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!
Monday, April 26, 2010
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!
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:
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!