SHRM-CP PRACTICE EXAM 231 Questions with Verified Answers
1) A specialized field which works on engineering the work environment is: A. industrial
... [Show More] existentialism. B. ergonomics. C. environmentalism. D. engineering design - CORRECT ANSWER B. ergonomics.
2) A primary advantage of unstructured versus structured interviewing techniques is that: A. structured interviews take less time B. in an unstructured interview, the interviewer can ask follow-up questions and pursue points of interest as they develop C. unstructured interviews are in compliance with EEOC regulations, whereas structured interviews are not D. unstructured interviews are more cost effective - CORRECT ANSWER B. in an unstructured interview, the interviewer can ask follow-up questions and pursue points of interest as they develop
3) A common repatriation problem for international companies is that: A. repatriation usually precipitates employee grievances B. there is usually high employee turnover following repatriation C. repatriated employees usually demand significantly higher salaries D. repatriated employees generally do not wish to return to the U.S. - CORRECT ANSWER B. there is usually high employee turnover following repatriation
4) If an OSHA inspector shows up at the workplace, the first step an HR professional should take is: A. check and verify the inspector's credentials B. close the workplace and send the employees home C. deny any violation noted by the inspector D. secure all health and safety related company records in a locked location - CORRECT ANSWER A. check and verify the inspector's credentials
5) Comparing the expense of a program versus its projected and identifiable results is using which planning technique? A. Zero-based budgeting B. MBO C. Cost-benefit analysis D. Variable budgeting - CORRECT ANSWER C. Cost-benefit analysis
6) Frederick Taylor is noted for his contribution to: A. performance appraisal systems B. "humanizing" the workplace C. Making the work process more efficient and less fatiguing D. Pension reform - CORRECT ANSWER C. Making the work process more efficient and less fatiguing
7) An HR professional is investigating reasons for job turnover among company employees moving from one job or department to another. Which data collection method would provide the information without interdepartmental conflicts? A. Surveys to all employees who have changed positions within the last year. B. Group interviews with employees and previous supervisors to discuss reasons for job changes. C. Search through performance appraisal files and personnel records to learn reasons for job turnover within the company. D. Questionnaires distributed only to employees who have changed positions - CORRECT ANSWER C. Search through performance appraisal files and personnel records to learn reasons for job turnover within the company.
8) Of the following, the weakest tool for predicting an applicant's job performance is the: A. application form B. proficiency test C. interview D. prior work reference - CORRECT ANSWER C. interview
9) Keeping a record of all employees and listing significant successes and failures of each describe which method? A. critical incident B. MBO C. Essay form D. Field review - CORRECT ANSWER A. critical incident
10) Which of the following pieces of federal legislation is considered pro management? A. Wagner Act B. National Industrial Recovery Act C. Railway Recovery Act D. Taft-Hartley Act - CORRECT ANSWER D. Taft-Hartley Act
11) The most important element in defending an organization's position in a disciplinary action is to demonstrate that: A. the employee has been warned B. the employee knew the rules before the infraction C. an example was needed to eliminate or reduce similar misbehavior D. progressive discipline has been applied consistent with policy and past practice - CORRECT ANSWER D. progressive discipline has been applied consistent with policy and past practice
12) Which of the following would be considered nontaxable indirect compensation? A. Employee discounts on employer goods or services B. Employer-paid group-term life insurance over $50,000 C. Personal use of a company car D. Severance pay - CORRECT ANSWER A. Employee discounts on employer goods or services
13) The lowest dose level at which toxic effects of a material can be demonstrated is called: A. the adverse impact level B. the toxicity level C. the lethal level D. the just-toxic amount - CORRECT ANSWER B. the toxicity level
14) Which type of organizational structure creates a dual chain of command? A. Line and staff B. Functional C. Matrix D. Vertical - CORRECT ANSWER C. Matrix
15) The use of an aptitude test in the selection process best predicts: A. skill level B. job knowledge C. manual dexterity D. training performance - CORRECT ANSWER D. training performance
16) A company is in the process of establishing formal compensation policies and practices. This company is in which phase of the organizational cycle? A. Introduction B. Transition C. Growth D. Maturity - CORRECT ANSWER D. Maturity
17) The first step in the job analysis process entails: A. deciding how the organization will use the information collected B. writing new job descriptions for all current employees C. comparing old job descriptions with new job specifications D. replacing job descriptions with job specifications - CORRECT ANSWER A. deciding how the organization will use the information collected
18) A process that aims to improve the performance and interaction within a specific group of employees is: A. teambuilding B. a Scanlon plan C. human factors engineering D. survey research - CORRECT ANSWER A. teambuilding
19) Which of the following is a primary advantage of a balanced scorecard? A. It separates business strategy from day-to-day activities. B. It relates performance of business functions to the organization's mission. C. It focuses on financial measurements and hard data results. D. It tracks progress against goals without raising accountability issues. - CORRECT ANSWER B. It relates performance of business functions to the organization's mission.
