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aPHR Cheat Sheet

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Talent Acquisition

  • 19% of exam
  • Jobs Sourcing Selection Interviewing Onboarding

Learning + Retention

  • 15% of exam
  • Training ADDIE Evaluation Engagement Retention

Compensation + Benefits

  • 17% of exam
  • Pay Benefits FLSA Equity Payroll

Employee Relations

  • 24% of exam
  • Performance Discipline Communication Culture Grievances

Compliance + Risk

  • 25% of exam
  • Law Safety Privacy Investigations Policy

Quick Facts

  • Credential aPHR
  • Issuer HRCI
  • Level Entry level
  • Experience Not required
  • Questions 90 total
  • Time 1h 45m
  • Pass 500 scaled

Hiring Flow TA

  • Analyze, source, screen, select, onboard.
  • Analyze Source Screen Select Onboard

Description vs Specification TA

Description

  • Job duties
  • Role summary

Specification

  • Worker qualifications
  • KSA list
  • Duties versus requirements

Hiring Picker TA

  • Role unclear → Job analysis
  • Duties needed → Job description
  • Qualifications needed → Job specification
  • Pipeline thin → Sourcing plan
  • Candidates screened → Structured interview
  • Finalist chosen → Selection criteria
  • Offer accepted → Onboarding plan
  • Skill gap appears → Training plan

Job Analysis TA

  • Job analysis Study work
  • Job description Duties summary
  • Job specification KSA requirements
  • Essential function Core job duty
  • Competency Observable capability
  • Workforce plan Staffing forecast
  • Headcount Employee count

Recruitment vs Selection TA

Recruitment

  • Attract applicants
  • Build pool

Selection

  • Choose candidate
  • Use criteria
  • Attract then choose

Recruiting + Selection TA

  • Recruitment Attract candidates
  • Sourcing Find candidates
  • Screening Initial fit check
  • Structured interview Consistent questions
  • Behavioral question Past behavior evidence
  • Selection Choose best fit
  • Onboarding Integrate employee

ADDIE LE

  • Analyze, design, develop, implement, evaluate.
  • Analyze Design Develop Implement Evaluate

Coaching vs Mentoring LE

Coaching

  • Performance focused
  • Shorter term

Mentoring

  • Career focused
  • Relationship based
  • Match development need

Learning Development LE

  • Needs analysis Find skill gaps
  • ADDIE Training design model
  • Orientation Initial introduction
  • Training Build job skills
  • Coaching Performance focused
  • Mentoring Career focused
  • Kirkpatrick Evaluate training

Base vs Variable RE

Base pay

  • Fixed wages
  • Predictable cost

Variable pay

  • Performance linked
  • Changes with results
  • Know pay purpose

Compensation RE

  • Total rewards Pay plus value
  • Base pay Fixed compensation
  • Variable pay Performance linked
  • Pay grade Grouped jobs
  • Pay range Minimum midpoint maximum
  • Pay equity Fair job pay
  • Payroll Process wages

Benefits RE

  • Benefits Indirect compensation
  • Eligibility Who qualifies
  • Enrollment Benefit election
  • Deductible Employee pays first
  • HSA Tax advantaged account
  • FSA Pretax spending account
  • 401k Retirement savings

SMART RE

  • Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.
  • Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound

Issue Picker RE

  • Expectation unclear → Set SMART goal
  • Skill missing → Coach employee
  • Conduct issue → Document facts
  • Policy violation → Apply policy
  • Complaint filed → Investigate promptly
  • Safety risk → Escalate immediately
  • Legal issue → Consult HR leadership
  • Data involved → Protect privacy

Employee Relations RE

  • Performance Results against goals
  • SMART goal Clear measurable target
  • Feedback Performance guidance
  • Engagement Work commitment
  • Discipline Correct behavior
  • Grievance Formal complaint
  • Culture Shared norms

Exempt vs Nonexempt RI

Exempt

  • No overtime
  • Duties test

Nonexempt

  • Overtime eligible
  • Track hours
  • Classify carefully

Exam Basics RI

  • aPHR Entry HR credential
  • Eligibility No HR experience
  • Scored 65 questions
  • Pretest 25 questions
  • Time 105 minutes
  • Scale 100 to 700
  • Pass 500 scaled

Compliance + Risk RI

  • FLSA Wage hour law
  • Exempt No overtime
  • Nonexempt Overtime eligible
  • EEO Equal opportunity
  • Harassment Prohibited conduct
  • OSHA Workplace safety
  • Privacy Protect employee data

Common Traps

Experience Assumption

  • aPHR entry level ≠ No HR experience

Job Document Mixup

  • Description lists duties ≠ Specification lists KSAs

Interview Fairness

  • Use consistent questions ≠ Use job criteria

FLSA Classification

  • Duties matter ≠ Track nonexempt time

Complaint Handling

  • Document facts ≠ Escalate serious risks

Last Minute

  • 1. Review domain weights
  • 2. Separate hiring steps
  • 3. Memorize ADDIE
  • 4. Memorize SMART
  • 5. Compare pay types
  • 6. Check FLSA classes
  • 7. Document employee issues
  • 8. Protect employee privacy

APHR

  • Practice Questions 200 questions Study Guide 19 topics Cheat Sheet 56 facts Flashcards 50 cards Shorts 3 short s Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog Free CE