The National Council for the Training of Journalists has decided to stop publishing the names of newly qualified senior journalists after each round of examinations.

The NCTJ says that from now on a full list of those passing the National Qualification in Journalism, along with the pass rate and examiners’ report, will only be published annually.

Both the list and the pass rate had previously been published three times a year, following the sitting of the exams in March, July and November.

It comes after the new “level 6″ NQJ was sat for the first time by 34 regional press trainees last month, with exams now being held at in-office locations, as well as academic venues, via the Cirrus online exams portal.

The results are being issued to candidates by 5pm today, but will not be released publicly until the annual report is published, around December or January.

The NCTJ says the change is being made to bring the NQJ into line with other qualifications which it oversees.

A spokeswoman told HTFP: “We will be publishing the report, pass rates and list of candidates on an annual basis to bring the process in-line with other NCTJ qualifications, and to speed up the issuing of candidates’ NQJ results.

“This also allows time for any enquiries on results and appeals, and for the context of pass rates to be explained by examiners.”

The new NQJ was developed following an industry-wide review to reflect the “digital skills that are revolutionising journalism” and includes a mandatory media law, regulation and ethics exam as well as the e-logbook section.

The 34 regional press candidates further sat the big news story exam, while four trainees at The Guardian sat the production journalism exam.

Candidates must achieve a minimum 60pc mark for each assessment and an overall grade of pass, merit or distinction is awarded.

The NCTJ says it will continue to present awards for the best-performing students, but again, these will only be handed out annually as opposed to after each sitting of the exam as at present.

The chief examiner for the new NQJ will be Andy Martin, who stepped down as editor of the Bournemouth Echo in June.

Andy, pictured, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed chief examiner for the NQJ.

“The new qualification, taken for the first time on 5 July, completely mirrors the changing multimedia landscape and the reality of news gathering by journalists in newsrooms up and down the country.

“This is especially true of the big news story element of the NQJ, which really tests the critical skills essential for the new generation of reporters.”