Use the following information to answer questions 20 through 22)
A manufacturing facility purchases new equipment so that it can increase productivity. Employees are trained on the new equipment. In anticipation of the increased productivity, the piece-rate standards for the workers are increased. However, the operations manager has noticed that the volume and quality of its products has actually declined.
20) What is the FIRST thing the operations manager should do?
A. Talk to employees about the situation.
B. Return to the original compensation plan.
C. Send employees to refresher training.
D. Lower the expected production volume. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Talk to employees about the situation.
A manufacturing facility purchases new equipment so that it can increase productivity. Employees are trained on the new equipment. In anticipation of the increased productivity, the piece-rate standards for the workers are increased. However, the operations manager has noticed that the volume and quality of its products has actually declined.
21) The manager determines that the decline is a result of both the new equipment and the compensation policy. Because some of the employees are not yet proficient on the equipment, they believe that the higher productivity goals are not achievable. What is the next thing the manager should do?
A. Reinstate the original compensation plan. B. Provide a breather period before instituting the new compensation incentives. C. Threaten to reprimand all workers who are falling below standards. D. Provide retraining and coaching for all workers who are below standard. - CORRECT ANSWER D. Provide retraining and coaching for all workers who are below standard.
A manufacturing facility purchases new equipment so that it can increase productivity. Employees are trained on the new equipment. In anticipation of the increased productivity, the piece-rate standards for the workers are increased. However, the operations manager has noticed that the volume and quality of its products has actually declined.
22) The attitude that the employees are exhibiting can be explained by:
A. Theory X and Theory Y. B. Vroom's expectancy theory. C. equity theory. D. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory - CORRECT ANSWER B. Vroom's expectancy theory.
23) Which of the following questions to job applicants is LEGAL under the ADA?
A. How many times were you absent due to illness in the last two years? B. Have you ever filed for workers' compensation? C. I see you are wearing a cast on your arm. How did you hurt yourself? D. Describe any problems you would have lifting a 50-pound dog onto an examination table - CORRECT ANSWER D. Describe any problems you would have lifting a 50-pound dog onto an examination table
24) Which of the following situations that lead to workplace violence can be controlled by an organization?
A. unstable economy B. pressure for increased productivity C. domestic problems D. low self-esteem - CORRECT ANSWER B. pressure for increased productivity
25) The key to a successful expatriate experience is:
A. foreign language competency. B. sending single managers. C. cultural familiarity. D. cultural flexibility and adaptability. - CORRECT ANSWER D. cultural flexibility and adaptability.
26) The concept of reliability refers to:
A. how difficult it is for applicants to "fake out" of a test. B. consistency with which a test measures an item. C. how well the test measures what it is supposed to measure. D. the environmental conditions present when the test is given - CORRECT ANSWER B. consistency with which a test measures an item.
27) If one supervisor interprets performance standards differently from another supervisor, what type of appraisal error is most likely to occur?
A. recovery problem B. rater bias C. halo effect D. rater pattern error - CORRECT ANSWER D. rater pattern error
28) The basic premise underlying the Scanlon Plan is that: A. profits should be shared by all employees. B. efficiency depends on teamwork and plant-wide cooperation. C. employees are more motivated if they share ownership of the firm. D. unions inhibit profitability. - CORRECT ANSWER B. efficiency depends on teamwork and plant-wide cooperation.
29) The Equal Pay Act of 1963: A. prohibits wage discrimination based on sex. B. requires equal pay for jobs of comparable worth. C. prohibits pay differentials based on race, religion, color, sex or national origin. D. is now expired. - CORRECT ANSWER B. requires equal pay for jobs of comparable worth.
