Journalism students are to begin sitting exams remotely in the coming days, organisers have confirmed.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has announced it will be piloting remote exam sittings during May and June.

HTFP reported last month how the NCTJ was conducting a two-week feasibility test with a view to beginning the pilot this month.

The first exam to be held under such conditions will be a sitting of ‘journalism for a digital audience’ this coming Wednesday.

It will make use of what the NCTJ is calling “cutting-edge secure proctoring technology” – a piece of software which monitors candidates sitting exams remotely to ensure they don’t cheat.

The NCTJ will communicate directly with centres, national candidates and other affected stakeholders in the coming days regarding its plans and procedures for the pilot phase.

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher, pictured, said: “We are determined to protect the reliability and validity of our qualifications. I’m delighted the success of the initial testing period means that for the next two months we can offer many students, trainees and apprentices the opportunity to sit their NCTJ exams at home.

“If this pilot is successful, the option will be extended until the current crisis is over. It may even become a long-term benefit for our national exam candidates and centres in the UK and internationally.

“We appreciate the technology requirements and particular needs and concerns of some candidates mean that this option isn’t suitable for everyone. They will be given priority to sit exams as soon as our centres can accommodate them safely and we have added extra exam dates to our schedule to minimise the delay as much as we can.

“I’d like to thank the project team and our senior examiners for their ongoing commitment and expertise. Although we have the big advantage that most of our exams are already delivered online, it is one of the most demanding, time-sensitive and complex initiatives the NCTJ has undertaken.”

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