Frequently Asked Questions
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SHRM Assurance of Learning® Assessment Preparation GuidebookDownload Informational Flyer

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible for the exam?
Undergraduate students and graduate students in HR or HR-related degree programs are eligible to take the exam beginning as early as one year before graduation and up to one year after graduation. The registration web site will require the applicant to provide information on a variety of areas, including but not limited to the degree program sought, the university the student attends and the number of HR-specific courses in the major area of study or concentration. Any applicant who meets the eligibility requirements will be given a registration number and information about selecting a test-taking site.

If you are a non-traditional student entering the HR profession for the first time even though you have work experience in a field other than HR, the Assurance of Learning® Assessment is the exam you should take. The Assurance of Learning® Assessment provides a universally recognized benchmark for traditional and non-traditional students with little to no HR work experience to achieve in lieu of certifications offered by the HR Certification Institute, whose eligibility requirements changed in 2011 and require exempt-level professional experience in HR to qualify.

If you are a seasoned HR professional with exempt-level experience in HR, even though you are also a student in an HR or HR-related bachelors or masters degree program, you are not eligible to take the Assurance of Learning® Assessment. Instead, seasoned HR professionals who are also students should consult eligibility requirements for professional certification exams offered by the HR Certification Institute by contacting the Institute directly at www.hrci.org, info@hrci.org or 1-866-898-4724.

Questions?
Phone
800-283-7476, ext. 3926
+1-703-548-3440, ext. 3926
E-mail
assessment@shrm.org
Website
www.shrm.org/assessment

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FEES

What is the application fee?
There is a non-refundable application fee for non-SHRM members of $75.00. There is no application fee for SHRM members.

What is the cost of the exam?
  • $135 for SHRM members.
  • $210 (non-member) which includes the $75 non-refundable application fee.
 What if I am taking the exam outside of the U.S.?
For individuals taking the exam at a test center outside of the United States, there is a subsidy fee for certain countries. Depending on the country, the fee may be $79.00, $113, or $130 (Japan is $130). The charts below indicate the countries and the respective fee. These fees are in addition to the exam fee of $135 for members and $210 for nonmembers.

An additional $79 fee is assessed for examinees who choose a test center in the following countries:

 
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Cocos Islands
  • Fiji
  • Guam
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Korea, Republic of
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
    		•
  • Micronesia
  • Mongolia
  • Myanmar
  • Nepal
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • VietNam
    		•

    An additional $113 fee is assessed for an examinee who chooses a test center in one of the following countries.

     
  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Angola
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Benin
  • Bosnia And Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Congo
  • Cote D'Ivoire
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Democratic Republic
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
    		•
  • Greenland
  • Guinea
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonia
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Moldova
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Netherlands
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Oman
    		•
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Republic Of Monaco
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia and Montenegro
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • Tanzania, United Republic of
  • Togo
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Uzbekistan
  • West Bank
  • Yemen
  • Yugoslavia
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

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    APPLICATION & PAYMENT

    What are the application periods?
    Only one test window is open to apply for the exam at a time. One cannot apply in advance for other test windows.

    The application period closes at midnight Eastern U.S. time on the date indicated for the close of application period, as SHRM Global Headquarters is located in Virginia.

    2013 EXAM WINDOWS
    EXAM WINDOW APPLICATION PERIOD ELIGIBILITY GRADUATION DATE*
    March 15 – April 15 November 16, 2012 - March 5, 2013 January 1, 2012 – April 15, 2014
    July 15 - August 15 April 16 - July 5, 2013 April 16, 2012 – August 15, 2014
    October 15 - November 15 August 16 – October 5, 2013 August 16, 2012 – December 31, 2014

    * If your graduation date falls within this range of dates, you are eligible to take the exam during the associated exam window. If it does not, select an exam window that corresponds with your graduation date, and register for that exam window during the associated registration period.

    2014 EXAM WINDOWS
    EXAM WINDOW APPLICATION PERIOD ELIGIBILITY GRADUATION DATE*
    March 15 – April 15 November 16, 2013 - March 5, 2014 January 1, 2013 - April 15, 2015
    July 15 - August 15 April 16 - July 5, 2014 April 16, 2013 - August 15, 2015
    October 15 - November 15 August 16 - October 5, 2014 August 16, 2013 - December 31, 2015

    * If your graduation date falls within this range of dates, you are eligible to take the exam during the associated exam window. If it does not, select an exam window that corresponds with your graduation date, and register for that exam window during the associated application period.

