ACCREDITED IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
(APR) EXAMINATION QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary purpose of public relations is to
A. Increase sales directly
B. Manage an organization’s reputation and relationships
C. Replace advertising
D. Control media outlets
Answer: B
Rationale: Public relations focuses on building and maintaining mutually
beneficial relationships and managing reputation, not direct sales or media
control.
2. Which model of public relations emphasizes mutual understanding and
dialogue?
A. Press agentry
B. Public information
C. Two-way asymmetrical
D. Two-way symmetrical
Answer: D
Rationale: The two-way symmetrical model promotes balanced communication
and mutual understanding between organizations and publics.
, 3. Stakeholders are best defined as
A. Only employees and shareholders
B. Anyone affected by or affecting an organization
C. Only customers
D. Only government regulators
Answer: B
Rationale: Stakeholders include all groups that can influence or are influenced
by organizational actions.
4. The first step in the RACE planning process is
A. Action
B. Communication
C. Research
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Research is the foundation of effective PR planning, informing
objectives and strategies.
5. Formative research is conducted to
A. Measure final outcomes
B. Develop and shape a program
C. Audit financial performance
D. Evaluate employee productivity
Answer: B
Rationale: Formative research is used before and during planning to guide
strategy development.
, 6. Which objective is written correctly?
A. Increase awareness significantly
B. Improve reputation
C. Achieve a 20% increase in positive media coverage in six months
D. Gain goodwill
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART).
7. A key difference between advertising and public relations is that PR
A. Is always free
B. Uses only social media
C. Emphasizes credibility through earned media
D. Targets only internal audiences
Answer: C
Rationale: PR relies heavily on earned media, which often carries greater
credibility than paid advertising.
8. Media relations primarily involves
A. Buying advertising space
B. Influencing journalists through bribery
C. Building relationships with media professionals
D. Controlling news content
Answer: C
Rationale: Ethical media relations focus on professional relationships and
accurate information sharing.
9. The most credible spokesperson in a crisis is usually
A. A celebrity endorser
(APR) EXAMINATION QUESTION AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary purpose of public relations is to
A. Increase sales directly
B. Manage an organization’s reputation and relationships
C. Replace advertising
D. Control media outlets
Answer: B
Rationale: Public relations focuses on building and maintaining mutually
beneficial relationships and managing reputation, not direct sales or media
control.
2. Which model of public relations emphasizes mutual understanding and
dialogue?
A. Press agentry
B. Public information
C. Two-way asymmetrical
D. Two-way symmetrical
Answer: D
Rationale: The two-way symmetrical model promotes balanced communication
and mutual understanding between organizations and publics.
, 3. Stakeholders are best defined as
A. Only employees and shareholders
B. Anyone affected by or affecting an organization
C. Only customers
D. Only government regulators
Answer: B
Rationale: Stakeholders include all groups that can influence or are influenced
by organizational actions.
4. The first step in the RACE planning process is
A. Action
B. Communication
C. Research
D. Evaluation
Answer: C
Rationale: Research is the foundation of effective PR planning, informing
objectives and strategies.
5. Formative research is conducted to
A. Measure final outcomes
B. Develop and shape a program
C. Audit financial performance
D. Evaluate employee productivity
Answer: B
Rationale: Formative research is used before and during planning to guide
strategy development.
, 6. Which objective is written correctly?
A. Increase awareness significantly
B. Improve reputation
C. Achieve a 20% increase in positive media coverage in six months
D. Gain goodwill
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART).
7. A key difference between advertising and public relations is that PR
A. Is always free
B. Uses only social media
C. Emphasizes credibility through earned media
D. Targets only internal audiences
Answer: C
Rationale: PR relies heavily on earned media, which often carries greater
credibility than paid advertising.
8. Media relations primarily involves
A. Buying advertising space
B. Influencing journalists through bribery
C. Building relationships with media professionals
D. Controlling news content
Answer: C
Rationale: Ethical media relations focus on professional relationships and
accurate information sharing.
9. The most credible spokesperson in a crisis is usually
A. A celebrity endorser
