PRSA APR EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS – COMPLETE SOLUTION
100 QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS(2025)
Question 1
In survey research, what term is used to describe the total pool of possible individuals available
to draw a sample from, whose opinions are sought in a study?
A) Sample Group
B) Census
C) Control Group
D) Universe
E) Sample Frame
Correct Answer: D) Universe
Rationale: The "Universe," often used interchangeably with "Population," represents the
total set of individuals, organizations, or entities that possess the characteristics relevant to
the research question. It defines the entire group from which a subset (sample) is drawn for
the study.
Question 2
What is the standard number of respondents generally needed to achieve a
statistically representative sample for any universe (population) that is 100,000 or more,
assuming standard confidence parameters?
A) 150
B) 250
C) 384
D) 500
E) 1,000
Correct Answer: C) 384
Rationale: For any population (universe) size of 100,000 or greater, the required number of
respondents to ensure a statistically representative sample—with a typical 95% confidence
level and
±5%
margin of error—is 384. This number is a standard benchmark in quantitative public
relations research.
Question 3
Which term refers to the range, expressed as plus or minus (e.g.,
±3%
), within which survey results can vary and still be considered accurate?
A) Confidence Level
,[Type here]
B) Confidence Interval
C) Median Range
D) Margin of error
E) Statistical Significance
Correct Answer: D) Margin of error
Rationale: The Margin of Error (or confidence interval) is a measure of the survey's
precision. It indicates how much the sample results are likely to differ from the true
population value. A larger sample size, such as the standard 384, is used to achieve a lower
(narrower) and more desirable margin of error.
Question 4
When a survey states a 95% Confidence Level, what does this mean regarding the reliability of
the research results?
A) The results are guaranteed to be exactly correct 95% of the time.
B) The study's conclusions are accepted by 95% of the target audience.
C) If the same survey were given repeatedly, 95% of the time the results would fall within the
same specified margin of error.
D) The margin of error is 5%.
E) 95% of the population was sampled.
Correct Answer: C) If the same survey were given repeatedly, 95% of the time the results
would fall within the same specified margin of error
Rationale: The 95% confidence level is the standard for statistical significance in social
research. It means that if the same research were conducted 100 times using different
random samples, 95 of those samples would produce results that fall within the stated
range defined by the margin of error.
Question 5
Which formal document must all publicly traded companies file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) within 60 days after the close of the company's fiscal year,
containing comprehensive, audited financial data?
A) 10-Q
B) 8-K
C) Proxy Statement (Def 14A)
D) 10-K
E) S-1 Registration Statement
Correct Answer: D) 10-K
Rationale: The 10-K is the comprehensive annual report that provides a detailed overview
of the company's business, audited financial statements, and management discussion of
financial condition. It is a mandatory, material disclosure that must be filed annually with
the SEC.
,[Type here]
Question 6
Which SEC filing is a quarterly financial report containing unaudited financial data and must be
filed 35 days after the close of the first three fiscal quarters?
A) S-1
B) 10-Q
C) 8-K
D) 10-K
E) Form 3
Correct Answer: B) 10-Q
Rationale: The 10-Q is the required quarterly report. Unlike the 10-K, it is unaudited, but it
still provides essential financial information on the company's performance for the past
quarter. PR professionals must track both the 10-K and 10-Q for timely, accurate external
communications.
Question 7
What is the "current report" that publicly traded organizations must file with the SEC, often
triggered by a major, unexpected material event, such as a CEO resignation, a merger
announcement, or even certain reporter questions?
A) 10-K
B) 8-K
C) 10-Q
D) Proxy Statement
E) S-8
Correct Answer: B) 8-K
Rationale: The 8-K is used to notify the public of material information (information that
would influence a reasonable investor's decision) that has not been publicly issued. Because
this information must be public, a news release can be used to qualify the information for
the 8-K filing, making it vital for PR to coordinate with legal and finance.
Question 8
Which SEC-required document serves as the invitation and agenda for shareholders, covering
proposals for new board members, executives' salaries, and other management declarations
ahead of the annual meeting?
A) 8-K
B) 10-Q
C) Insider Trading Report
D) Proxy Statement (Form Def 14A)
E) 10-K
Correct Answer: D) Proxy Statement (Form Def 14A)
Rationale: The Proxy Statement is the invitation to the annual meeting that solicits
, [Type here]
shareholder votes (proxies) on key issues, including the election of directors and executive
compensation. It is a material disclosure because it contains information about company
governance.
Question 9
What specific research tool involves taking a survey of a large, defined target audience prior to
the launch of a full public relations campaign, to establish baseline awareness and attitude data?
A) Pre-test Survey
B) Intercept Interview
C) Content Analysis
D) Benchmark Survey
E) Focus Group
Correct Answer: D) Benchmark Survey
Rationale: A Benchmark Survey establishes the starting point (the baseline). Research
conducted after the campaign (the measurement/evaluation phase) is measured directly
against this baseline data to determine the specific change (or outcome objectives) achieved
by the public relations activities.
Question 10
In research sampling, what is the term for a subset of the population whose members are selected
because they share a specific common characteristic, making them an existing "group" of
interest?
A) Random Sample
B) Census
C) Stratified Sample
D) Cluster Sample
E) Systematic Sample
Correct Answer: D) Cluster Sample
Rationale: A Cluster Sample involves grouping the population based on something they
have in common (e.g., geographic area, specific organization, or membership in a certain
club). Instead of sampling individuals, the entire cluster is often selected for study,
simplifying the sampling process.
Question 11
What research method involves the systematic study of publications, print, and electronic media
reports to objectively code and describe the content of communication, allowing for the
measurement of news coverage?