    I am a student...how do I apply and pay?
    Apply online and in this process, individuals must provide information regarding their HR program and courses taken. Payment is online with a credit card.

    If for any reason an applicant receives a message stating he or she is ineligible to take the exam, the applicant must contact the Assessment staff at assessment@shrm.org or 1-800-283-7476 x3926 (EXAM) or 703-548-3440 x3926 (EXAM).

    I am a university administrator...how do I apply and pay?
    University administrators may elect to purchase exams in volume and may select from a variety of ranges (please see below). These prices reflect the rates for universities that purchase exams on behalf of their students. The rate is fixed, regardless of student’s SHRM membership status.

    Universities may pay be credit card or check. Please see the pdf application form.

    Bulk Order Form for Universities Purchasing Multiple Exam Seats

    PURCHASE... RECEIVE...
    1-4 exams Full Price
    5-24 exams 10% discount ($121.50 per student)
    25-49 exams 15% discount ($114.75 per student)
    50-74 exams 20% discount ($108 per student)
    75-99 exams 25% discount ($101.25 per student)
    100+ exams 30% discount ($94.50 per student)

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    SCHEDULE THE EXAM APPOINTMENT

    Where can I take the exam?
    You may take your exam at any Prometric Testing Center (PTC) located in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada or internationally. The most up-to-date list of centers is available online at www.prometric.com/shrm. When scheduling an appointment, verify the test center address and obtain travel directions.

    *Special Note: If you are unfamiliar with the location of the test center, we strongly suggest you conduct a “trial run” prior to the date of your exam appointment. If you arrive late on exam day, you may not be allowed to take the exam.

    How do I schedule my exam appointment?
    Once an individual applies and pays, SHRM sends an electronic Authorization to Test letter (ATT letter) to the individual with the information to schedule for a test location. You may then schedule your exam appointment either online or by phone with Prometric. We encourage you to schedule your exam appointment online. It is a faster and more efficient method.

    You may take the exam only once during a testing window. If you need to reschedule your exam appointment and do not do so prior to your exam appointment according to the guidelines OR if you miss your exam appointment, you forfeit all fees.

    Please note that once you apply for the SHRM Assurance of Learning® Assessment, and have received your Authorization to Test (ATT ) letter from SHRM, it is your responsibility to contact Prometric to schedule your exam date, location and time. It is strongly recommended that you schedule the exam date with Prometric promptly, or risk not being able to take the exam at the test site and date that you prefer, because the available exam seats fill up quickly. If you miss scheduling your exam date with Prometric for the exam window for which you registered, then you will have to apply again for another exam window, and again pay the application fee.

    What if I lost my Authorization to Test (ATT) letter?
    A student can get another copy of his or her ATT letter by going to www.shrm.org/assessment to log into the registration system. Click on “I am student” and then go to “Get a copy of my exam registration confirmation.” There is a login screen, requiring the membership/customer ID and password. Your exam registration confirmation contains the ATT Letter.

    Will I receive a confirmation of my scheduled exam appointment?
    After you schedule your exam appointment via phone or online, you will receive an e-mail detailing the exam appointment information. It will include a confirmation number issued by Prometric. You must retain this confirmation number; it differs from your User ID number and is required to re-confirm, reschedule or cancel an exam appointment.

    CANCELLATIONS, RESCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS AND TRANSFERS

    Can I transfer my exam registration to another testing window?
    No. It is not possible to transfer your registration from one test window to another. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this policy.

    Can I cancel or move my appointment to another day in the same test window?
    There are two processes and fees that accompany both:
    1. Canceling your exam registration with SHRM.
    2. Canceling or moving your exam appointment with Prometric to another day in the same test window.
    If you choose to cancel taking the exam, cancel a scheduled appointment to take the exam or move an appointment to take the exam, please note that there are limitations regarding timing, and there are associated fees from both SHRM and Prometric. Please read the information below carefully.

    SHRM Cancellation Policy
    Cancellations are possible only during the application period for each test window. Cancellations processed before the application period closes are subject to a $75 administrative fee. The $75 fee is deducted from the fee paid upon registration. One example: if you paid SHRM $135 to apply to take the exam, the $75.00 fee will be deducted before issuing the refund. $135 minus $75 equals a $60.00 refund.

    When can I cancel my exam registration with SHRM?
    If you are unable to take the exam, or decide you do not want to take the exam, you must submit your request before application period closes for each test window. Submit your cancellation request in writing and e-mail it to assessment@shrm.org before the application period for the test window for which you are registered closes. Cancellations will be assessed a $75 administrative fee as noted above.

