As aspiring Communication Professionals, here is the guide to NCAT Exam Syllabus. Additionally, for those of you considering postgraduate studies in communications, the National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT) stands as a crucial step in your journey towards higher education. Therefore, this is the key to your Corporate Communications Profession journey.

NCAT Exam Syllabus:

National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT) is a test designed to assess your fit for post-graduate public relations and communications programmes and entry-level positions in public relations. Moreover, it’s important to know more about NCAT. The test results serve three purposes:

• Self Assessment to candidates on their areas of strengths and weaknesses
• Admission to communications programmes such as SCoRe’s PG Diploma in PR
• Campus Placements in PR firms who recruit from communications programmes

NCAT Syllabus

• Writing (25%)
• Language Skills (15%)
• General Awareness (15%)
• Digital & Technology (15%)
• Public Relations (15%)
• Media Awareness (10%)
• Data Interpretation (5%)

Navigating the NCAT Exam Syllabus

Verbal Reasoning:

The Verbal Reasoning test evaluates your ability to interpret, evaluate, and draw logical conclusions from written information. We aim to assess students’ basic skills in handling various situations, such as introducing briefs and reacting to crises.

Written Communication:

How well you can communicate in writing is another challenge that the present generation faces. In Public Relations, professionals are required to work on a variety of tasks including articles, press releases, press notes, and social media copies, among others. Additionally, strong writing skills are crucial because effective content writing and creation play a significant role in this field. We focus on preparing students to develop their storytelling abilities, both in speech and writing.

Critical Thinking:

Another challenge we love to present to the candidates is how they take up critical thinking if they are put into a situation. It may sound very tough, but this boosts the thinking ability of the student, and puts them at a position they would never have been. Additionally, they are given a detailed situation of a real-life experience problem, so to test them how much can they do, as an aspiring Communication Professional. Moreover, this tests their ability to be a problem-solver as well. The students will have assignments after assignments, and it is their critical thinking, that will help them stand out amongst their peers.

(Read more: Four Soft Skills to Elevate your Comms Career in 2024)

Media Literacy:

In an era of digital marketing and online media, an aspiring Communication Professional should have a knowledge on the role of media in the society. Additionally, they should not miss reading the newspapers daily. The basic knowledge of media literacy and media guidelines can take the students to places. This we begin at SCoRe from Day 1. There will constant reading of newspapers, making podcast, videos and graphics. The key to success is to be keen to learn everything.

General Knowledge:

One thing that we always tell our students is to read and know about what is happening around you. Not only about the sector you have been told to study, or the community you reside; but about the world. Moreover, staying updated with current events and trends is beneficial in tackling this aspect of the examination. The curriculum of SCoRe is evolving with latest changes and developments. To have knowledge on what all is happening around us will help the candidates perform better in class and later on in life too.

(Read more: Why should one appear for the National Communications Aptitude Test (NCAT)?)

Entrance Test Interview:

SCoRe conducts Entrance Test Interviews after the NCAT. Additionally, the interview round also carries marks, so the candidates have to be in their best behaviour and confident.

The interview is a medium to get to know more about the applicant, their choice of subject, any past working experience or internship learnings. Additionally, this round provides the platform for the candidate to ask any questions or queries they have about the course or institute with the Board members.

As you embark on your journey towards postgraduate studies in communication, understanding the NCAT exam syllabus is the first step towards success if you want to make a career in Public Relations and Corporate Communications.