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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Official letter and the Frame!

So today I got a letter in the mail explaining that I am now officially a CHRP and can use those letters at the end of my name (just like most certifications) so like Jane Smith, CHRP. Although that letter, signed by the Director, is my official documentation that I met all the requirements to be a CHRP we also get a certificate. The HRPA provides a frame however it just wasn't pretty enough so of course I upgraded to a nice wooden frame that looks way more professional and just plain cute. I'm excited for it to arrive in 3-4 weeks and then all this CHRP business is done! I am so so happy that I passed and am finished! It's just nice to have these things behind us, yes? Speaking of which I really need to buy a frame for my degree. That poor thing has been sitting around without a frame for two years - actually one year it sat at the register office and then the next year it has been in a folder. I need to get on that next!

The letter that I got today also stated that my recertification deadline is May 31, 2013. Wow, that seems like such a long time away but we all know how quickly time flies! I already have a few volunteer items that I'm able to update my recertification log with! :)

Okay, so CHRP mission accomplished. On to the next! :)

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Officially Passed!

This morning on the HRPA website was a nightmare. It took me literally 20 minutes to get to my educational profile to see my mark for the NPPA. I should have expected that because of the record exam writers that they had in this exam seating. My mark was better than I expected so I can officially call myself a CHRP (and add those four little letters next to my name!!!). I'm very excited!!!!!

I assume with the next few days the CCHRA or HRPA will release all the data to see the exam breakdown so we can see the average marks. The already released the pass rate for the NPPA which was 63%, with an average score of 71%. Considering, in October 2009 seating the average pass rate was 83% this seems to be very questionable. The pass rate on the English NKE was 45%, with an average score of 64% and the pass rate on the French NKE was 53%, with an average score of 66%. The following statement was said to address the concern:

"The low pass rate is thought to be due to the dramatic increase in the number of exam writers hoping to complete the exams before the degree requirement comes into effect in 2011. The degree requirement has been pending for 7-8 years. However, some exam writers may have attempted to pass the NKE prematurely in the hopes of establishing their candidacy for the CHRP prior to the implementation of the degree requirement." (Source, www.chrp.ca)

I'm sure once the breakdowns are released more communication will be given but I do feel bad for those who tried to get their exams done before: 1) the three year experience requirement and 2) the degree requirement. I know personally, I do not have the three year experience requirement so that's why I wrote the NPPA in such urgency. I mean, had it not been the last seating for Ontario I probably wouldn't have stressed as much. But I PASSED!!!! YAYY!!

Tomorrow, HRPA will give us an email breakdown on how we did on each of the sections and how much of an adjustment (if any) was given. I really am interested in see this information and will be sure to update on more information.

I hope this blog was useful to all of you! I wish more people in Ontario could use in the future but they are phasing out the NPPA and I didn't focus on the NKE since I wrote that test prior to opening this blog.

I'm really happy that I did this blog, although I didn't update it as much as I thought I would but it really kept me on focus and was a great place where I could gather information and talk about it. I will probably do a few more updates with items that pertain to my certification. Right now, I'm going to make a list of what to update with my new CHRP!!!!

Talk to you all soon!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

An Early Woo-Hoo!!

I heard that if you check the membership register early - you could see your CHRP results. So I did and I passed!!! It says under member type "CHRP member" so Yipee!! Tomorrow at 9am is when I get my official results but hey this looks like good news!! I hope it's right! hahah Otherwise, I would be quite embrassessed!!

I really want to know my mark. I'm going to guess in the 70's but I'll know tomorrow at 9am!

Talk to you then!!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

National Exam Results - Delayed

So this morning I woke up as per usual and had the day off due to the July 1 Holiday. I logged onto the HRPA website to see if I can get a sneak at my results and I see this:


National Exam Results - Delayed

CCHRA has advised HRPA that results have been delayed due to technical difficulties in the exam scoring process. The CCHRA, as does HRPA, appreciates your patience as CCHRA works to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and ensure accurate reporting of exam results

CCHRA has not yet communicated an exact date on which the results will be released, but it should be no later than Wed July 7, 2010. As soon as HRPA is advised by CCHRA of the date on which the exam results are to be released, we will post the exact date and time on the Office of the Registrar page under Registrar news.


