Key Steps to Complete the Course

1. Take the Pre-Assessment (PA):

• Purpose: Identifies areas to focus on before the OA.

• Many students pass the PA on their first attempt without preparation. If not, use the coaching report to guide your studies.

• Aim to pass the PA on the first try to quickly unlock the OA.

2. Review Course Materials:

• Skim the textbook chapters (1–14) or focus on the chapters/topics flagged in the PA.

  • On the first page of each chapter scroll down and watch the overview video of the chapter.

• Key concepts to study:

• HR-related laws (e.g., Wagner, Taft-Hartley, FMLA, COBRA).

• Employee rights and protections.

• Kirkpatrick's Training Evaluation Model.

• Affirmative action, adverse impact vs. disparate treatment.

• Functional vs. dysfunctional turnover.

• Use the end-of-chapter quizzes to solidify your understanding.

3. Watch Instructor Resources:

• Four "Need to Know to Pass": (~2 hours) Covers main topics needed for the OA. This gives you a great overview of the topics.

• Practice Question Review Videos: (~2.5 hours total) Breaks down question styles and answers.

• Take notes during these videos; they are highly recommended by students.

4. Leverage External Resources:

• Quizlets:

• Folder with Quizlets

• Be cautious—some sets may have incorrect answers. Double-check with course materials.

• Consider creating your own flashcards based on PA feedback.

5. Take the Objective Assessment (OA):

• Test Details: Approximately 70 multiple-choice questions.

• Many students report the OA is aligned with the PA but slightly more detailed.

• If you’re scoring 70–80% or higher on chapter quizzes or the PA, you should be ready for the OA.

External Resources and Recommendations

1. Instructor Cohort Videos:

• "Need to Know to Pass" (~2 hours, slides available for download).

• Practice Question Review Session videos (~2.5 hours).

2. End-of-Chapter Resources:

• Textbook quizzes and chapter summaries.

3. Textbook Study Recommendations:

• Focus on chapters 1–9, 12–13 (if time-constrained).

4. Additional Study Methods:

• Flashcards (handwritten or Quizlet-created).

• Skim textbook sections or key areas flagged in PA coaching reports.

Tips and Strategies

• Time Management:

• Many students finish this course in a day or two. However, take the time you need to feel confident.

• Focus on Key Laws and Concepts:

• HR laws and legal concepts are crucial.

• Think of HR as balancing employee advocacy and protecting the company.

• Use Feedback Effectively:

• After taking the PA, study the areas marked as weak.

Encouragement

This course is manageable, especially if you have prior workplace experience. Stay focused, use the resources provided, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your Course Instructor (CI) or WGU mentor for support. With the right preparation, you’ve got this!

Additional Notes

• Always verify with the latest course materials as details may change.

• Compiled and condensed insights from 12 pages of community tips into this study guide.