30) Which of the following tactics would be identified as an unfair labor practice by management? A. Tell the employees the high cost of union dues. B. Promise employees pay increases if they vote against a union. C. Forbid distribution of union literature during work hours in work areas. D. Show employees negative articles about unions - CORRECT ANSWER B. Promise employees pay increases if they vote against a union.
31) The constitutional guarantee of due process: A. prevents dismissal of just cause. B. encourages constructive discharge C. gives one the opportunity to defend oneself against charges D. required fair and impartial investigations - CORRECT ANSWER C. gives one the opportunity to defend oneself against charges
32) In equity theory, a person's reference for comparing inputs and outcomes is known as: A. comparison other. B. alternate person. C. reference group. D. preferred employee. - CORRECT ANSWER A. comparison other.
33) The grapevine: A. cuts across formal channels of communication. B. is rarely accurate. C. is controlled largely by management. D. is slower than formal communication. - CORRECT ANSWER A. cuts across formal channels of communication.
34) Job enlargement is: A. moving an employee from job to job. B. increasing the number of tasks for which an employee is responsible. C. concerned with increasing employee autonomy. D. is part of MBO practices. - CORRECT ANSWER B. increasing the number of tasks for which an employee is responsible.
35) The concept of broad banding has been developed in order to: A. limit the autonomy of line managers. B. reduce employee mobility within the organization. C. work with flatter organizational structures. D. provide narrower salary ranges. - CORRECT ANSWER C. work with flatter organizational structures.
36) A job function is usually considered essential if it: A. can be performed by many employees. B. is performed infrequently. C. is at least 5-10% of the job. D. requires highly specialized skills. - CORRECT ANSWER D. requires highly specialized skills.
37) Which of the following base-pay systems links pay to the number of skills a worker can perform? A. Time-based. B. Productivity-based. C. Person-based. D. Performance-based. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Person-based.
38) What is the most important requirement for a qualified benefit plan in order to be eligible for favorable tax status? A. The plan must integrate with Social Security. B. The plan must not discriminate in favor of highly compensated executives. C. The plan must shift income to post-working retirement years. D. The plan must provide some type of retirement annuity. - CORRECT ANSWER B. The plan must not discriminate in favor of highly compensated executives.
39) Which type of data is generally unavailable to an HR manager in evaluating the effectiveness of an external Employee Assistance Program? A. Initial diagnosis category B. Referral source C. Vitalization percent D. Treatment outcome - CORRECT ANSWER D. Treatment outcome
40) Comparing specific measures of performance gains data on those measures in "best practice" organizations is known as: A. utility analysis. B. HR auditing. C. performance surveying. D. benchmarking - CORRECT ANSWER D. benchmarking
41) A specialized approach to organizational change in which the employees themselves formulate the change that is required and implement it, often with the assistance of a trained consultant, is called: A. organizational development. B. skills training. C. employee orientation. D. sensitivity training. - CORRECT ANSWER A. organizational development.
42) Which of the following laws imposed significant restrictions on unions in the U.S.? A. The Landrum-Griffin Act. B. The Norris-LaGuardia Act. C. The Wagner Act. D. The National Labor Relations Act - CORRECT ANSWER A. The Landrum-Griffin Act.
43) The ability to inspire and motivate followers to achieve envisioned goals that are self-rewarding is called: A. participative management. B. attribution leadership. C. transactional leadership. D. transformational leadership. - CORRECT ANSWER D. transformational leadership.
44) A major provision of the Civil Rights Acts of 1991 is that: A. it limits compensatory and punitive damages for employers found liable for discriminatory practices. B. it places the burden of proof back on employers and permits the awarding of compensatory and punitive damages. C. it permits the awarding of compensatory damages but now punitive damages. D. it permits the awarding of punitive damages but not compensatory damages - CORRECT ANSWER B. it places the burden of proof back on employers and permits the awarding of compensatory and punitive damages.
45) Which type of group is most susceptible to groupthink? A. A formal group. B. An informal group. C. A highly cohesive group. D. A leaderless group - CORRECT ANSWER C. A highly cohesive group.
46) The best way to deal with dangerous work situations is to: A. reengineer the workplace. B. provide employees with more training. C. carefully look at the human aspects of the job design. D. focus on work design and human nature. - CORRECT ANSWER D. focus on work design and human nature.