So now we must wait longer...BOO!!!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Exam is Over!

Well it's all over! I really wanted to summarize my thoughts about the exam right after it was over but it has been a busy week! Luckily, right after the exam I made a few key points about my thoughts so that I would be able to remember them.
I finished the exam with over an hour left but decided not to go and try to change all of my answers. Just as we were told there were 65 questions with 5 questions that were unmarked (therefore, we are able to get about 18 wrong :) ) The exam seemed a lot more simple than the practice questions (but that might not be a good thing!!). I wouldn't necessarily call the exam difficult but rather tricky and I also found that it was easy to eliminate 2 answers and then had to chose between two questions (50-50 chance, right?). I used the SCORE method with most of the questions but others I just eliminated the obviously wrong answers and did some analysis with notes but primarily I used SCORE and even forced myself to evaulate it with questions that I wanted to pick the answer right away.
I'm really glad that I packed the night before and brought essentials (my cherry lip butter from the body shop even came in handy!). My hair was bothering me because I work it in a headband with my bangs out in the front (kind of like Lauren Conrad wears alot) so I had to put it up in a pony tail and push my bangs back with the headband. I really think I get too comfortable when it's time to get down to work! But anyway, my point is the morning was very stress free because I packed my pencil case and essentials the night before. Being prepared helps!
Okay, so two months away for the results (I think that is insane!). So maybe in July I will update this blog with an update and then hopefully I will be updating about the receritification process (fingers crossed!!!).

Monday, April 26, 2010

What a Crazy Month!!

I was very excited to track this blog with my studying but I have been so busy studying that I guess I slacked off a bit on it. Officially, we have about 5 days until the exam on Saturday and I still want to keep studying. I read from the CCHRA discussion that their practice tests are much harder than the actual exam so I am crossing my fingers on that one (because their exams are very challenging!!!). I'm doing well with the Canadian HR Press study guides (I have the 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2006 ones - but they are very similar so save your money!!). Saturday is the big day!
It's a little disappointing that there aren't more resources for this exam. I know Human Resources is a growing field but I felt that the information is limited so hopefully we will see more growth in the future.
I read that the May 1 writing has record numbers and I know from people I spoke with it is because people are either 1) trying to get their certification (at least the NKE) before the January 2011 implementation of the degree requirement 2) this is the last writing for the NPPA (at least in Ontario). I have a degree so I have no worries there but I need to write the NPPA since I graduated in 2008 and they require 3 years of solid experience. I heard if you fail the NPPA (always good to know these things!) the HRPA has a back up plan to allow people to do a rewrite. Nothing has been communicated but that's what I heard.

Okay! Backt to the grind! 5 more days of this studying and then SUMMER! haha

Good luck!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Playing Catch Up!

I knew when I wrote them that my study plans were very ambitious but I think I forgot to consider that this past weekend was Easter weekend which meant lots of family gatherings. So today I am playing a nice game of catch up. I am pretty sure that I will be with alot of cramming. That's studying for you - an endless game of catch up! But the clock is ticking...
I am so happy to report that we changed out study group meeting to Wednesday night at six so therefore I can make my Thursday meeting and still have study group session (as I mentioned before I missed two of them!) so that means today I for sure have to make sure I get enough work done to be able to contribute to the group. I hate when people come unprepared which I can't blame them. We are all so busy these days that it's not super easy to get alot of this work done on top of the workload at work. It's tough stuff.
So I am working through practicing questions using the SCORE model. What is with HR and accroymns that start with S? SHARE (behavioural interviewing), STAR (behavioural interviewing), SMART (goal planning, not just a HR thing but anyway)! I'm starting to get confused. Anyways, it's coming along but I have to stop myself from jumping to the right answer without doing a proper analysis. Everything I read says that it's dangerous to do so and I have 25 days to go to break that habit!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Quick Update

Twenty-Eight days to go!

