HRM Q&A – Essential Questions and Answers for Exams Page 1
HRM Q&A – Essential Questions and Answers for Exams
Introduction
This 2025 study guide equips business students for HRM exams with 40 essential questions
(20 multiple-choice, 15 short-answer, 5 scenario-based) covering core topics like strategic HR,
talent management, diversity, and analytics. It provides verified answers, concise explanations,
and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and efficient exam preparation.
Essential Questions & Explanations
1. Multiple Choice: What is a key focus of strategic HRM? [2 marks]
A. Enforce operational uniformity
B. Drive organizational performance
C. Limit workforce adaptability
D. Reduce employee engagement
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HRM drives organizational performance by aligning tal-
ent with business goals, unlike enforcing uniformity, limiting adaptability, or reducing
engagement, which misalign with strategic aims. Reflects Ulrich’s HR business partner
model.
Helper Tip: Link “performance” to SHRM. Avoid “uniformity” or “limit” distractors by
focusing on business goals.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law addresses pay equity? [2 marks]
A. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
B. Equal Pay Act (EPA)
C. Fair Labor Standards Act
D. Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: The EPA mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gen-
der, unlike Title VII (broad discrimination), FLSA (wages/hours), or ADEA (age). Non-
compliance risks legal penalties, per 2025 standards.
Helper Tip: Link “pay equity” to EPA. Avoid “discrimination” or “wages” distractors by
focusing on gender pay.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What drives motivation per Equity Theory? [2 marks]
A. Standardized rewards
B. Perceived fairness in outcomes
C. Strict performance monitoring
D. Uniform task allocation
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Equity Theory posits motivation stems from perceived fairness
in rewards relative to inputs, unlike standardized rewards, strict monitoring, or uniform
, HRM Q&A – Essential Questions and Answers for Exams Page 2
tasks, which don’t address fairness. Links to Adams’ framework.
Helper Tip: Use “fairness” to spot Equity Theory. Avoid “standardized” or “monitoring”
distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of structured interviews? [2 marks]
A. Increased interviewer bias
B. Consistent candidate evaluation
C. Reduced hiring efficiency
D. Limited role clarity
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Structured interviews ensure consistent candidate evaluation us-
ing standardized questions, unlike increasing bias, reducing efficiency, or limiting clarity,
which undermine hiring quality. Aligns with evidence-based recruitment.
Helper Tip: Link “consistent” to structured interviews. Avoid “bias” or “limited” distrac-
tors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a feature of effective talent reviews? [2 marks]
A. Generic performance metrics
B. Data-driven development plans
C. Limited feedback loops
D. Subjective assessments
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Effective talent reviews use data-driven development plans to
guide growth, unlike generic metrics, limited feedback, or subjective assessments, which
reduce impact. Ties to talent management frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “data-driven” to identify effective reviews. Avoid “generic” or “subjec-
tive” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a goal of diversity initiatives? [2 marks]
A. Reinforce workplace silos
B. Promote equitable opportunities
C. Limit cultural integration
D. Reduce team collaboration
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Diversity initiatives promote equitable opportunities to foster in-
clusion, unlike reinforcing silos, limiting integration, or reducing collaboration, which
oppose DEI goals. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “equitable” to diversity. Avoid “silos” or “limit” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of variable pay systems? [2 marks]
A. Reduced performance incentives
B. Enhanced goal alignment
C. Increased pay disparities
D. Limited reward transparency
HRM Q&A – Essential Questions and Answers for Exams
Introduction
This 2025 study guide equips business students for HRM exams with 40 essential questions
(20 multiple-choice, 15 short-answer, 5 scenario-based) covering core topics like strategic HR,
talent management, diversity, and analytics. It provides verified answers, concise explanations,
and exam tips, optimized for Stuvia upload and efficient exam preparation.
Essential Questions & Explanations
1. Multiple Choice: What is a key focus of strategic HRM? [2 marks]
A. Enforce operational uniformity
B. Drive organizational performance
C. Limit workforce adaptability
D. Reduce employee engagement
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Strategic HRM drives organizational performance by aligning tal-
ent with business goals, unlike enforcing uniformity, limiting adaptability, or reducing
engagement, which misalign with strategic aims. Reflects Ulrich’s HR business partner
model.
Helper Tip: Link “performance” to SHRM. Avoid “uniformity” or “limit” distractors by
focusing on business goals.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
2. Multiple Choice: Which U.S. law addresses pay equity? [2 marks]
A. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
B. Equal Pay Act (EPA)
C. Fair Labor Standards Act
D. Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: The EPA mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gen-
der, unlike Title VII (broad discrimination), FLSA (wages/hours), or ADEA (age). Non-
compliance risks legal penalties, per 2025 standards.
Helper Tip: Link “pay equity” to EPA. Avoid “discrimination” or “wages” distractors by
focusing on gender pay.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
3. Multiple Choice: What drives motivation per Equity Theory? [2 marks]
A. Standardized rewards
B. Perceived fairness in outcomes
C. Strict performance monitoring
D. Uniform task allocation
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Equity Theory posits motivation stems from perceived fairness
in rewards relative to inputs, unlike standardized rewards, strict monitoring, or uniform
, HRM Q&A – Essential Questions and Answers for Exams Page 2
tasks, which don’t address fairness. Links to Adams’ framework.
Helper Tip: Use “fairness” to spot Equity Theory. Avoid “standardized” or “monitoring”
distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
4. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of structured interviews? [2 marks]
A. Increased interviewer bias
B. Consistent candidate evaluation
C. Reduced hiring efficiency
D. Limited role clarity
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Structured interviews ensure consistent candidate evaluation us-
ing standardized questions, unlike increasing bias, reducing efficiency, or limiting clarity,
which undermine hiring quality. Aligns with evidence-based recruitment.
Helper Tip: Link “consistent” to structured interviews. Avoid “bias” or “limited” distrac-
tors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
5. Multiple Choice: What is a feature of effective talent reviews? [2 marks]
A. Generic performance metrics
B. Data-driven development plans
C. Limited feedback loops
D. Subjective assessments
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Effective talent reviews use data-driven development plans to
guide growth, unlike generic metrics, limited feedback, or subjective assessments, which
reduce impact. Ties to talent management frameworks.
Helper Tip: Use “data-driven” to identify effective reviews. Avoid “generic” or “subjec-
tive” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
6. Multiple Choice: What is a goal of diversity initiatives? [2 marks]
A. Reinforce workplace silos
B. Promote equitable opportunities
C. Limit cultural integration
D. Reduce team collaboration
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Diversity initiatives promote equitable opportunities to foster in-
clusion, unlike reinforcing silos, limiting integration, or reducing collaboration, which
oppose DEI goals. Reflects social identity theory.
Helper Tip: Link “equitable” to diversity. Avoid “silos” or “limit” distractors.
Marking: 2 for B; 0 otherwise.
7. Multiple Choice: What is a benefit of variable pay systems? [2 marks]
A. Reduced performance incentives
B. Enhanced goal alignment
C. Increased pay disparities
D. Limited reward transparency