A) Focus Group
B) Intercept Interview
C) Media Audit
100 QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS(2025)
Question 1
In survey research, what term is used to describe the total pool of possible individuals available
to draw a sample from, whose opinions are sought in a study?
A) Sample Group
B) Census
C) Control Group
D) Universe
E) Sample Frame
Correct Answer: D) Universe
Rationale: The "Universe," often used interchangeably with "Population," represents the
total set of individuals, organizations, or entities that possess the characteristics relevant to
the research question. It defines the entire group from which a subset (sample) is drawn for
the study.
Question 2
What is the standard number of respondents generally needed to achieve a
statistically representative sample for any universe (population) that is 100,000 or more,
assuming standard confidence parameters?
A) 150
B) 250
C) 384
D) 500
E) 1,000
Correct Answer: C) 384
Rationale: For any population (universe) size of 100,000 or greater, the required number of
respondents to ensure a statistically representative sample—with a typical 95% confidence
level and
±5%
margin of error—is 384. This number is a standard benchmark in quantitative public
relations research.
Question 3
Which term refers to the range, expressed as plus or minus (e.g.,
±3%
), within which survey results can vary and still be considered accurate?
A) Confidence Level
,[Type here]
B) Confidence Interval
C) Median Range
D) Margin of error
E) Statistical Significance
Correct Answer: D) Margin of error
Rationale: The Margin of Error (or confidence interval) is a measure of the survey's
precision. It indicates how much the sample results are likely to differ from the true
population value. A larger sample size, such as the standard 384, is used to achieve a lower
(narrower) and more desirable margin of error.
Question 4
When a survey states a 95% Confidence Level, what does this mean regarding the reliability of
the research results?
A) The results are guaranteed to be exactly correct 95% of the time.
B) The study's conclusions are accepted by 95% of the target audience.
C) If the same survey were given repeatedly, 95% of the time the results would fall within the
same specified margin of error.
D) The margin of error is 5%.
E) 95% of the population was sampled.
Correct Answer: C) If the same survey were given repeatedly, 95% of the time the results
would fall within the same specified margin of error
Rationale: The 95% confidence level is the standard for statistical significance in social
research. It means that if the same research were conducted 100 times using different
random samples, 95 of those samples would produce results that fall within the stated
range defined by the margin of error.
Question 5
Which formal document must all publicly traded companies file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) within 60 days after the close of the company's fiscal year,
containing comprehensive, audited financial data?
A) 10-Q
B) 8-K
C) Proxy Statement (Def 14A)
D) 10-K
E) S-1 Registration Statement
Correct Answer: D) 10-K
Rationale: The 10-K is the comprehensive annual report that provides a detailed overview
of the company's business, audited financial statements, and management discussion of
financial condition. It is a mandatory, material disclosure that must be filed annually with
the SEC.
,[Type here]
Question 6
Which SEC filing is a quarterly financial report containing unaudited financial data and must be
filed 35 days after the close of the first three fiscal quarters?
A) S-1
B) 10-Q
C) 8-K
D) 10-K
E) Form 3
Correct Answer: B) 10-Q
Rationale: The 10-Q is the required quarterly report. Unlike the 10-K, it is unaudited, but it
still provides essential financial information on the company's performance for the past
quarter. PR professionals must track both the 10-K and 10-Q for timely, accurate external
communications.
Question 7
What is the "current report" that publicly traded organizations must file with the SEC, often
triggered by a major, unexpected material event, such as a CEO resignation, a merger
announcement, or even certain reporter questions?
A) 10-K
B) 8-K
C) 10-Q
D) Proxy Statement
E) S-8
Correct Answer: B) 8-K
Rationale: The 8-K is used to notify the public of material information (information that
would influence a reasonable investor's decision) that has not been publicly issued. Because
this information must be public, a news release can be used to qualify the information for
the 8-K filing, making it vital for PR to coordinate with legal and finance.
Question 8
Which SEC-required document serves as the invitation and agenda for shareholders, covering
proposals for new board members, executives' salaries, and other management declarations
ahead of the annual meeting?
A) 8-K
B) 10-Q
C) Insider Trading Report
D) Proxy Statement (Form Def 14A)
E) 10-K
Correct Answer: D) Proxy Statement (Form Def 14A)
Rationale: The Proxy Statement is the invitation to the annual meeting that solicits
, [Type here]
shareholder votes (proxies) on key issues, including the election of directors and executive
compensation. It is a material disclosure because it contains information about company
governance.
Question 9
What specific research tool involves taking a survey of a large, defined target audience prior to
the launch of a full public relations campaign, to establish baseline awareness and attitude data?
A) Pre-test Survey
B) Intercept Interview
C) Content Analysis
D) Benchmark Survey
E) Focus Group
Correct Answer: D) Benchmark Survey
Rationale: A Benchmark Survey establishes the starting point (the baseline). Research
conducted after the campaign (the measurement/evaluation phase) is measured directly
against this baseline data to determine the specific change (or outcome objectives) achieved
by the public relations activities.
Question 10
In research sampling, what is the term for a subset of the population whose members are selected
because they share a specific common characteristic, making them an existing "group" of
interest?
A) Random Sample
B) Census
C) Stratified Sample
D) Cluster Sample
E) Systematic Sample
Correct Answer: D) Cluster Sample
Rationale: A Cluster Sample involves grouping the population based on something they
have in common (e.g., geographic area, specific organization, or membership in a certain
club). Instead of sampling individuals, the entire cluster is often selected for study,
simplifying the sampling process.
Question 11
What research method involves the systematic study of publications, print, and electronic media
reports to objectively code and describe the content of communication, allowing for the
measurement of news coverage?
A) Focus Group
B) Intercept Interview
C) Media Audit
