Public Relations Strategy Test
The Public Relations Strategy Test is for hiring teams assessing intermediate PR and communications candidates. In 10 minutes, it checks how well a candidate shapes stories, handles media requests and responds to fast-moving reputation issues.
Summary of the Public Relations Strategy Test
The Public Relations Strategy Test is for hiring teams assessing intermediate PR and communications candidates. In 10 minutes, it checks how well a candidate shapes stories, handles media requests and responds to fast-moving reputation issues.
3 dimensions, scored separately
Narrative & angles
This measures how well a candidate identifies what makes a story relevant, timely and worth covering. It matters because strong PR results depend on framing announcements in ways that fit audience interest and media priorities.
Media relations
This measures judgment in working with reporters, including response timing, comment handling and outreach choices. It matters because media relationships are shaped by credibility, speed and knowing when to engage directly.
Crisis response
This measures how a candidate prioritises actions when an issue develops quickly and information is incomplete. It matters because early PR decisions can contain reputational damage or make a situation worse.
Everything about the Public Relations Strategy Test
Pair this test with the rest of the first round: springhire's candidate screening software adds a one-way video interview and resume scoring to the same candidate link, ranked in one report.
01What is the Public Relations Strategy Test?
This test measures practical judgment in core public relations work. Candidates answer scenario-based questions on choosing strong story angles, deciding when and how to engage reporters, and responding to time-sensitive issues that can affect brand reputation. The questions reflect common PR situations, such as weak announcement traction, deadline-driven media requests and early-stage crisis decisions. Because the test focuses on applied choices rather than theory, it helps hiring teams see how candidates are likely to operate on the job. Springhire includes this test for teams hiring PR, communications and brand-facing marketing roles.
02How does the Public Relations Strategy Test work?
Candidates complete 20 multiple-choice questions in 10 minutes. Questions are drawn from a bank of 60, so each candidate receives a randomised set. The test is set at an intermediate level, is auto-scored, and is designed to compare candidates on practical PR decision-making under time pressure.
03Why is the Public Relations Strategy Test important to employers?
PR hires often need to make sound decisions quickly, with limited information and real external consequences. A weak hire may push low-value announcements, mishandle reporter requests or escalate a reputation issue through poor judgment. This test helps reduce that risk by showing who can think clearly about message value, media handling and response priorities.
How to interpret Public Relations Strategy Test results
Every candidate report scores each dimension separately. Here is what high and lower scores typically look like at work, and how to use them in your hiring decision.
Narrative & angles
High scorers: A high score means the candidate can spot stronger story hooks and choose angles more likely to earn attention.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may struggle to distinguish between internal updates and genuinely newsworthy narratives.
Media relations
High scorers: A high score means the candidate shows sound judgment in handling press requests, deadlines and outreach decisions.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may mishandle timing, overrespond, underrespond or miss the best path for reporter engagement.
Crisis response
High scorers: A high score means the candidate can prioritise sensible first steps and communicate carefully in high-pressure situations.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may react too slowly, choose the wrong first action or increase risk through poor response choices.
What job roles can you hire with the Public Relations Strategy Test?
- Public Relations Manager
- PR Specialist
- Communications Manager
- Corporate Communications Specialist
- Brand Communications Manager
Build a multi-measure assessment: tests to pair with the Public Relations Strategy Test
Marketing Analytics Test
The Marketing Analytics Test helps hiring teams assess whether candidates can choose the right metrics, interpret attribution and report results clearly. It is suited to intermediate marketing hires who need to turn campaign data into practical decisions.
View testConversion Rate Optimization Test
The Conversion Rate Optimization Test helps hiring teams assess candidates who run experiments and improve conversion funnels. It is suited to intermediate marketing and growth roles where people need to frame sound hypotheses, read test results carefully and spot where drop-off is happening.
View testBrand Management Test
The Brand Management Test helps hiring teams assess how well candidates think through positioning, brand architecture and consistency. It fits intermediate marketing hires who need to make clear brand decisions across products, channels and customer touchpoints.
View testBranding Strategy Test
The Branding Strategy Test helps hiring teams assess how candidates think through audience insight, market differentiation and go-to-market decisions. It fits intermediate marketing hires who need to connect research, positioning and launch planning to practical business choices.
View testProof before you interview
Ready to interview your shortlist?
Send one link. Candidates answer on their own time, AI scores every answer, and your shortlist arrives ranked.
How it worksSample reportTest libraryCompare tools
Frequently asked questions
It measures three core PR skills: narrative and angles, media relations and crisis response. The questions focus on practical decisions candidates make in real communications work, not academic PR theory.
This test fits intermediate candidates in PR, communications and brand-facing marketing roles. It is useful when the job includes media contact, message development or handling sensitive external issues.
Use the score as one input alongside interviews, work samples and role-specific experience. Strong results suggest good practical judgment, while weaker results can point to areas to probe further in interviews.
Yes. The test uses scenario-based questions built around common PR decisions, such as managing ignored announcements, responding to tight reporter deadlines and choosing the right first step in a potential issue.
It is best suited to intermediate candidates rather than senior executives. For leadership hires, it works well as a baseline screen, but you should also assess strategic planning, stakeholder management and team leadership separately.
Last updated Invalid Date