Use of shorthand among would-be seniors appears to have improved after examiners warned of declining standards following March’s sitting of the National Qualification in Journalism.

However, Steve Nelson, left, chief examiner for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, noted an “annoying habit” of merging different quotes and presenting them as verbatim among some candidates sitting the July 2016 examinations.

Following the March NQJs, Steve had issued a warning about weak shorthand posing problems with errors in transcription and candidates guessing at what they had taken down.

July’s sittings resulted in a record 76pc pass rate, with 58 journalists qualifying as seniors.

In his report on last month’s exams, Steve wrote: “Shorthand, on the whole, appeared to be better with good use of full quotes. Where shorthand was not up to scratch there was an annoying habit of merging bits of different quotes and presenting them as a verbatim quote.

“This would irritate a person being quoted and candidates must ensure their shorthand is up to the required speed to take down full quotes accurately.”

Candidates had to pass each of the four sections in the exam – media law and practice, news report, news interview and logbook.

Here is a summary of Steve’s report on how the candidates performed in each section.

MEDIA LAW AND PRACTICE

Candidates: 65
Passed: 58
Pass rate: 89pc

This was a gratifying set of results, with a high pass rate, which is what would be hoped for in an examination that tests what should be in the minds of all reporters every time they pursue and write a story.

The main thrust of the law side of the paper required candidates to show how qualified privilege and the Contempt of Court Act 1981 works, plus elements of court reporting.

Ethics were tested in both the law questions as well as the all-ethics question three. Most candidates were aware of the changes to the Editors’ Code of Practice, although candidates were not penalised for getting the wrong clause numbers. This leniency will not be available for the November exam as the amended code will have been in operation for almost a year.

The overall standard of these answers was disappointing, with the majority of candidates failing to reach the pass mark for this question. Whether this was due to a lack of knowledge or time is not possible to tell but there was evidence that some of the answers were rushed. This question needs time in order to be able to give a reasoned answer.

NEWS REPORT

Candidates: 71
Passed: 55
Pass rate: 77pc

Overall, the examiners noted a higher standard in papers submitted for the July exam. Candidates were quick to spot the key news angle and most of the associated points, including good quotes and relevant background information.

There was a tendency to make assumptions with this story and silly mistakes were noted in some papers including the day the sinkhole occurred, the spelling of the speaker’s name and careless typos which changed the meaning and sense of aspects of the story.

Shorthand, on the whole, appeared to be better with good use of full quotes. Where shorthand was not up to scratch there was an annoying habit of merging bits of different quotes and presenting them as a verbatim quote. This would irritate a person being quoted and candidates must ensure their shorthand is up to the required speed to take down full quotes accurately.

Three candidates forgot to do part B which cost them vital marks. Generally, part B was of a high standard. Candidates should remember that they are asked to put forward suggestions of what they would do in this section and should take ownership of their ideas.

NEWS INTERVIEW

Candidates: 71
Passed: 59
Pass rate: 83pc

Most candidates grasped the story about dog carcasses found in an old lock-up, killed by possibly a dog hater or poisoner or by someone carrying out grotesque experiments. Many captured the horror of the inside of the lock-up with the swarms of flies, the terrible smell, the piles of decomposing bodies and bloody knives.

It was a story crammed with great detail and equally good quotes. Yet some candidates decided to start their intro with “Police…”. A poor choice when there was so much drama.

Accuracy was also an issue for some candidates, from getting the van number plate wrong, to incorrect addresses. There were sloppy mistakes which cost candidates valuable marks and some strange wording such as “found a gruesome discovery” and
“dog carcasses, none were alive”.

Overall, it was pleasing to see candidates managed to piece together the story – police hunting someone who is dognapping pets and killing them, and the warning to owners to make sure their animals are safe.

E-LOGBOOK

Candidates: 61
Passed: 58
Pass rate: 95pc

Logbook submissions were of a good quality overall and some impressive examples show candidates continue to produce excellent work when under pressure.

One area in which the examiners underline our advice to those submitting a logbook is to make sure that all criteria have been fulfilled, that all documents have been uploaded successfully and that the correct documents have been added to both parts of the key task

Candidates are reminded that where they are asked to include additional documentation via PDF or other format, or where they are asked to upload either a cutting or original copy, then they must double-check to make sure the correct documents have been uploaded.

If any element of the logbook is unclear, the examiners advise all those undertaking the logbook to seek help from their editor or trainer in the first instance, or contact the NCTJ and we will be happy to give advice.