Sample Questions

The purpose of sharing these with candidates is to provide insight as to how questions are worded. Some establish a situation in which candidates must apply a level of professional understanding to answer correctly, while others test knowledge of history, theory or tactics in a recitation manner. Some of the questions require multiple correct answers, all of which must be chosen in order for the question to receive one point.

The questions are not designed to be tricky, but they should be challenging for those with the proper professional public relations experience. Any APR candidates should contact UAB members or other APR leaders with questions or suggestions.

Multiple choice, single answer Questions

1) Which law restricts corporate communications for publicly traded companies before and during the period that new securities are being registered? 

1. Securities Act of 1933
2. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
3. Investment Advisers Act of 1940
4. Investment Company Act of 1934

Correct Answer (A).

2) Which of the following entities cannot sue for libel? 

1. A politician
2. A private citizen
3. A house of worship
4. A government institution
5. A publicly-traded company

Correct Answer (D).

3) What public relations pioneer is credited with being the first practitioner to insist on “a place at the management table”?

1. Carl Byoir
2. Edward Bernays
3. Doris Fleischman
4. Arthur Page
5. Harold Burson

Correct Answer (D).

4) What World War I-era organization introduced decentralized publicity “drives” as a strategy to mobilize U.S. public opinion to support the war?

1. The Creel Committee
2. The Red Cross
3. The Council on Public Relations
4. The Office of War Information
5. AT&T

Correct Answer (A).

Multiple choice, multiple answers Questions
(You must get both answers correct to receive full credit. There is no partial credit given.)

1) What are two major reasons why organizations retain outside public relations counsel? (Choose two.)  

1. They offer flexibility of talents and skills.
2. They bring greater credibility to the work. 
3. They will provide sound ROI on the project or program.
4. They provide objectivity and a disinterested perspective.
5. They can provide more attention and detail to a project that in-house staff.

Correct Answer (A and D).

2) What are two examples of an evaluation of outcome? (Choose two.)

1. Change in attitude
2. Placement of message 
3. Distribution of message
4. Size of attentive audience
5. Social and cultural change

Correct Answer (A and E).

Situation analysis Question

1) You work for a utility company that is building a biomass plant in the community. Your employer asks you to give a series of community talks about the plant and future operations. You visit the plant several hours before you are due to give a speech that has been prepared by your immediate supervisor. During the tour of the plant, you discover several claims in the speech are not true.  What do you do?

1. Write and deliver a new speech that you know is entirely correct. 
2. Cancel all speeches until you and your supervisor can get the information straight. 
3. Deliver the speech as prepared and discuss the inaccuracies with your supervisor afterward.
4. Address the inaccuracies with your supervisor immediately and make the necessary corrections before giving the speech. 

Correct Answer (D).

2) You seek the counsel of one of your peers who designed and implemented a communication program that resulted in the successful permitting of an automotive recycling center, despite strong opposition from community organizations. You have to design a program to win approval for a similar project proposed by your company. Your peer gives you a brief piece of advice that succinctly describes the foundation of his successful program.

What is most likely your peer's advice for a successful communication program?

1. Solve their problems
2. Kill them with kindness
3. Expose them to ridicule
4. Overwhelm them with facts

Correct Answer (A).