How Good are Your Presentation Skills?  Free Good Presentation Skills Test

Do you have good presentation skills? How do you know if your presentation skills are good or not? How can you test your presentation skills?

Meet the Author: Benjamin Ball

Ben is the founder of Benjamin Ball Associates and leads the presentation coaching and pitch deck creation teams. Formerly a corporate financier in the City of London, for 20+ years he’s helped businesses win with better pitches and presentations, particularly investor pitches. He is a regular speaker and a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School and UCL London.  Follow Ben on LinkedIn or visit the contact page. 

Giving a business presentation is a real skill.  And it’s a skill you can learn.  Over the last 15 years we’ve coached thousands of people to develop great presentation skills and become brilliant business presenters. 

This quiz has 10 questions to test your presentation skills (or to test other presenters).

Every time we train someone to improve business presentation skills, we always start with a presentation assessment. 

What did you score?  If you scored 8 or below on these presentation tests, you probably need some professional presentation coaching to improve your presentation skills. 

Good Presentation Skills? Test Your Presentation Skills Now

1. Did the start grab your attention?

Were you won over within the first few seconds? With a strong opening you set the tone and draw your audience in. Did you use a compelling statistic, a thought-provoking question, or a relatable anecdote?  The start is the most important part of your presentation, because your audience will be making judgements quickly. 

The good news is, if you start your presentation strongly, the rest will be much easier.  Here are some tips for stronger presentation starts.

2. Can you easily summarise the key message?

Could you capture the essence of your presentation in a single sentence? A clear, concise message shouldn’t get lost in a sea of information.  With good presentation skills your message should be clear, compelling and easy to remember. 

This is probably one of  the hardest aspects of presenting for business.  But if you prepare properly, it makes the whole process of writing and delivering a great business presentation so much easier.  You will learn about our 4-step Presentation Preparation Process on one of our presentation training courses.

3. Did your presentation feel relevant and sincere?

Did your presentation feel genuine and relevant to your listeners? Did you connect with their interests and concerns, or did it feel like a generic pitch? 

A great presentation should feel personalised for that specific audience.  And the dryer the subject, the more important this becomes. You can quickly learn how to relate to your audience.

4. Did you bring your presentation to life for your audience?

Did you breathe life into the content? Was it a monotone lecture or an engaging storytelling experience that used humour, visuals, or personal anecdotes to illustrate points?

The real art of great business presenting is to turn dull business subjects into relevant interesting ideas.  That’s what great presentation training will show you.

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Why Pick Benjamin Ball Associates for Your Coaching

At Benjamin Ball Associates, we’ve been coaching business people to improve their business communication skills for over 15 years.  Our coaching is fast and effective.  We work with individuals and with companies, one-to-one and in groups.  Call us today to learn more.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

Our most popular training courses include:

• Presentation Coaching
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Investor Pitch Support and Coaching

Trusted by some of the most successful companies globally

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

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5. Did it look like you really care?

Did you convey genuine enthusiasm and belief in what you were saying? Did it come from the heart?  Passion is contagious. If the speaker doesn’t care, why should the audience?

You can show passion in many ways.  Perhaps it’s the strength of the words you use; the emphasis in your voice or the energy you throw into your performance.  All of these can help you look and sound a more genuine and enthusiastic presenter. Good presentation skills will help you with this.

6. Was the audience engaged throughout?

Did your audience lose interest, or were you glued to the speaker’s every word?

Presenters with good presentation skills use techniques like varied pacing, vocal tone, and audience interaction to keep everyone engaged.  When you break your presentation up into specific chapters and make sure each chapter is interesting, then it’s easier to ensure audience attention throughout your talk.

7. Was the audience left with a clear call to action?

While the start of a presentation is the most important part, the end is the second most important.  Did you leave the presentation with a specific next step in mind?

A strong call to action, whether it’s making a decision, understanding action points, or simply remembering a key takeaway, is the essence of a successful presentation.

8. Did your slides make it easier for your audience?

Did your visuals enhance the message or distract from it? Clear, concise slides with clear visuals complement the spoken word, not replace it.

Too many presentation slides are terrible.  They are full of bullets that kill the power of great visuals.  An essential skill to learn is how to use visuals to enhance your presentation and help the audience, rather than send your audience to sleep.

9. Did you look (and feel) confident throughout?

Did you appear poised and in control, or were you showing nervous ticks and ums and errs? Confidence inspires trust and makes the message more credible.

And the good news is that confidence can be faked.  You can make small changes to your behaviour to look and sound confident in your presenting.  Find out how to look confident.

10. Would your audience like to hear another presentation from you?

Would they be eager to hear you present again? Compelling speakers leave you wanting more, eager to learn from their knowledge and insights.

It’s always the best test – do you want to hear more.  With the right skills, this can become natural and easy.

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A Reminder About Being a Good Presenter

Remember, no one was born a natural presenter.  It’s a set of skill that we have had to learn.  The luckiest people learn these skills from an expert, like someone at Benjamin Ball Associates. 

And improving your business presentation skills isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about refining your message, connecting with your audience, and ultimately, achieving your desired outcome.

Download your good presentation skills test now

So, next time you need to give a business presentation, test yourself using these 10 assessments and use the answers to craft presentations that truly resonate. Your audience (and your business) will thank you for it! Download our 10 point checklist to check your next presentation

How to improve your business presentation skills – forever

If you want business presentation skills that help you stand out and impress, get in touch with our client services director by clicking the link below.

We have been supporting business executives in the UK, Europe and the Middle East for 15+ years. Our presentation coaching is fast, intensive and highly effective. It’s career-enhancing.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation

Why Choose Us:
Transform your pitches and presentations with tailored coaching

We can help you present brilliantly. Thousands of people have benefitted from our tailored in-house coaching and advice – and we can help you too.

“I honestly thought it was the most valuable 3 hours I’ve spent with anyone in a long time.”

Mick May, CEO, Blue Sky

For 15+ years we’ve been the trusted choice for leading businesses and executives throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. We’ll help you improve corporate presentations through presentation coaching, public speaking training and expert advice on pitching to investors.

Some recent clients

Unlock your full potential and take your presentations to the next level.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email info@benjaminball.com to transform your speeches, pitches and presentations.

Speak to an expert. Get a free consultation