12-week study plan

Oct. 12, 2026 → early January 2027 · 0 of 13 weeks complete

★ If you fall behind, protect the Leadership cluster (19%), the People domain (19%) and the situational judgment strategy.

1. Week 1

   Oct 12–18This week
   Core: Part 0 · Ch. 1 Leadership & Navigation · Ch. 2 Ethical PracticeStretch: Do every practice question in Ch. 1–2. Skim the free SHRM BASK PDF. Submit your exam application.
   Part 0 · Start HereCh. 1 · Leadership & NavigationCh. 2 · Ethical Practice

2. Week 2

   Oct 19–25
   Core: Ch. 3 Inclusive Mindset · Ch. 4 Relationship ManagementStretch: Make your own one-page table of the culture models (Hofstede, Hall, Trompenaars).
   Ch. 3 · Inclusive Mindset (new in the 2026 BASK)Ch. 4 · Relationship Management

3. Week 3

   Oct 26–Nov 1
   Core: Ch. 5 Communication · Ch. 6 Business AcumenStretch: Practice the finance formulas in Appendix A until you can do them from memory.
   Ch. 5 · CommunicationCh. 6 · Business Acumen

4. Week 4

   Nov 2–8
   Core: Ch. 7 Consultation · Ch. 8 Analytical AptitudeStretch: Redo the statistics examples by hand. Schedule your Prometric appointment.
   Ch. 7 · ConsultationCh. 8 · Analytical Aptitude

5. Week 5

   Nov 9–15
   Core: Ch. 9 HR Strategy · Ch. 10 Talent AcquisitionStretch: Review the 1st set of missed questions (Ch. 1–8).
   Ch. 9 · HR StrategyCh. 10 · Talent Acquisition

6. Week 6

   Nov 16–22
   Core: Ch. 11 Employee Engagement & Retention · Ch. 12 Learning & DevelopmentStretch: Write out the 5 ADDIE steps and the 4 Kirkpatrick levels from memory.
   Ch. 11 · Employee Engagement & RetentionCh. 12 · Learning & Development

7. Week 7

   Nov 23–29 · Thanksgiving
   Core: Ch. 13 Total RewardsStretch: Lighter week. Do the compensation math drills.
   Ch. 13 · Total Rewards

8. Week 8

   Nov 30–Dec 6
   Core: Ch. 14 Structure of HR · Ch. 15 Org. Effectiveness & Development · Ch. 16 Workforce ManagementStretch: Review the People-domain practice questions.
   Ch. 14 · Structure of the HR FunctionCh. 15 · Organizational Effectiveness & DevelopmentCh. 16 · Workforce Management

9. Week 9

   Dec 7–13
   Core: Ch. 17 Employee & Labor Relations · Ch. 18 Technology ManagementStretch: Union election bars and ULP lists.
   Ch. 17 · Employee & Labor RelationsCh. 18 · Technology Management

10. Week 10

    Dec 14–20
    Core: Ch. 19 Managing a Global Workforce · Ch. 20 Risk Management · Ch. 21 CSRStretch: Review the Organization-domain questions.
    Ch. 19 · Managing a Global WorkforceCh. 20 · Risk ManagementCh. 21 · Corporate Social Responsibility

11. Week 11

    Dec 21–27 · Holidays
    Core: Ch. 22 U.S. Employment Law. This is your strength, so focus on employer-size thresholds and HR application.Stretch: Law quick-reference table (Appendix B).
    Ch. 22 · U.S. Employment Law & RegulationsAppendix B · Theories and Models Cheat Sheet

12. Week 12

    Dec 28–Jan 3
    Core: Full review. Final mixed practice set (Part 5) under timed conditions (about 1 minute per question). Re-read every ★ tip.Stretch: Reread the chapters where you scored lowest.
    Part 5 · Final Mixed Practice Set

13. Test window

    Jan 4–15
    Core: Light review of Appendix A (formulas) and Appendix B (laws) only. Get sleep.
    Appendix A · Formula SheetAppendix B · Theories and Models Cheat Sheet