TheoryPHR SHRM HR Practice Questions
Free PHR SHRM HR practice questions with answers and plain-English explanations. Browse the PDF, video and online mock test.
PHR SHRM HR Questions
Open each answer, read the explanation, then continue into the full practice flow.
Q1Which sourcing channel typically produces hires with the highest retention and lowest cost-per-hire?
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Employee referrals
Employee referrals consistently show higher retention and lower cost because referred candidates arrive with realistic job previews and a built-in social connection.
Q2A job analysis is conducted primarily to produce which foundational HR document?
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: A job description listing duties and qualifications
Job analysis systematically identifies the tasks, duties, and required KSAs of a role, which are then documented in the job description.
Q3An employer's cognitive ability test predicts job performance accurately but disproportionately screens out a protected group and a less-discriminatory equally valid alternative exists. Under EEOC guidance the employer should:
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Adopt the equally valid less-discriminatory alternative
When a selection procedure has adverse impact, Title VII requires using an available alternative that is equally valid but less discriminatory; ignoring it can establish liability.
Q4Under the EEOC's 'four-fifths' (80%) rule, adverse impact is generally indicated when the selection rate for a protected group is:
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Less than 80% of the rate of the highest-selected group
The four-fifths rule flags potential adverse impact when a group's selection rate is below 80% of the rate of the most-selected group.
Q5Which interview format asks candidates to describe how they handled real past situations to predict future behavior?
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Behavioral (STAR-based) interview
Behavioral interviewing rests on the premise that past behavior predicts future behavior, often elicited with the Situation-Task-Action-Result framework.
Q6A company received 400 applications and made 20 hires. What is the selection ratio?
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: 0.05
Selection ratio = hires divided by applicants = 20/400 = 0.05; a lower ratio means greater selectivity.
Q7If 1,000 applicants yield 250 interviews, and 50 of those interviewees receive offers, the yield ratio from interview to offer is:
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: 20%
Yield ratio for that stage = offers/interviews = 50/250 = 20%.
Q8An employer value proposition (EVP) is best described as:
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: The set of rewards and experiences an organization offers in exchange for an employee's skills
The EVP is the unique mix of tangible and intangible rewards (pay, growth, culture, purpose) that attracts and retains talent.
Q9Effective onboarding is most strongly associated with which outcome?
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Faster time-to-productivity and higher new-hire retention
Structured onboarding accelerates role clarity and social integration, improving early retention and time-to-productivity.
Q10A realistic job preview (RJP) primarily reduces turnover by:
Show answer
✓ Correct answer: Setting accurate expectations so poor-fit candidates self-select out
RJPs share both positive and negative job realities, allowing candidates to opt out before hire and improving fit of those who join.
Full PHR SHRM HR bank + unlimited mocks
Try 30 questions free. Unlock the complete PHR SHRM HR question bank, every explanation, and unlimited timed mock exams. Practice on any device.
Unlock PHR SHRM HR →