Certification
How to Prepare
Paper Content
What are we testing for?
- Understanding and application of HR competencies and mindsets
- Ability to partner with the business on operations and HR issues
- Ability to offer strategic and operational inputs on business and HR issues
IHRP Body of Competencies

- HR Strategy and Workforce Planning
- Organisation Development
- Sourcing
- Selecting
- Securing
- Onboarding
- Learning & Development
- Career Management
- Performance Management
- Talent Management
- Succession Planning
- Compensation Management
- Benefits Management
- People Engagement
- Cross Cultural Management
- Labour Relations
- Voluntary exit
- Involuntary exit
- Retirement
Paper A Structure
Each paper is made of:
- 30 MCQs
- 1 mark per correct answer (no negative scoring)
Cases and questions are reflecting companies in Singapore (MNCs, SMEs and public sector) and actual business and HR challenges
Duration of the assessment:
90 Min
Recommended time spent per MCQ:
3 mins per Question
Paper B Structure
Each paper is made of:
- 30 MCQs – 6 Scenarios with 4 – 6 MCQs
- 1 mark per correct answer (no negative scoring)
Cases and questions are reflecting companies in Singapore (MNCs, SMEs and public sector) and actual business and HR challenges
Duration of the assessment:
120 min
Recommended time spent per scenario:
16 – 24 mins per scenario depending on the number of MCQs
Recommended time spent per MCQ:
4 mins per question
Paper C Structure
Each paper is made of:
- 12 Short Answer Questions (SAQs) – 3 cases with 4 questions each
- 2 hard (12 marks), 6 medium (9 marks) and 4 easy (6 marks) questions
Cases and questions are reflecting companies in Singapore (MNCs, SMEs and public sector) and actual business and HR challenges
Duration of the assessment:
180 min
Recommended time spent per case:
1 hour per case
Recommended time spent per SAQ:
15 mins per question
Or…
20 mins for a hard question
16 mins for a medium question
10 mins for an easy question
Paper N Structure
Each paper is made of:
- 90 MCQs
- 1 mark per correct answer (no negative scoring)
- Functional Competencies:
Plan, Attract, Develop, Engage, Separate
- Foundation Competencies:
- Analytics and Insights
- Relationships and Communications
- Technology and Ops Excellence
- Employment Policies and Legislations
- Closed-book assessment
- Knowledge-based questions focusing on the foundational competencies that a HR professional should have to effectively carry out their role.
Duration of the assessment
2 hours
Recommended time spent per question
1 min per question
Three levers for a successful assessment
Show business and functional acumen
- Emphasise the role of HR as a business partner
- Demonstrate HR functional expertise in response to business needs
Sharpen your HR knowledge
- Prepare for each functional competency under the BoC
- Stay abreast of progressive HR practices and national agenda for HR
Provide the best answer
- Understand the questions in their context and provide the correct answer from the choices given
Get Certified
The IHRP certification is a holistic assessment that ensures HR professionals have the requisite
HR knowledge, skills and attributes to excel in their job roles.