HRCI PHR EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Mission Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅This is intended to define the broad mission an organization
is attempting to carry out on a daily basis and is a declaration of the reason an organization exists.
Vision Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅This is intended to define the specific goals an organization
hopes to achieve in the future and is a declaration of the goals the organization wishes to achieve at
some future point.
Mechanistic Operational Org. Structure - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Any structure in which the operations
of an organization are extremely well regulated and defined, are usually centralized, and have a large
number of departments.
Organic Operational Org. Structure - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Any structure in which an organization is
loosely regulated and possibly less defined, is usually decentralized, and has a small number of
departments.
What are the three most common methods an HR professional might use to influence upcoming
legislation? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Mail, scheduling meetings with elected officials, and lobbying.
Organization's Governance Process - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The established policies and procedures
designed to meet responsibilities to employees, consumers, investors, and to society; the process is
directed by the board of directors, or equivalent governing body, and executive management.
Corporate Governance - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The interactive and structural configuration, such as
hierarchical or matrix formats, of personnel within an organization that are used my management to
influence the behaviors, culture, and objective outcomes of the organization itself.
Active Listening - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅An important component of communication that requires
paying close attention to what is being said; it often involves making eye contact and appropriately
nodding to show engagement.
,What are the three core elements to a successful staff meeting? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Invite all
attendees to share a little. 2) Focus on the group and any outcomes that might need adjustment or
improvement. 3) Allow time for feedback in the decision-making process.
Information-rich Communication Channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Phone, Videoconferencing,
Face-to-Face Meetings and Presentations
Information-lean Communication Channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Email, Fliers, Newsletters,
Reports
Involvement Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Delegating Authority, Employee Survey, Suggestion
Program, Committee, Task Force
Communication Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Brown-Bag Lunch Program, Department
Meeting, Town Hall Meetings, Open-Door Policy, Management by Walking Around (MBWA)
Conflict of Interest - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Occurs when someone with a responsibility to act in the
best interest of the company may also be in the position to derive personal benefit at the expense of the
company.
Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Software systems that contain
employee profiles, workforce features, and reporting tools. Modules of this include applicant tracking,
time and attendance, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management.
Human Capital Management (HCM) Systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Integrate features that might
include document management, ways to provide policies or benefits summaries access, budgeting and
forecasting, application tracking, succession planning, and engagement and retention tools.
Regression Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Estimates or predicts the unknown values of one variable
(dependent variable, Y) from the known or fixed value of another variable (independent variable, X).
Linear Regression - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A type of regression analysis that is used when there is only
one independent variable to consider.
, Multiple Regression - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A type of regression analysis that is used when there are
multiple independent variables to consider.
Gene Dalton's Theory of Lasting Change - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Change would not occur without a
feeling of loss or pain to motivate it and that people will continue old patterns of behavior unless they
feel a need for change.
Gene Dalton's Change Focus Areas - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Gene Dalton developed these four to
support change areas: 1) Generalized goals -> 2) Specific objectives, formal social ties -> 3) New
relationships, self-doubt -> 4) Heightened self-esteem, and external motives for change -> 5) Internal
motive for change
Lewin's Change Management Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1. Unfreezing - Values, attitudes, and
behaviors are challenged, and people understand the need for change.
2. Changing - Occurs during the action phase, whereby the situation is examined, and a new equilibrium
is created.
3. Refreezing - Changes is stabilized and new patterns are solidified.
McKinsey 7-S Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Strategy
2) Structure
3) Systems
4) Shared Values
5) Style
6) Staff
7) Skills
John Kotter's 8-Step Change Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Create a sense of urgency.
2) Build a guiding coalition.
3) Develop a shared vision and strategy.
4) Communicate the change vision.
Mission Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅This is intended to define the broad mission an organization
is attempting to carry out on a daily basis and is a declaration of the reason an organization exists.
Vision Statement - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅This is intended to define the specific goals an organization
hopes to achieve in the future and is a declaration of the goals the organization wishes to achieve at
some future point.
Mechanistic Operational Org. Structure - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Any structure in which the operations
of an organization are extremely well regulated and defined, are usually centralized, and have a large
number of departments.
Organic Operational Org. Structure - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Any structure in which an organization is
loosely regulated and possibly less defined, is usually decentralized, and has a small number of
departments.
What are the three most common methods an HR professional might use to influence upcoming
legislation? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Mail, scheduling meetings with elected officials, and lobbying.
Organization's Governance Process - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The established policies and procedures
designed to meet responsibilities to employees, consumers, investors, and to society; the process is
directed by the board of directors, or equivalent governing body, and executive management.
Corporate Governance - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅The interactive and structural configuration, such as
hierarchical or matrix formats, of personnel within an organization that are used my management to
influence the behaviors, culture, and objective outcomes of the organization itself.
Active Listening - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅An important component of communication that requires
paying close attention to what is being said; it often involves making eye contact and appropriately
nodding to show engagement.
,What are the three core elements to a successful staff meeting? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Invite all
attendees to share a little. 2) Focus on the group and any outcomes that might need adjustment or
improvement. 3) Allow time for feedback in the decision-making process.
Information-rich Communication Channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Phone, Videoconferencing,
Face-to-Face Meetings and Presentations
Information-lean Communication Channels - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Email, Fliers, Newsletters,
Reports
Involvement Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Delegating Authority, Employee Survey, Suggestion
Program, Committee, Task Force
Communication Strategies - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅e.g. Brown-Bag Lunch Program, Department
Meeting, Town Hall Meetings, Open-Door Policy, Management by Walking Around (MBWA)
Conflict of Interest - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Occurs when someone with a responsibility to act in the
best interest of the company may also be in the position to derive personal benefit at the expense of the
company.
Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Software systems that contain
employee profiles, workforce features, and reporting tools. Modules of this include applicant tracking,
time and attendance, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management.
Human Capital Management (HCM) Systems - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Integrate features that might
include document management, ways to provide policies or benefits summaries access, budgeting and
forecasting, application tracking, succession planning, and engagement and retention tools.
Regression Analysis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Estimates or predicts the unknown values of one variable
(dependent variable, Y) from the known or fixed value of another variable (independent variable, X).
Linear Regression - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A type of regression analysis that is used when there is only
one independent variable to consider.
, Multiple Regression - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅A type of regression analysis that is used when there are
multiple independent variables to consider.
Gene Dalton's Theory of Lasting Change - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Change would not occur without a
feeling of loss or pain to motivate it and that people will continue old patterns of behavior unless they
feel a need for change.
Gene Dalton's Change Focus Areas - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Gene Dalton developed these four to
support change areas: 1) Generalized goals -> 2) Specific objectives, formal social ties -> 3) New
relationships, self-doubt -> 4) Heightened self-esteem, and external motives for change -> 5) Internal
motive for change
Lewin's Change Management Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1. Unfreezing - Values, attitudes, and
behaviors are challenged, and people understand the need for change.
2. Changing - Occurs during the action phase, whereby the situation is examined, and a new equilibrium
is created.
3. Refreezing - Changes is stabilized and new patterns are solidified.
McKinsey 7-S Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Strategy
2) Structure
3) Systems
4) Shared Values
5) Style
6) Staff
7) Skills
John Kotter's 8-Step Change Model - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅1) Create a sense of urgency.
2) Build a guiding coalition.
3) Develop a shared vision and strategy.
4) Communicate the change vision.