    What if I want to cancel my registration but the application window has already closed?
    Cancellations received after the application period closes for each test window are nonrefundable. If you cancel your registration after the application period closes you forfeit your entire registration fee.

    Prometric Cancellation/Move Policy
    This policy, and associated fees, applies to both cancelling and moving your exam appointment with Prometric.

    CATEGORY CANCELLATION/MOVE PERIOD CANCELLATION/MOVE FEE
    1 30 or more days before Test date None
    2 5-29 days before scheduled Test date $50 per cancellation/move (to be collected by Prometric from the Candidate)
    3 a) less than 5 days before Test date, or
    b) fails to appear for a scheduled Test, or
    c) presents himself/herself more than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled start time for taking the Ttest and is refused admission     		The full Candidate Testing Fee for the cancelled/moved Test. If there is a difference between the Candidate Testing Fee and Test Delivery Fee, Client shall be entitled to the remainder.


    What if I need to cancel or move my exam appointment with Prometric to another test day within the test window?
    You may cancel or move your exam appointment by contacting Prometric directly and making the request by 12:00 noon, local time, no less than five (5) business days prior to the day of your scheduled exam appointment. A fee will be assessed (see matrix above). Saturday and Sunday do NOT count as business days at Prometric, even if the test site is open. You must provide your Prometric confirmation number (not your User ID/SHRM account number) when canceling or moving your exam appointment.

    You may move your exam appointment to another day only once within the same testing window. Please note it may not be possible to move your exam appointment with Prometric if the request is made too late in the testing window because the test centers' schedules may be full. Generally the last two weeks of the testing window are the busiest.

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    PREPARE FOR THE EXAM

    SHRM Assurance of Learning® Assessment Preparation GuidebookAre preparation materials available?
    SHRM developed a Study Guide that is available through the SHRMStore®: $40.00 for SHRM members and $50.00 for nonmembers. The study guide includes test taking tips, a sample test exam of 160 questions, 100% representative of the exam with answers and rationales, and sources used to write the test items, such as HR textbooks, websites and articles.

    These materials are intended to help students prepare for the exam, however, the materials do not “teach the test.” SHRM makes no warranty that use of the SHRM preparation materials guarantees passage of the Assurance of Learning® Assessment exam.

    Please be aware that other exam preparation materials may be developed by non-SHRM sources, however, SHRM only can confirm the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of those preparation materials created by SHRM and available exclusively through SHRM.

    MORE REVIEW MATERIALS COMING SOON!

    SHRM will be offering additional review materials, beginning in 2013. More information will soon be available.

    Testimonials
    Litonya Tolson
    Bachelor of Science Business, HR Management
    Western Governors University
    The top benefit of the assessment guide was the rationale that was provided for each answer in the back of the book. It helped me think more in depth about the questions and know what to expect on the exam. The listing of acronyms to learn in the back of the guide was a great help as well.

    Janis Puglia
    MS in Human Resource Development
    School: Villanova
    The study guide was a great investment because it demonstrated how the test questions were structured and this allowed me to feel very relaxed and confident taking the exam. I also appreciated the comprehensive list of resources in the study guide, which helped me to delve deeper into the topics.

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    EXAM DAY

    What should I expect on exam day?
    We cannot emphasize how important it is to be on time for the exam. We strongly recommend that you arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam appointment.
    • If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your exam appointment, you may not be admitted. Late admission will be at the discretion of the test center staff.
    • If you are late to your exam appointment and not permitted to test, you will be considered a "No Show" and will forfeit all fees.
    How much time do I have to complete the exam?
    Four hours, including the brief tutorial and exit survey, are allotted to complete the exam. A brief computer tutorial will be provided before the exam begins and a brief survey concludes the exam.

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    EXAM RESULTS

    When do I get my exam results?
    Students will receive a pass/fail notification, a formal score report and a Certificate of Learning via regular mail up to eight (8) weeks after the test window closes. Your official score report will be mailed to your primary address on record. If you do not receive your official score report, please contact the SHRM Assurance of Learning® Assessment office at assessment@shrm.org.

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    QUESTIONS

    What if I still have questions?
    If you have questions about your exam appointment or test centers, please contact Prometric as follows:
    • Domestic appointments: 1-800-467-9582.
    • International appointments: contact the Regional Contact Center designated for the country in which you wish to test.
    For all other questions, please contact the SHRM Assurance of Learning® Assessment staff at assessment@shrm.org or toll-free at 1-800-283-7476, extension 3926, or 1-703-548-3440, extension 3926.