Updated Dec. 26, 2006

Certified Journalism Educator
(CJE) Exam Study Guide

The CJE exam is designed for you to demonstrate your knowledge of basics in journalism and media advising. You may choose to respond from a newspaper, yearbook or broadcast advising perspective. While you may be able to refer to examples from literary magazine advising in responding to some of the questions, the questions are not designed for you to demonstrate knowledge in this area exclusively.

1. You are to answer all 20 questions. The 2-1/2 hour testing period, including time for instructions and clarification, allows an average of seven minutes per question. In some cases you could go into great detail in answering the questions. However, you must restrict your answers to the time you have. The judges realize you are writing under a time limit.
2. Write each answer on the sheet provided. If you need more space, use the back of the answer sheet or add an extra sheet. In either case, be sure to copy your Candidate’s Code number on the top of the page.
3. Please print or write neatly. Use a blue or black pen. Answers will be photocopied for judges.
4. In many cases you will be asked to give a specific number of examples (like “Discuss four points...”). You may be able to think of many more examples, but you only need to give the number requested, focusing on the ones you feel are most significant. Be sure each point is distinct and unique, not an extension of a previously stated point.
5. Your answers should be written in prose form. You may organize your response in list or outline form (rather than complete paragraph form); however, your answers must be in complete sentences.
6. More than one judge will be involved in evaluating your answers. Each answer must be able to stand alone. Do not refer to your statements in a previous question in answering another question.
7. Each answer will be evaluated on a scale of 0-4. You must earn a minimum score of 60 points for the 20 questions — an average of Good (3 points) per question.
   4 = Excellent (All points covered)
   3 = Good (Most points covered)
   2 = Minimum Competency (Some points covered)
   1 = Unsatisfactory (Significant omissions)
   0 = Irrelevant
8. In writing your answers, do not include your name, the name of your school or state or any other form of identification of yourself or your program. The judges should not be able to determine who you are based on your answers. Such answers will be invalidated. The only identification should be your Candidate’s Code number.
9. If you are taking this exam at a JEA/NSPA national convention, you can expect to receive the results in about eight weeks. If you are taking this exam at some other time, you can expect to receive the results about eight weeks after the conclusion of the next JEA national convention.