Feedback and tips from APRs who have passed the APR Computer-Based Examination.

1. UABAccreditation in Public Relations Online Study Course Examination Tips and Study Strategies Slides from Monthly Webcast…

2. Welcome! APR Study Strategies Michael Henry APR Course Technical Facilitator Technical tips: - Reduce distractions (next 50 minutes) - If you lose audio – restart webcast - Take notes – Slides handout sent following webcast

3. Get Involved! Next ‘Cohort’ Group Starts Soon The web conferences are your chance to ask questions and meet other candidates. Volunteer to present at an upcoming web conference: Share your "Mock Examination Question" Present your notes from a module Share your Activity Presentation from MBA Class Guest Presentation Ethical Dilemma Business Literacy Presentation Case Problem Presentation Readiness Review

4. Online Course Success Meta analysis: Tracked participation (6-1-2008 through 6-1-2009) Only included individuals who participated in at least 75% of the Online Course Materials Participation defined as completing online activities, posting and uploading assignments. 100% of the Online Candidates, who participated in 75% or more of the online course materials, PASSED the APR Examination. 236 Online Candidates have passed the APR Examination since Jan. 2005.

5. Type of Questions on the Computer-Based Examination Not ‘Academic’ or ‘Didactic’ questions. Scenario-based questions

6. Types of questions Typical question is… “Name three ways to do X…” [Select 3] “Identify the best way to do X… [All might be correct, but one is best - Select 1]

7. Scenario “If XYZ happens… what would a professional do next?” Think about your professional experience Don’t memorize dates, names or places Know HOW to create a plan according to the 10-Step Components of a Public Relations Plan Get INVOLVED Create a CASE PROBLEM presentation Create a “Scenario-Based” Mock Problem.

9. Write the ‘Stem’ or Question

10. Don’t use negatives, trivia or trick questions

11. Think ‘scenario’ or process oriented questions

12. Avoid absolute modifiers such as always, never, only, all, none and best.

13. State the number of answers to be selected

14. Write the ‘Options’

15. Include the correct answer – always correct

16. Include ‘distracters’ that are plausible but not correct

17. Avoid humor or obvious clues from the stemFB

19. Study Materials

20. Practice thinking about and taking Exam

21. Learn by ‘doing’CAUTION – These are NOT questions from the APR Examination

22. Combination of reading on my own, participating in the online study course and taking my chapter’s APR study course Study buddy from the online course and we talked on the phone and went over cases studies and the APR study guide at least once a week. Learned as much as I could about the testing environment Jessica Padilla, APR

23. Eleven Lessons Learned – Amy Beisel, APR Believe in yourself – you can do it Do it for yourself – it’s not the Exam Do it for your colleagues – profession The bar is supposed to be high Summarize your experience Sell yourself to yourself [KSAs] Think like an APR Stick to a timeline Practice good study habits Don’t be afraid to learn something new

24. Thoughts – Jason Kirsch, APR Take study seriously (Nine Months) Cutlip, Center Broom Don’t memorize Pace your study Be confident that you have prepared Think like a practitioner – “What to do?” Questions may surprise you… be confident Questions require thought Mark questions for review, if necessary Plan to use all three hours

26. Join the Next Cohort Group

27. Participate in the Module DiscussionsEnroll Online: www.Online2Learn.net/APR