I need to update my progress report which is my second report to track how much I have been doing these last few days which will make me happy because I finally feel as though I have the foundations down. So now all I have to do is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! I have plenty of material to study from so that's really good.

I read a great break down for a time break down specifically for the National Professional Practice Exam (NPPA). It is as followed:
  • 60 seconds for reading and notes. Read down and then read up
  • 30 seconds to read through all four alternatives
  • 15 seconds to reread alternative A and score
  • 15 seconds to reread alternative B and score
  • 15 seconds to reread alternative C and score
  • 15 seconds to reread alternative D and score
  • 45 seconds to review scores, choose alternatives and mark answer sheets

So I think this breakdown is extremely beneficial because time is an extreme factor. In 3.5 hours we have to complete 65 CIs.

So yes, the studying continues. The next 28 days will be extremely busy/intense for me! I am also going to try to focus on updating this blog more often.

My study group met this past two Thursdays without me because I went to two seminars on both Thursdays when they met. This Thursday I have another commitment but I think they are changing the day because the person who is doing it passed the responsibility to one of the students to coordinate. I hope it's not on Thursday! Everything I read says a study groups is beneficial.

Okay! So I will update this tomorrow with progress!

Happy studying!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

NPPA Action Plan

So here it is! My action plan - note it is extremely crazy because I have alot to do and alot to learn! I have to fit in life into this schedule and do well. I will update this periodically to track progress since I will allow myself to play catch up if needed.


Tuesday, March 30, 2010
· Make Study Action Plan - COMPLETE
· Read HR Press prep materials - COMPLETE
· Learn SCORE method - COMPLETE
· Organize materials – confirm time (9:00am - 12:30pm), date (May 1, 2010) number of questions (65 questions with 5 of them unmarked - to be tested for future NPPA exams) and location (local College - room number will be confirmed on April 9 when the authorization letters are issued. Confirmed with HRPA) COMPLETE
· Print CHRP certification handbook (decided to just download it for now since it's 174 pages and alot of it is for the new certification process) COMPLETE
· Print NPPA questions from course COMPLETE
· Do 25 questions to catch up from courses COMPLETE
· Print HR Press’s Question to practice COMPLETE
· Set up Blog to track progress COMPLETE

Wednesday, March 31, 2010
· Do 20 diagnostic exam using SCORE method COMPLETE
· Practice 40 of 2010 exam questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Practice 40 of 2009 exam questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Thursday, April 1, 2010
· Practice 40 of 2006 exam questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Practice 40 of 2007 questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Friday, April 2, 2010
· Practice 40 of 2010 exam questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Practice 30 of 2007 exam questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Saturday, April 3, 2010
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE
· Practice 25 of 2009 questions using SCORE COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam – online questions COMPLETE

Sunday, April 4, 2010
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE
· Practice 25 of 2006 questions using SCORE COMPLETE

Monday, April 5, 2010
· HR Press blog question using SCORE – check last week results COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE
· Do 20 questions COMPLETE

Tuesday, April 6, 2010
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE
· Review Employment Law - ESA COMPLETE
· Do online CCHRA sample questions COMPLETE
· Do 20 questions COMPLETE

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE
· Review Employment Law - H&S Act COMPLETE
· Do 20 questions COMPLETE

Thursday, April 8, 2010
· Study Group – review material covered in session COMPLETE

Friday, April 9, 2010
· Research employment cases (online) COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Saturday, April 10, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Sunday, April 11, 2010
· Do 120 questions practice COMPLETE

Monday, April 12, 2010
· HR Press blog question using SCORE – check last week results COMPLETE
· Do 45 questions COMPLETE

