IPEd Accreditation Exam 2018: Additional Notes for Candidates
Contents
Exam structure and weighting 2
Part 1 2
Part 2 2
Part 3 3
Mark-up symbols 3
Exam procedures 4
Arriving at the venue 4
During the exam 5
At the end of the exam 7
Technical questions 7
Equipment 7
Onscreen format 8
Word skills 9
References and notes 10
Results 12
Tips from AEs who have passed the exam 12
Exam structure and weighting
Part 1
Part 1 is worth 20%. You must answer 20 of 24 questions, but you may choose to answer up to 24 questions to give yourself a safety margin if you wish. However, even if you answer all 24 questions, you can only score a maximum of 20/20.
20% of the total exam equates to a writing time of approximately 30 minutes for this section, including time to review answers, but you should decide for yourself how to allocate your time in the exam.
Part 2
Part 2 is worth 40%. You must edit the extract in accordance with the brief provided, and prepare a style sheet and queries for the author.
40% equates to a writing time of approximately 1 hour, + 15 minutes to review, but you should decide for yourself how to allocate your time in the exam.
Part 2 provides a maximum of 200 raw marks, allocated as follows:
● 160 marks for copyediting the extract;
● 20 marks for writing 10 author queries;
● 20 marks for creating the style sheet.
Note that in the Part 2 extract there are more than 160 marks to attain, so you will not need to pick up every single possible edit.
Your total out of 200 is divided by 5 to produce a mark out of 40. You need to achieve sufficient marks to attain the required minimum of 65 marks for the section, but of course you should aim to achieve as many marks as possible within the time. Some things will just need correcting (e.g. typos) but other edits will be issues of style. When you make a style decision, include it clearly on your style sheet.
If you’re running over time on Part 2, and still have other sections to complete, it is suggested that you move on to the other sections and go back to Part 2 if you have time left after the other sections are completed.
Do I lose marks if I add in an error?
If you make additions or amendments that create errors, you will lose marks, but bear in mind that the markers are editors; where a change can be considered both right and wrong (for example, with some commas), you won't be needlessly and aggressively marked down.
Do I need to raise only 10 author queries in Part 2? What if I find a lot more things to query? Can I query more?
Ten is sufficient. Candidates won’t be penalised for doing a few more than ten, but only ten will be awarded marks, and you’re not meant to go overboard and query everything. The danger with raising too many queries is that they take up valuable time and, more importantly, introduce the risk of not making enough editing decisions. The advice from markers is that, in previous years, people have done less well in Part 2 than they should have because they didn’t take responsibility for correcting things they should have corrected, and listed queries that they ought to have been able to resolve by using their judgment and listing on their style sheet.
Fill out the two parts of the style sheet. The first part is where you record the general style decisions that apply to your edit; the second part is an alphabetical list of individual words and phrases showing your decisions relating to spelling, capitalisation, etc. Be sure to conform to your own style sheet as you do the edit.
Part 3
Part 3 is worth 40%. There are 10 questions; you must complete four of these. The emphasis in Part 3 is on an understanding of the principles, practices and conventions of the editing profession, as much as on the application of particular editing skills.
40% in this section equates to writing time of 15 minutes for each of the four questions you choose + 15 minutes to review. Total 1 hour and 15 minutes for the section, but you should decide for yourself how to allocate your time in the exam.
Use your time in this section wisely. You have to do four questions, so allow enough time to do four questions. Don’t spend more time than is allotted doing a question and leave too little time to finish the others. Remember, you need to achieve a minimum of 65% in each section, so if you don’t do well on one of the four questions in this section, there is room to make up marks on the other three questions.
Is there a limit to how much I can type in the boxes for Part 3?
There isn’t. Make sure you attempt the sample onscreen exam and watch the demonstration video to become familiar with how to work in the onscreen exam. This will show you what to expect for every section.
Mark-up symbols
Do I need to revise mark-up symbols?
They are covered by A6.6 in the Australian Standards for Editing Practice, and the exam is meant to test against the Standards, so it’s possible for a question about them to be included. So we’d recommend a basic familiarity with them – at least to be able to recognise what the main symbols mean, and to know how to quickly look them up in your favourite hard-copy resource if necessary. (Obviously you won’t be doing any mark-up on actual paper; the exam is all in Word and onscreen.)
Exam procedures
Arriving at the venue
What do I need to bring?
Bring:
• your hard-copy resources and references (bound notes and books)
• photo ID
• your candidate number
• your receipt for payment
• username and password for Macquarie Dictionary Online (if you have your own subscription)
• writing materials
• a stand-alone calculator.
Entry into the examination room will not be guaranteed if you do not have your candidate number and ID and receipt. (You could consider printing and binding your receipt and your candidate number confirmation email into your bound notes to make sure you don’t forget them.)
How does the timing work?
On the day, the timing will run as follows.
● 12.30–12.50pm: Candidates will be processed by invigilation team (notes and reference books checked, candidate numbers and receipts etc. cross-checked). Once you’ve registered you’ll be able to enter the exam room to find a spot and check the equipment (but you won’t be allowed to open up any of the exam documents).
● 12.50pm: The invigilators will usher everyone into the exam room.
