So many people are expected to fail the Newspaper Practice section of the National Certificate Exam that a new re-sit date has been added.

More than 250 reporters are due to sit the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ professional qualification today, but have been told that if they do not pass the Newspaper Practice exam they will be able sit it again in July rather than waiting until the next NCE date in October.

More reporters fail the Newspaper Practice section than any other part of the NCE.

Joanne Aitchison, senior examinations controller of the NCTJ, said: “The last two feedback surveys have shown that many candidates would like exams to happen more often, so we have listened and will trial this with the Newspaper Practice exam.

“The impact of holding this exam for re-sit candidates will also reduce the number of applicants on full NCE dates, alleviating the problem of fitting candidates into centres with restricted capacities.”

The NCE usually takes place in April and October each year, but was bought forward this year because of the Easter holidays and to fit in the new re-sit date of July 3.

Today 131 people are due to sit the NCE for the first time and 123 will be re-sitting exams across 16 examination centres.

To pass the NCE and qualify as senior reporters, journalists have to be successful in four different sections: News Interview; News Report; Newspaper Practice; and Logbook. They must achieve an average of 60 per cent across all four sections to be successful.

To be eligible to sit the NCE, trainees must first pass preliminary certificate examinations in practical journalism, media law, public affairs and shorthand at 100wpm. They also have to complete a minimum of 18 months employment and training with a newspaper and compilation of their logbook.

Results will be announced in May.