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'Failed' trainees get NCE as paper is re-marked

There were celebrations, relief and astonishment for a group of trainee reporters this week after they were told they had passed the NCE – two months after being told they had failed the journalism exam.

Fifteen regional press reporters have belatedly received their certificates following a review of the Newspaper Practice paper for the Autumn 2004 National Certificate Examination.

Concerns about the marking of an answer given to part of a question in the law section of the October paper were raised by editors at an NCTJ focus group, and after receiving advice from four legal experts the NCTJ found the dilemma posed in the question brought differing opinions.

As a result the training body decided to re-mark and moderate the papers of candidates who had originally failed a particular law question.

In December the NCTJ announced that the pass rate for October 2004 was 47 per cent, and this has now increased to 53 per cent.

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said: “It became obvious that it would be unfair to penalise candidates who had chosen to answer the question in a way different to that given in the marking guide, and the newspaper journalism board asked that all the affected candidates should have their exam paper reviewed and their mark adjusted accordingly.

“Our first priority is always to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly.”

One now-successful candidate, who declined to be named, said the news had brought an end to weeks of distress after thinking he had failed the exam, and to the worry at the threat of retakes in April.

He told HoldtheFrontPage: “”I was absolutely astounded when I read the letter telling me I had passed and had to read it six or seven times to make sure it wasn’t a cruel joke from a colleague.

“But I was extremely pleased to discover it wasn’t after spending months worrying about taking the resits.

“Newspaper companies pay a great deal to the NCTJ for their trainees to sit the exams and I would expect a large portion of the cash goes towards paying examiners for their expertise.

“They put such an emphasis on accuracy and legal knowledge, so you would think they would at least be able to get the marking right first time.

“I am just incredibly relieved some eagle-eyed lawyers and journalists managed to spot the problem.”

For a list of additional candidates who have now passed the NCE, click here.

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