Identifying and onboarding the right talent is crucial to the success of public relations practices. PR firms, and educational institutes from where they recruit talent, use a variety of methods to assess the fit of candidates aspiring to be in PR. These methods and their levels of difficulty can vary and need to be constantly updated to ensure they reflect the industry’s criteria for the ideal entry level skillset. 

The National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT) provides a standard test of communications aptitude of talent in public relations and communications. NCAT scores will signify the fit and acumen of fresh graduates and working professionals for the profession. Being at the fulcrum of communications practices and academia, SCoRe is in a unique position to incorporate perspectives from both sides of the fence into the test. 

The need for a standard aptitude test for Top PR education

Applications of NCAT

The test will be useful for three applications:

• Recruitment: PR Firms that recruit graduates for internships and full time positions, can use NCAT as a screening tool. The firms may even use the NCAT scores to prioritise applications or understand the strengths and weaknesses of applicants. 

• Admissions: Educational institutions that provide public relations and corporate communications education can use NCAT as an entrance test or NCAT scores as admission criteria
• Scholarships: Industry bodies that award merit based scholarships to communications students can integrate NCAT scores into their screening criteria

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Development of NCAT

The test has been developed to assess candidates on parameters of successful PR talent of the near future. Insights from CEOs of PR firms, corporate communications leads and hiring managers across the communications practice serve as input for the development of the test. 

NCAT maps this across four parameters, which are assessed through an objective type multiple choice questionnaire. 

1. Language Ability: The assessment in this section ranges from the fundamentals of English language such as grammar, punctuation, to some advanced aspects focussing on reading comprehension and writing. 
2. General Awareness: This section assesses the candidates on their knowledge of current affairs, particularly around business and industry, with a focus on understanding of media and brands. 
3. Logical Reasoning: The section on Logical reasoning covers common sense and lateral thinking, and the ability to figure out solutions to complex problems
4. Data Interpretation: This section gauges the candidates’ ability to quickly understand, analyse and interpret data, and draw useful insights from it., 

NCAT also comprises a section on writing, with two short essays to be written. The essay topics range from general creative writing to technical writing around media, communications and brands. The candidates’ submissions are graded on the basis of the fluency of storytelling, depth and coherence of analysis presented and the fundamental hygiene of writing.

National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT) Schedule and Pattern 

• Last Date for Application: 9 AM, 9 Dec
• Test Date: 10 AM – 11.30 AM, Saturday, 10 Dec
• Results: 12 PM, 17 Dec

NCAT 2022 pattern will comprise of the following sections and weightages

1. Language Skills (25%)
2. General Awareness (15%)
3. Logical Reasoning (10%)
4. Data Interpretation (10%)
5. Writing (40%)

NCAT Report Card 

Each National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT) report will comprise a breakup of the candidates’ scores in each area and the national rank achieved by them.

For more information on NCAT, email us at talktous@scoreindia.org or WhatsApp us at 98115 72673