More than three quarters of trainees pass November NQJ exams
Seventy-six per cent of trainees who sat the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) exams in November achieved the qualification, bringing the results back in line with the November 2017 exams.
Seventy-six per cent of trainees who sat the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) exams in November achieved the qualification, bringing the results back in line with the November 2017 exams.
Out of the 33 candidates who sat the exams on Friday, 2 November across four centres, a total of 25 were successful in all four parts – media law and practice, news report, news interview and e-logbook – achieving ‘senior journalist’ status.
The November NQJ saw a 100 per cent pass rate for e-logbook, the fifth in succession since July 2017. The moderator said: “There were some strong marks awarded all-round as candidates provided a depth of quality work.”
There was a pass rate of 81 per cent in the media law and practice exam, up from 77 per cent in the previous sittings in July. The exams tested defamation, confidentiality, qualified privilege, reporting restrictions, privacy and children.
The moderator commented: “A pleasing set of papers, with few failing and an excellent top result.”
The news interview paper featured a story about a man with learning difficulties being attacked and seriously hurt by a gorilla at a city zoo. The exam had a pass rate of 71 per cent, with 20 successful candidates from the 28 who sat the exam.
While the moderator noted that some avoidable mistakes were made by candidates, they said it was pleasing to see evidence of some capable writing and a high number of candidates passing the exam.
The news report exam saw a pass rate of 78 per cent, up from 47 per cent in the previous sitting, and asked candidates to provide a local angle on a national story about flooding problems in the north east.
The moderator said: “The higher pass rate for the November exam shows that candidates are having a greater national/global awareness for news stories.
“In part B it was pleasing to see that trainees were able to gauge a story’s follow-up appeal and produce strong suggestions for this part of the exam.”
You can now read about the award winners and see the full examiners’ report.
The next National Qualification in Journalism exam will take place on Friday, 8 March 2019 and the closing date for enrolment is Friday, 25 January 2019.
The exams in March will be the final opportunity to sit the current NQJ qualification, before it is replaced with the level 6 NQJ, which has been developed following an industry wide review. Click here for full details and transition arrangements.
