management? [2 marks]
A. Annual appraisal focus
B. Continuous feedback cycles
C. Generic evaluation standards
D. Limited employee involvement
Model Answer: B – Continuous feedback cycles
Detailed Explanation: Modern performance management emphasizes continuous feed-
back cycles to drive growth, unlike annual appraisals, generic standards, or limited in-
volvement, which reduce effectiveness. Ties to agile HR principles.
Helper Tip: Use “continuous” to identify modern performance management. Avoid “an-
nual” or “generic” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a primary aim of inclusion strategies? [2 marks]
A. Maintain hierarchical structures
B. Foster workplace belonging
C. Limit diverse perspectives
D. Reduce team cohesion
Model Answer: B – Foster workplace belonging
Detailed Explanation: Inclusion strategies foster workplace belonging to enhance equity,
unlike maintaining hierarchies, limiting perspectives, or reducing cohesion, which oppose
DEI goals. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “belonging” to inclusion. Avoid “hierarchical” or “limit” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of equity-based compensation? [2 marks]
A. Reduced employee motivation
Human Resource Management – Exam Questions & Model
Answers
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 trends. It delivers verified model answers, detailed explanations,
and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and high-scoring exam performance.
Exam Questions & Model Answers
1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary goal of strategic HRM? [2 marks]
A. Standardize workforce processes
B. Enhance competitive advantage
C. Limit organizational flexibility
D. Reduce employee autonomy
Model Answer: B – Enhance competitive advantage
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HRM enhances competitive advantage by aligning HR
practices with business strategy, unlike standardizing processes, limiting flexibility, or
reducing autonomy, which hinder strategic goals. Reflects Porter’s Value Chain integra-
tion.
Helper Tip: Link “competitive advantage” to SHRM. Avoid “standardize” or “limit” dis-
tractors by focusing on strategy alignment.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law protects against disability discrimination? [2
marks]
A. Family and Medical Leave Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
C. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
D. Occupational Safety and Health Act
Model Answer: B – Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Detailed Explanation: The ADA protects against disability discrimination by mandating
accommodations, unlike FMLA (leave), Title VII (other traits), or OSHA (safety). Non-
compliance risks penalties, per 2025 labor laws.
Helper Tip: Link “disability” to ADA. Avoid “leave” or “safety” distractors by focusing
on accommodations.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What motivates employees per Vroom’s Expectancy Theory? [2
marks]
A. Uniform reward systems
B. Belief in reward attainability
C. Strict performance targets
D. Standardized role assignments
, Human Resource Management – Exam Questions & Model Answers Page 2
Model Answer: B – Belief in reward attainability
Detailed Explanation: Vroom’s Expectancy Theory posits motivation depends on be-
lieving rewards are attainable through effort, unlike uniform rewards, strict targets, or
standardized roles, which don’t address expectancy. Links to motivation frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “attainability” to spot Vroom’s theory. Avoid “uniform” or “strict” dis-
tractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of behavioral interviews? [2 marks]
A. Increased subjective bias
B. Predictive performance insights
C. Reduced candidate engagement
D. Inconsistent evaluations
Model Answer: B – Predictive performance insights
Detailed Explanation: Behavioral interviews provide predictive performance insights by
assessing past actions, unlike increasing bias, reducing engagement, or causing inconsis-
tency, which undermine hiring accuracy. Aligns with evidence-based recruitment.
Helper Tip: Link “predictive” to behavioral interviews. Avoid “bias” or “inconsistent”
distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a feature of modern performance management? [2 marks]
A. Annual appraisal focus
B. Continuous feedback cycles
C. Generic evaluation standards
D. Limited employee involvement
Model Answer: B – Continuous feedback cycles
Detailed Explanation: Modern performance management emphasizes continuous feed-
back cycles to drive growth, unlike annual appraisals, generic standards, or limited in-
volvement, which reduce effectiveness. Ties to agile HR principles.
Helper Tip: Use “continuous” to identify modern performance management. Avoid “an-
nual” or “generic” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a primary aim of inclusion strategies? [2 marks]
A. Maintain hierarchical structures
B. Foster workplace belonging
C. Limit diverse perspectives
D. Reduce team cohesion
Model Answer: B – Foster workplace belonging
Detailed Explanation: Inclusion strategies foster workplace belonging to enhance equity,
unlike maintaining hierarchies, limiting perspectives, or reducing cohesion, which oppose
DEI goals. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “belonging” to inclusion. Avoid “hierarchical” or “limit” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of equity-based compensation? [2 marks]
A. Reduced employee motivation
