Report on 2011 exam
Julie-Anne Justus, Chair, IPEd Accreditation Board
On behalf of the Accreditation Board of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd), I am delighted to announce that 85 per cent of exam candidates have passed the exam and earned the rank of Accredited Editor, or AE.
Congratulations to all new AEs on this distinguished achievement. By passing, they have shown that they not only understand but can successfully apply the principles of editing set out in Australian Standards for Editing Practice.
This is a heartening result, given the lower pass rate of previous years, and may be attributed to several facts:
- With two sample exams available to trial online, candidates were more aware of the standard expected, and better able to assess their readiness.
- Workshop training across societies was more focused and consistent.
- Candidates were better trained, with a number setting up study groups.
The exam went well on the day at every venue. The board would like to thank the society invigilators and other behind-the-scenes committee members who ensured the exam was conducted in a calm and reassuring manner, and whose thoughtfulness and attentiveness helped candidates to settle and focus in a stressful situation.
In previous years, assessors gathered for a marking weekend. This year, assessors were briefed by the Lead Assessor, Renée Otmar, and the Lead Writer, Heather Jamieson, via teleconference and Skype. Specific questions during the marking process were handled by email.
All papers with scores lower than the required 80 per cent were reviewed by a second marker and the Lead Assessor. This process addressed any inconsistency in marking and facilitated the best possible outcome for candidates. Addition of marks was checked by the Exam Coordinator, Michael Vnuk.
Papers were identified only by the candidate reference number throughout the marking process. Only when all results were final did the Exam Coordinator provide me with names for matching to numbers. At all times, candidates’ confidentiality was protected.
In accordance with board policy, papers will not be returned and individual marks will not be provided.
The next exam is planned for October 2012.
Right now, however, it is time to celebrate the achievements of so many successful editors. To all those who have earned the new postnominal, AE, we say CONGRATULATIONS!