SHRM-SCP Study Plan by Time Left
What to study first for SHRM-SCP: sections ranked by question count, with plans for four weeks, two weeks and the final week.
- Next test
- 1 December 2026 – 15 February 2027 Add the date to your calendar
- Questions and time
- 134 questions · 220 minutes
- Pass mark
- Reported scale: 120–200; passing candidates receive 200.
- Exam fee
- Standard: USD 399 member / USD 499 nonmember
Start with 10 free questions to find what needs more work. No sign-up, with answer explanations.
Try 10 free questions and see your levelPut what you just read into practice
Start with 10 free questions to find what needs more work. No sign-up, with answer explanations.
Try 10 free questions and see your levelLast verified: 11 November 2026. This is an independent guide; it is not affiliated with SHRM or any government body. Exam details can change, so check the exam page at SHRM before relying on any figure.
This guide answers one question: with the days you have left before SHRM-SCP, what do you study first? Section details are in the syllabus guide; booking and fees are in the registration guide.
The numbers behind the plan
| Fact | What it means for your study |
|---|---|
| Full mock exam here: 134 questions in 220 minutes | About 99 seconds per question. Answer recall questions quickly to leave time for the ones that need reading or calculation. |
| Pass mark: Reported scale: 120–200; passing candidates receive 200. | Your practice accuracy does not convert to this score, so use it to compare your sections with each other. |
| Fee: Standard: USD 399 member / USD 499 nonmember | Every extra attempt costs money and time, so do not book until your mock scores are steady. |
Sections in order of size
- Leadership: 26 questions (19.4%)
- People: 26 questions (19.4%)
- Organization: 24 questions (17.9%)
- Business: 23 questions (17.2%)
- Interpersonal: 18 questions (13.4%)
- Workplace: 17 questions (12.7%)
Four weeks or more
Give the sections 20 study days in proportion to their weight, then keep a week for mock exams:
- Leadership: 3 days
- People: 4 days
- Organization: 4 days
- Business: 3 days
- Interpersonal: 3 days
- Workplace: 3 days
After each section, work its questions in the practice area and read the explanation for every option you got wrong before moving on.
Two weeks
Ten days for the larger sections and four for mock exams and review:
- Leadership: 2 days
- People: 2 days
- Organization: 2 days
- Business: 2 days
- Interpersonal: 1 day
- Workplace: 1 day
The final week
- Day 1: the 10 free questions, to find your weakest sections.
- Days 2 to 4: Leadership and People first because they are the largest, then your weakest section.
- Day 5: one full mock exam: 134 questions in 220 minutes without stopping.
- Day 6: go through every question you got wrong and read the explanation for each option.
- Day 7: light review, and check your appointment, test centre and required ID.
Finished reading? Try a set of questions
Start with 10 free questions to find your weakest units. Keep practising with the full question bank and mock exams from SAR 26.
Sources and references
- SHRM – exam page shrm.org
- SHRM – exam specification shrm.org