The pass rate was 57 per cent, which meant 105 of the 184 candidates were successful.

This is slightly lower than the previous NCE's 65 per cent, but seen in context over the past four years, there has been a steady increase, with September 2007 a peak.

There was a reduction in the number of candidates sitting the spring exam from the National Council for the Training of Journalists due to fewer resits, with the number of first-time candidates in line with previous exams.

Click through for the full list of successful trainee journalists.

The news report section proved most difficult for candidates, with only 60 per cent getting a pass mark, despite the topical subject matter and supply of good quotes, strong statistics and choice of angles.

The newspaper practice paper, which tested knowledge of libel, contempt, the identification of young offenders, anonymity for the victims of sexual offences and the PCC code, brought a 66 per cent pass rate.

The approach to some questions, a lack of understanding of the law and time management in the exam were among the reasons given for some of the failures.

In the interview section, 72 per cent of candidates passed. The examiners said that although the story was simple and relatively straightforward, it required good structure and a high level of detail.

The examiners' report said: "It was rewarding to see plenty of strong intros and many examples of a logical approach that included a mix of accurate quotes and reported speech.

"Without doubt the most pleasing figure was the number of candidates retaking the exam who achieved a pass – 70 per cent. This was significantly higher than pass rates for resit candidates over the past three years.

The logbook pass rate gets ever closer to 100 per cent. It stood at 98 per cent this time, which is excellent news.

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