From the Accreditation Board
This month we’ve got the good, the bad and the ugly exam feedback for you. Get a sneak peek into what people say about the exam. And for all AEs, we’ve got some advice to help you renew your accreditation when the time comes. (AEs who sat the exam in 2011, 2016 or 2020, we’re looking at you!) We even suggest a book you could read and add to your reaccreditation project and PD log.
What people say about the exam
After each exam, we ask candidates for their feedback. In 2024, this is what they had to say.
“I think it was very well organised, and I felt fully supported by the workshops and other resources. Thanks very much!”
“I thought the Knowledge part was well balanced between the different topics, something in there for everyone.”
“The information provided to prepare for the exam was enough but could do with a review. So many things were repeated in different places. It would be better to just have one central source of truth for each piece rather than having to rifle through multiple documents, emails, session notes and online resources. Sometimes less is more!”
“It would be great if the Knowledge part headings were clearer, sometimes I got lost, though the bookmark function did help.”
We’re so glad that the workshops and resources supported candidates and the Knowledge part was balanced to suit most editors. As for reviewing the preparation resources and Knowledge-part headings, we’re on it!
Postponing the exam will allow us more time to update resources and the exam itself, improving the exam experience for all future candidates. Want to send us feedback about any aspect of the exam? You’ll have to sit the exam! (Just kidding, you can email the AB chair, Charlotte Cottier, anytime at ab.chair@iped-editors.org.)
How to renew your accreditation
Whether you need to renew your accreditation this year or in 4 years, it’s worth knowing what information you need to share with us when applying for renewal. We’ve prepared a template “Reaccreditation project and PD log” spreadsheet to help you record this information.
- Download the project and PD log spreadsheet.
- Think about your editing practice during the past 5 years (or your most recentaccreditation period). You’ll need to share details of 5 projects with us (year, project name, genre, role/tasks, client’s/manager’s details, URL or publication details).
Next, consider any:
- study or training you’ve done (through IPEd, a tertiary institution or another organisation)
- reading you’ve done about writing, editing and publishing
- conferences you’ve attended
- professional organisations you volunteer for (it’s not too late to volunteer for IPEd)
- mentoring you’ve done (either as mentor or mentee).
- List your professional practice and development in the spreadsheet. You might need to provide evidence for some types of professional development, so make sure you have your completion certificate or screenshot of participation ready to share if asked. (Attendance atIPEdevents is recorded in Memnet, so you don’t need to provide evidence for IPEd training or conferences.)
- Register for the renewal event and pay your renewal fee.
- Complete andsubmitthe online renewal application form by 31 July.
Which book to read next
We hope you’ve enjoyed our resource reviews as much as we’ve enjoyed writing them! This month’s resource, The Chicago guide to fact-checking by Brooke Borel, is for all editors, no matter their career stage or accreditation status. It’s also a timely reminder “in the age of AI-driven transformation” (yes, we’re sick of this phrase too).
What it covers:
- why we fact-check
- what we fact-check
- how we fact-check
- how to check different facts
- how to source information
- how to keep records.
Aside from the usual suspects, Borel reminds us that we should even check the things we checked last week and the things we know are true.
Why it matters: Borel suggests philosophical, practical and legal reasons to fact-check a text, which boil down to fact-checking being an important tool in our editorial toolboxes. By fact-checking, editors can help prevent the spread of misinformation (false information spread unwittingly) and disinformation (false information spread on purpose).
How to use it: Follow the clear steps and quick guides in each section based on the information you need, such as product claims, maps or sports.
Especially follow the advice about how to build relationships with sources because a recurring fact-checking step is “ask an expert”.
Where to get it: Online – look for The Chicago guide to fact-checking by Brooke Borel (2nd edition, The University of Chicago Press, 2023).