47) What would a compa-ratio of 110 indicate? A. Salary range is competitive with the market. B. Salary range is low in relation to the market. C. Salary range is high in relation to the market. D. Average salaries paid are ten percent above the midpoint of the salary range. - CORRECT ANSWER D. Average salaries paid are ten percent above the midpoint of the salary range.
48) For which position would an employer most likely be able to support a BFOQ based on sex? A. Sportscaster B. Locker room attendant. C. Nurse D. OB-GYN physician - CORRECT ANSWER B. Locker room attendant.
49) A primary employer advantage of implementing a skill-based pay system is: A. increased compensation costs. B. ease of administration. C. increased employee productivity. D. reduction of training and development expenses. - CORRECT ANSWER C. increased employee productivity.
50) Simulation and gaming training is most often directed toward improvements in: A. decision-making. B. human relation problem solving. C. diversity initiatives. D. culture. - CORRECT ANSWER A. decision-making.
51) Gainsharing programs attempt to increase employees': A. satisfaction. B. discretionary effort. C. quality of production. D. involvement in the productivity process. - CORRECT ANSWER B. discretionary effort.
52) What should a supervisor do is she is aware of a dangerous situation in her department? A. Stop the operation until the condition is corrected B. Advise the supervisor on the next shift. C. Do nothing until the condition can be corrected without stopping production. D. Warn the employees involved in the operation of the hazard and continue production. - CORRECT ANSWER A. Stop the operation until the condition is corrected B. Advise the supervisor on the next shift.
53) Under which of the following conditions would decentralization of staff functions be recommended? A. Need for contractual negotiations with external agents. B. Function and product/service orientation. C. Need for collaboration within operating units. D. Operating units that have conflicting goals and strategies - CORRECT ANSWER C. Need for collaboration within operating units.
54) Top management has directed HR to develop a middle-management recruitment strategy for the company's new overseas operations. Which of the following techniques would be a necessary prerequisite for other actions? A. Anticipated labor needs analysis. B. Environmental scanning. C. Trend analysis projections. D. Delphi judgmental forecasting. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Environmental scanning.
55) A(n) _______ is the individual who must make an ethical choice in an organization. A. symbolic leader B. obstructive manager C. religious individual D. moral agent - CORRECT ANSWER D. moral agent
56) A corporate-level strategy is concerned with the question: A. what business are we in? B. how do we compete? C. should we promote from within? D. where do we market our products? - CORRECT ANSWER A. what business are we in?
57) The ______ prohibits discrimination based on physical or mental disability. A. Civil Rights Act. B. Immigration Reform and Control Act C. Vocational Rehabilitation Act D. Age Discrimination in Employment Act - CORRECT ANSWER C. Vocational Rehabilitation Act
58) From the employer's perspective, which of these is part of a new social contract? A. Standard training programs. B. Limited information. C. Incentive compensation. D. Routine jobs. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Incentive compensation.
59) Shadow, Inc. uses a standard application form for most jobs in its organization. One of the questions on the form inquires as to the financial liability record of the applicants. If you were doing an HR audit of this firm, which of the following would help to establish the adverse impact of this question? A. The applicant's response had no impact on the chances of being hired. B. Minorities are less likely to have financial liabilities. C. Financial liabilities have nothing to do with job performance. D. Women would be favorably impacted - CORRECT ANSWER C. Financial liabilities have nothing to do with job performance.
60) Which of the following best describes the Hersey-Blanchard situational leadership theory? A. It identifies high risk and high relationship behavior as the ideal leadership style. B. It asserts that employees dislike rigid controls and inherently want to accomplish something. C. It advises using the same style for similar situations and varying the style as the situation changes. D. It states that leadership is based on an accumulation of traits best suited for managing. - CORRECT ANSWER C. It advises using the same style for similar situations and varying the style as the situation changes.
61) In a union certification election, what percentage of the votes does the union need to receive in order to win? A. 30% of total eligible votes. B. At least 51% of total eligible votes. C. 30% of total votes cast. D. At least 50% of total votes cast plus one - CORRECT ANSWER D. At least 50% of total votes cast plus one
62) An important workforce demographic consideration for today's HR professionals is that: A. the workforce has become less diverse in recent years. B. the average age of the workforce is declining. C. older workers are more likely to remain in the workforce past the age of 65) D. Diversity initiatives are no longer needed in most organizations. - CORRECT ANSWER C. older workers are more likely to remain in the workforce past the age of 65) [Show Less]