foundations of communication

Foundations of Communication challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of basic business communication principles through an objective test. This event covers topics such as written and verbal communication, professional etiquette, and the use of technology to effectively exchange information in a business setting.

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Computer, Photo identification, Attire that meets the FBLA Dress Code

This event is intended for students who are early in their collegiate academic journey and just beginning their study of communications. Only members who have completed no more than six credit hours on a semester schedule (or the equivalent number of quarter hours) of college-level communications coursework by May 1, 2027, are eligible to compete.

 Competencies

·         Verbal Communication
·         Professional Etiquette
·         Information Literacy
·         Workplace Communication
·         Positive Working Relationships
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.
State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. This is totally up to the proctor.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event on the state level is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC. Advisers will be sent information regarding testing requirements.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless a pre-approved accommodation is in place, all cell phones, smart watches, and headphones must be turned off and put away before competition begins. Any visibility of these devices will be considered a violation of the Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/ 

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. 

Written Communication (20 test items)  

  1. Explain the nature of effective written communications (CO:016) (CS)  

  2. Write professional emails (CO:090) (CS)  

  3. Write business letters (CO:133) (CS)  

  4. Write informational messages (CO:039) (CS)  

  5. Write inquiries (CO:040) (CS)  

  6. Write persuasive messages (CO:031) (SP)  

  7. Write executive summaries (CO:091) (SP)  

  8. Prepare simple written reports (CO:094) (SP)  

  9. Adapt written correspondence to targeted audiences (CO:203) (SP)  

  

Verbal Communication (15 test items)  

  1. Employ communication styles appropriate to target audience (CO:084) (CS)  

  2. Handle phone calls in a businesslike manner (CO:114) (CS)  

  3. Participate in group discussions (CO:053) (CS)  

  4. Facilitate (lead) group discussions (CO:201) (SP)  

  5. Make oral presentations (CO:025, LAP-CO-025) (SP)  

  

Professional Etiquette (10 test items)  

  1. Adhere to company protocols and policies (PD:250, LAP-PD-250) (CS)  

  2. Follow rules of conduct (PD:251, LAP-PD-251) (CS)  

  3. Follow chain of command (PD:252, LAP-PD-252) (CS)  

 Information Literacy (15 test items)  

  1. Distinguish between using social media for business and personal purposes (CO:206) (CS)  

  2. Explain how digital communications (e.g., email, text messages, chats) exposes business to risk (CO:202) (SP)  

  3. Use social media to solicit new ideas and solutions (EI:107) (SP)  

  4. Organize information (CO:086) (CS)  

  5. Select and use appropriate graphic aids (CO:087) (CS)  

  6. Use data visualization techniques (e.g., infographics, heat-maps, dynamic model outputs) (CO:204) (SP)  

  

Workplace Communication (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the nature of staff communication (CO:014) (CS)  

  2. Choose and use appropriate channel for workplace communication (CO:092) (CS)  

  3. Participate in a staff meeting (CO:063) (CS)  

  4. Participate in problem-solving groups (CO:067) (CS)  

  5. Provide directions for completing job tasks (CO:139) (SU)  

   

Positive Working Relationships (25 test items)  

  1. Exhibit cultural sensitivity (EI:033, LAP-EI-033) (CS)  

  2. Leverage personality types in business situations (EI:104) (SP)  

  3. Explain ethical considerations in providing information (EI:038, LAP-EI-038) (SP)  

  4. Foster open, honest communication (EI:129, LAP-EI-129) (SP)  

  5. Solicit feedback (EI:106) (SP)  

  6. “Sell” ideas to others (EI:108, LAP-EI-108) (SP)  

  7. Demonstrate negotiation skills (EI:062, LAP-EI-062) (SP)  

  8. Use conflict-resolution skills (EI:015, LAP-EI-915) (CS)  

  9. Build trust in relationships (EI:128, LAP-EI-128) (CS)  

  10. Participate as a team member (EI:045, LAP-EI-045) (CS)  

  11. Use consensus-building skills (EI:011, LAP-EI-911) (SP)  

  12. Motivate team members (EI:059, LAP-EI-059) (SP)  

  13. Foster positive working relationships (EI:037, LAP-EI-037) (CS)  

  14. Consider conflicting viewpoints (EI:136, LAP-EI-136) (CS)