TL;DR:
- HRCI partnered with BenchPrep to give PHR/SPHR certification candidates a personalized, on-demand exam prep platform, addressing candidate overwhelm and drop-out risk [1].
- The "build your own bundle" program, launched in 2015, lets candidates register for exams and purchase third-party study materials at reduced rates in one click [1].
- Results include more prepared candidates, longer-term candidate relationships, and a new stream of high-margin non-dues revenue for HRCI [1].
The Challenge: Candidates Were Dropping Out Before Exam Day
HRCI, which has set the standard for HR expertise for 40 years and administers certifications like the Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) and Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®), noticed a problem in the candidate journey [1]. Candidates preparing for certification exams spend countless hours researching licensing options and studying materials, and without the right support, many became overwhelmed and abandoned the process entirely [1]. HRCI wanted to give candidates additional resources to feel prepared on exam day, and saw an opportunity to deepen its relationship with professionals beyond the exam itself [1].
The Solution: A Personalized, On-Demand Learning Platform
HRCI doesn't endorse any single study method or provider, but recognized that choosing exam prep could feel overwhelming for candidates on its own [1]. So it partnered with BenchPrep, described as the industry's first learner success platform, to give candidates easier access to certification preparation offerings [1].
The cloud-based platform works on web or mobile and includes:
- On-demand learning — candidates can study anytime, with syncing across devices [1]
- Gamification — achievement badges, games, and discussions with other learners [1]
- Personalized prep — self-guided study plans with real-time feedback on performance and confidence [1]
- Best-in-class content — simulated exams, official retired questions from previous exams, exam content outlines, and interactive assessments [1]
As Dania Eter, MBA, Chief Global Credentialing and Products Portfolio Officer at HRCI, put it: "BenchPrep's partnerships with other large credentialing bodies gave us the reassurance that they could scale with us as we continue to grow our own programs. We also quickly realized their dedication and commitment once we started interacting with their responsive and collaborative customer success and development teams" [1].
The Bundle Program: One-Click Access to Prep Materials
In May 2015, HRCI launched its "build your own bundle" program on the BenchPrep platform [1]. This lets candidates register for exams and purchase voluntary study and prep materials from external providers at reduced rates, all in one click — saving time and money on a critical step toward exam day [1].
Since that 2015 launch, BenchPrep has expanded to offer practice exams for all HRCI certifications, with another major product rollout planned for Spring 2018 [1]. BenchPrep's turnkey platform and hands-on support have made it easier for HRCI to add prep courses as candidate needs evolve [1].
The Results: Readier Candidates, Stronger Relationships, New Revenue
The partnership has produced three main outcomes for HRCI [1]:
- More prepared candidates. Combining robust content with an engaging approach has helped reduce candidate anxiety and improve readiness [1].
- More long-term relationships. The bundle program gives candidates a one-stop shop for exam prep and certification, making HRCI more tightly woven into the candidate journey. HRCI reports that professionals using the bundle program are less likely to drop out of the certification process [1].
- More stable growth. Bundles added a new stream of high-margin revenue that HRCI can put toward its mission, and BenchPrep's reporting tools give HRCI visibility into learner and course performance — helping it keep evaluating which external prep providers to include [1].
Full detail: How Did HRCI Improve the Candidate Journey for Certification Exams?
Frequently asked questions
How does HRCI's exam prep bundle program work?
Candidates can register for HRCI certification exams and purchase voluntary study and prep materials from external providers at reduced rates in a single click, launched on the BenchPrep platform in May 2015 [1].
What results has HRCI seen from its BenchPrep partnership?
HRCI reports more prepared candidates, stronger long-term candidate relationships with lower drop-out rates, and a new stream of high-margin revenue thanks to the bundle program and BenchPrep's reporting tools [1].
Why did HRCI choose BenchPrep for exam prep?
HRCI wanted an easier way for candidates to access certification preparation offerings without endorsing a single provider, and chose BenchPrep as a scalable, personalized, on-demand learner success platform with responsive customer success and development teams [1].