Certified Public Relations Specialist
Exam Question And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which element is most essential in defining public relations?
A. Advertising
B. Communication management
C. Sales promotions
D. Personal selling
Rationale: Public relations is fundamentally about managing communication
between an organization and its publics.
2. What is the primary goal of crisis communication?
A. Increase sales
B. Entertainment
C. Protect reputation
D. Attract investors
Rationale: Crisis communication focuses on safeguarding an organization’s
reputation during difficult events.
3. The RACE model in PR stands for:
A. Research, Action, Communication, Evaluation
B. Research, Action, Communication, Evaluation
C. Respond, Assess, Control, Evaluate
D. Recognize, Act, Communicate, Examine
Rationale: RACE is a classic public relations process model.
4. A target audience is:
A. Everyone in the world
B. A specific group of people an organization wants to reach
,C. Only internal employees
D. Only media professionals
Rationale: PR efforts are directed at specific audiences relevant to the
organization’s objectives.
5. What is a press release?
A. A paid advertisement
B. Internal memo
C. A written statement issued to media
D. A sales brochure
Rationale: Press releases provide newsworthy information to journalists.
6. Media relations is primarily concerned with:
A. Customer promotions
B. Financial analysis
C. Relationships with journalists and media outlets
D. Product pricing
Rationale: Media relations focuses on managing contacts with the press.
7. The term “spin” refers to:
A. Entertaining content
B. Honest reporting
C. Biased interpretation to influence perception
D. Financial audit
Rationale: Spin is a slanted interpretation presented as objective.
8. The purpose of SWOT analysis in PR planning is to:
A. Set pricing
B. Hire staff
C. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
D. Measure profits
Rationale: SWOT helps understand internal and external factors affecting
strategy.
, 9. Ethics in public relations emphasizes:
A. Deception to win
B. Honesty and transparency
C. Exaggeration for impact
D. Ignoring stakeholders
Rationale: Ethical PR practice requires integrity and openness.
10. Which communication channel offers interactive engagement?
A. Billboards
B. Flyers
C. Social media platforms
D. Printed newsletters
Rationale: Social media allows two-way interaction.
11. A key performance indicator (KPI) is used to:
A. Recruit employees
B. Print business cards
C. Measure success of PR efforts
D. Set tax rates
Rationale: KPIs quantify performance against objectives.
12. Which is a proactive PR strategy?
A. Damage control
B. Launching a media campaign
C. Responding to rumors
D. Crisis team activation
Rationale: Proactive strategies aim to influence events before they occur.
13. In public relations, stakeholders are:
A. Only employees
B. Only shareholders
C. Individuals or groups affected by an organization
D. Only customers
Rationale: Stakeholders include all groups impacted by actions.
Exam Question And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which element is most essential in defining public relations?
A. Advertising
B. Communication management
C. Sales promotions
D. Personal selling
Rationale: Public relations is fundamentally about managing communication
between an organization and its publics.
2. What is the primary goal of crisis communication?
A. Increase sales
B. Entertainment
C. Protect reputation
D. Attract investors
Rationale: Crisis communication focuses on safeguarding an organization’s
reputation during difficult events.
3. The RACE model in PR stands for:
A. Research, Action, Communication, Evaluation
B. Research, Action, Communication, Evaluation
C. Respond, Assess, Control, Evaluate
D. Recognize, Act, Communicate, Examine
Rationale: RACE is a classic public relations process model.
4. A target audience is:
A. Everyone in the world
B. A specific group of people an organization wants to reach
,C. Only internal employees
D. Only media professionals
Rationale: PR efforts are directed at specific audiences relevant to the
organization’s objectives.
5. What is a press release?
A. A paid advertisement
B. Internal memo
C. A written statement issued to media
D. A sales brochure
Rationale: Press releases provide newsworthy information to journalists.
6. Media relations is primarily concerned with:
A. Customer promotions
B. Financial analysis
C. Relationships with journalists and media outlets
D. Product pricing
Rationale: Media relations focuses on managing contacts with the press.
7. The term “spin” refers to:
A. Entertaining content
B. Honest reporting
C. Biased interpretation to influence perception
D. Financial audit
Rationale: Spin is a slanted interpretation presented as objective.
8. The purpose of SWOT analysis in PR planning is to:
A. Set pricing
B. Hire staff
C. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
D. Measure profits
Rationale: SWOT helps understand internal and external factors affecting
strategy.
, 9. Ethics in public relations emphasizes:
A. Deception to win
B. Honesty and transparency
C. Exaggeration for impact
D. Ignoring stakeholders
Rationale: Ethical PR practice requires integrity and openness.
10. Which communication channel offers interactive engagement?
A. Billboards
B. Flyers
C. Social media platforms
D. Printed newsletters
Rationale: Social media allows two-way interaction.
11. A key performance indicator (KPI) is used to:
A. Recruit employees
B. Print business cards
C. Measure success of PR efforts
D. Set tax rates
Rationale: KPIs quantify performance against objectives.
12. Which is a proactive PR strategy?
A. Damage control
B. Launching a media campaign
C. Responding to rumors
D. Crisis team activation
Rationale: Proactive strategies aim to influence events before they occur.
13. In public relations, stakeholders are:
A. Only employees
B. Only shareholders
C. Individuals or groups affected by an organization
D. Only customers
Rationale: Stakeholders include all groups impacted by actions.