● 12.55–1.00pm: The invigilators will brief candidates on how the exam will be run and will explain what to do if you need to go to the toilet or if there is an emergency.
● 1.00–1.10pm: Candidates will read the printed exam instructions.
● 1.10–1.30pm: Candidates will open and save each of their exam documents and type their candidate numbers in. (This will be facilitated by the lead invigilator.) Candidates will also log into the Macquarie Dictionary Online if they have a subscription.
● 1.30–2.00pm: Reading time (exam papers).
● 2.00–5.00pm: Working time.
What time should I arrive at the exam centre?
Candidates should plan to arrive with enough time to ensure invigilators can check their resources, ID, candidate numbers and receipts.
● In Melbourne there are usually 30+ candidates, so we suggest you aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam room opens (i.e. around 12.15).
● In Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane there are usually 14–20 candidates per centre, so plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before the exam room opens (i.e. no later than 12.30, but preferably a bit earlier).
● In Adelaide, Hobart and Perth there are usually fewer than 10 candidates, so we suggest you plan to arrive about 20 minutes before the exam room opens (i.e. no later than 12.30).
It is better to be early than be in a rush. Tea and coffee will be available so if you’re early or have spare time you’ll be able to partake of refreshments.
How late is too late to arrive?
Anyone who arrives after the 30-minute reading period has ended will not be admitted to the exam.
During the exam
What can the invigilators help me with?
There will be at least two invigilators at each exam venue. During the exam, they will be able to answer general questions about the exam format and procedure, but not about the content. They will also be able to obtain help from Cliftons’ support staff if any problems with the technology arise – for example, if the screen suddenly freezes or a mouse stops working. Please note that there will be no technology assistance for the Macs, as mentioned on the registration form.
Can I consult my reference books in reading time?
Yes, you can look things up in reading time, excluding the Macquarie Dictionary Online.
Can I bring in my phone and use it as a clock?
No. All phones must be turned off (not just on silent) for the duration of the exam and placed under your desk. Remember that your computer does display the time, and the time will also be projected onto the wall at the front of the room. If you wish to bring in a small travel style clock to keep time, please ensure that it is silent (i.e. digital, not an analogue clock that audibly ticks).
Can I bring in a calculator?
Yes, in fact it might be handy for some questions, but it must be a simple calculator with mathematical functions only (i.e. not a programmable one that can store notes or text).
Can I bring in earplugs/earphones to mask the noise of other people's typing?
Earplugs would be fine to dull noise, but you should still be able to hear invigilator instructions. Earphones or earbuds (for use with music players) are not permitted, nor is listening to music to mask the noise of typing.
Can I bring my own keyboard or mouse?
Only if you have some documentation such as a medical certificate saying that you need to use specific equipment. You must raise this with your AB delegate well before the exam date.
Can I bring in food and drinks?
Water will be provided in the exam room. Food and hot beverages are not generally allowed in computer facilities or exams. However, you can bring in a few lollies for sustenance (or dried fruit or similar) but these must be silent to eat and unwrapped to avoid disrupting other candidates. If you have a certified medical condition that will require you to eat during the exam, please raise this with your IPEd Accreditation Board representative immediately.
What if I need to go to the toilet during the exam?
If you need to go to the toilet during the exam, save your work and minimise your window, then raise your hand to alert an invigilator. The invigilator will note the time you left the room and the time you returned, and will escort you to the toilet.
You may also speak with an invigilator if you need to leave the room for any other reason. That invigilator will follow a similar procedure. Please note, however, if you leave the room because of an illness that results in your being unable to complete the exam, you will not be readmitted.
What if something goes wrong during the exam?
If anything happens during the exam – you feel ill, your chair is wobbly or your computer stops working – notify an invigilator immediately. You are encouraged to save your work frequently to avoid the possibility of losing work due to technical problems or power failure.
If you want to make a request for special consideration as a result of something happening on the day of the exam, you must supply a written statement of the reasons to the exam secretary within seven days of the date of the exam. The exam secretary will refer the matter to the Accreditation Board, whose decision on whether you qualify for special consideration will be final. Please note, if you haven’t notified an invigilator of any difficulties during the exam, it may affect the board’s decision, as the relevant invigilator won’t be able to confirm the extent of your difficulties.
What if I get sick during the exam?
Attract the attention of an invigilator who will escort you from the room. Once outside, the two of you can discuss the situation and decide whether a brief break (in the invigilator’s presence) will suffice or if it is necessary for you to leave the exam and seek medical attention. In the latter situation the invigilator will ask if you have someone who can pick you up and help you contact them, or if necessary organise emergency transport. The invigilator will retrieve your personal belongings from the exam room.
At the end of the exam
What can I take with me after the exam?
You may not remove any part of the instruction booklet, scribble paper or any notes about the exam content from the room. Once you have finished the exam, you will be asked to check you have inserted your candidate number and to save and close all files, give the instruction booklet and scribble paper to the invigilator and leave the room; you may not return until all papers have been collected by the invigilators.
What if I finish early?
If you complete the exam in less than the allocated time and you wish to leave, check that your candidate number is on all documents, save and close all files and place all scribble paper in your instruction booklet. Raise your hand to indicate to an invigilator that you wish to leave. The invigilator will escort you from the room. You will not be permitted to re-enter.