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
· Do 45 questions COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
· Do 45 questions COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Thursday, April15, 2010
· Study Group – review material covered in session COMPLETE

Friday, April 16, 2010
· Do 45 questions COMPLETE
· Review 3 cases COMPLETE

Saturday, April 17, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Sunday, April 18, 2010
· Do 120 questions COMPLETE

Monday, April 19, 2010
· HR Press blog question using SCORE – check last week results COMPLETE

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
· Do 50 questions COMPLETE
· Review 6 cases COMPLETE

Wednesday, April 21, 2010
· Do 50 questions COMPLETE
· Review 6 cases COMPLETE

Thursday, April 22, 2010
· Study Group – review material covered in session COMPLETE

Friday, April 23, 2010
· Do 50 questions COMPLETE
· Review 6 cases COMPLETE

Saturday, April 24, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Sunday, April 25, 2010
· Do 150 questions COMPLETE

Monday, April 26, 2010
· HR Press blog question using SCORE – check last week results COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Tuesday, April 27, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Thursday, April 29, 2010
· Study Group – review material covered in session COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE

Friday, April 30, 2010
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE
· 3 hour timed exam COMPLETE
· Pack supplies and prepare outfit COMPLETE
· Go to bed at 10pm! DONE

Saturday, May 1, 2010
· EXAM DAY!!! YAY DONE
· 65 questions with 3.5 hours
· Water
· Bring sweater
· 8 pencils and 2 erasers
· Photo id (driver’s licence)

So this is where it all begins...

I have been noticing an online saga where people are making blogs about something they are trying to accomplish whether it be plan a wedding, get out of debt or just learn something new. So here is my quest - to successful write the National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA) which is the second (and last!) of the certification exams to become a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). My main reasoning to make this blog is to simply keep myself motivated and to gather information to ensure that I am successful. In my province (Ontario) they are phasing out this exam in turn for a 3 year experience route so it is VERY important that I am successful. This is my first attempt at this exam!

So What Does it Take to be a CHRP?
Here's where it gets difficult because in my provincial chapter (HRPAO - although they dropped the "O" but it's the Ontario chapter) they have made several changes to the certification process. This is makes it hard for those of us who are going under the old requirements because everything is freshly updated. But I will sepearate it for what it means for me and then what it means for the future on another post - just in case any of you were interested!

My Route - the old way to CHRP
* to begin with you must be a member of your provincial association but since I have been a member for a while this is COMPLETE

1. Coursework Requirement - You must take the required courses in order to be eligibile to write the National Knowledge Exam 1. Accounting 2. Managerial Accounting 3. Human Resources Management 4. Organizational Behaviour 5. Comepnsation 6. Training and Development 7. Labour Relations 8. Occupational Health and Safety 9. Human Resources Planning 10. Recruitment and Selection (Staffing) COMPLETE - via degree requirement at the University

2. National Knowledge Exam (NKE) - This is a national exam that is offered two times a year and coveres the following areas. COMPLETE

Functional Dimensions Weighting
Professional Practice 24.0%
Organizational Effectiveness 8.3%
Staffing 19.8 %
Employee & Labour Relations 10.4%
Total Compensation 10.4%
Organizational Learning, T&D 18.8%
Occupational H&S & Wellness 8.3%
Total 100.0%

3. National Professional Practice Assessment (NPPA) - this is the big one that I'm studying for! It's offered twice a year and I'm going to be writing on May 1, 2010. The breakdown is as followed: IN PROGRESS UPDATE as of July 8, 2010 this is COMPLETE

Functional Dimensions Weighting
Professional Practice 19.8%
Organizational Effectiveness 15.4%
Staffing 12.1%
Employee & Labour Relations 16.5%
Total Compensation 16.5%
Organizational Learning, T&D 8.8%
Occupational H&S & Wellness 10.9%
Total 100.0%

So there it is! More updates on this fun adventure to come!