PHR SHRM HR Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

A contingent job offer means employment is conditioned on:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Successfully meeting stated conditions such as a background check or drug screen. A contingent offer is binding only if the candidate satisfies specified lawful conditions (e.g., reference, background, or medical screen permitted post-offer).

Question 2

Posting open roles internally before external advertising chiefly supports:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Employee development and retention through internal mobility. Internal job posting promotes career growth and retention by giving current employees first access to opportunities.

Question 3

Time-to-fill is best defined as the number of days between:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

A job requisition opening and the candidate accepting the offer. Time-to-fill measures the full requisition cycle—from opening the job to offer acceptance—while time-to-hire measures from candidate entry to acceptance.

Question 4

A key compliance risk when heavily using independent contractors is:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Worker misclassification triggering back taxes and wage liability. Misclassifying employees as contractors can lead to unpaid overtime, back payroll taxes, and penalties under the FLSA and IRS rules.

Question 5

Which factor most improves candidate experience during recruiting?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Timely, transparent communication throughout the process. Clear, timely communication is repeatedly cited as the strongest driver of positive candidate experience and offer acceptance.

Question 6

Using a 'compensatory' selection model means that:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

A high score on one predictor can offset a lower score on another. In a compensatory model, predictor scores are combined so strength in one area can compensate for weakness in another, unlike a multiple-hurdle approach.

Question 7

The '4 Cs' framework for onboarding includes Compliance, Clarification, Culture, and:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Connection. The four Cs of onboarding are Compliance, Clarification, Culture, and Connection—building relationships that speed integration.

Question 8

A 'passive candidate' is best described as someone who:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Is employed and not actively job-seeking but open to the right opportunity. Passive candidates are currently employed and not actively searching; reaching them requires proactive sourcing and a compelling EVP.

Question 9

Listing the 'essential functions' in a job description is especially important for compliance with:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act. Identifying essential functions supports ADA compliance by clarifying which duties a qualified individual must perform with or without reasonable accommodation.

Question 10

A selection test gives very different scores when the same person takes it twice under identical conditions. The test most clearly lacks:

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Reliability. Reliability is consistency of measurement; inconsistent results on retest indicate poor reliability, which also undermines validity.

PHR SHRM HR Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

More PHR SHRM HR practice questions

Free practice here. Timed mocks when you are ready.