Very few individuals take this test with no preparation. The degree to which you prepare is based on your unique work experience and education. They include the following:
Study plans: A study plan is a tool that you design. It's a written plan of attack that addresses the things that make you unique — your specific strengths and weaknesses and the amount of time you have available to study — which means that you'll need to have a general idea of your exam date and assessment scores. Successful test takers must have a written plan of attack. Get organized and stay organized to ensure that you don't miss studying critical exam content.
Practice exams: You can't possibly know the extent of your strengths and weaknesses without taking a sample test. You may be as knowledgeable as any other successful candidate, but applying that knowledge takes preparation. The practice tests are the tool that you can use to accomplish it.
Study groups: Another option for getting ready for the exam is by joining a study group. You can join a study group, either through a college campus or independently.
HRCI generally recommends that you use multiple preparation resources to study for the exam. For this reason, have a preparation resource specific to your exam and then surround yourself with other resources that can take you deeper into the content.