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NCTJ: PUBLIC AFFAIRS. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The paper. 2 hours 200 marks Pass mark 50% (rounded up) All questions worth 50 marks Answer BOTH questions in Section A Choose TWO questions from Section B (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) Question 8 is made up of six parts and you must answer FIVE
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NCTJ: PUBLIC AFFAIRS LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The paper • 2 hours • 200 marks • Pass mark 50% (rounded up) • All questions worth 50 marks • Answer BOTH questions in Section A • Choose TWO questions from Section B (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) • Question 8 is made up of six parts and you must answer FIVE • No dictionaries allowed
Tips • Read front cover: name on each page, page nos. • Each answer on separate sheet • Answer four questions in total • Spilt time evenly: 10 mins reading through questions, 25 minutes each question and 10 minsat least for checking answers • No negative marking
Main difference with university exam • Sources you would go to for stories • Questions you would ask sources
SECTION A 2 compulsory questions Finance question Key terms question
Question 1 • Compulsory question • Always on finance • Usually divided into 40 marks and 10 marks • A) Subject (40 marks) and B) sources for stories (10 marks) • Will have a scenario with information • Q1a) Topics: sources of capital funding, sources of revenue funding, central govt control of funding, local govt control of funding • Q1b) Five sources would contact for follow up and reasons for choice or fives questions would ask
Q1a) Finance main question • Mini-essay but not developing an argument • Explain the different aspects, pros and cons • Pick up marks for level of understanding, detail and examples of real councils / topical issues / future changes • Write everything you know, as no negative marking
Q1b) Sources • Councillor: Portfolio holder for finance • Leader of the council / opposition leader • Officer: council treasurer • Taxpayer / service users / public • Local finance expert / economist : accountant, university specialist, financial advisor
Q1b) Questions • Five sources and five questions you would ask • One question per person • Make each question different and relevant to the particular source • One mark for source and one mark for question • Ask one question each, not a double-barrelled question like How will this affect users and will they be angry? • Think DOA: detail, opinion action
Question 2 • Compulsory • Key terms of all areas • Explain TEN out of 16 • 5 marks each • Write a description and explanation • Write everything you know • More marks for context, additional information, facts, examples, analysis /criticisms
Key term marking guide 0 incorrect 1 some indication of understanding but superficial 2 broadly correct but muddled / with omissions 3 correct definition and clear explanation 4 as 3 but additional info with context 5 as 3 but with extra facts, examples, context and analysis
SECTION B Choose TWO questions from a choice of six
Section B topics • Council structures • Election procedures • Schools / education – always key term question • Social services / community care • Emergency services / police / community • Press access • Planning • Council conduct: allowances, interests, codes • Transport / trading standards / environmental health
Question structure • Each one worth 50 marks overall • Sometimes a and b or a, b and c • Questions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, will each be on one topic i.e schools or planning • Question 8 is always answer FIVE of 6 questions, 10 marks each • Question 8 topics are a mixture of topics
Questions 3 to 7 • Put your journalist hat on • Subject matter question/s (bulk of marks) • Contact idea question (10 marks) • Questions to ask sources (10 marks) • Think of obvious but varied sources and simple but varied questions • If asks for five sources and five questions, have one question specific to each source (1 mark per source, 1 mark per question asked of them) • Avoid repetition of similar questions
S, P, G • Make sure spelling, punctuation, grammar are accurate • Not in marking guide but will give a bad impression and annoy marker • If there are two names for something then include both to impress examiner e.g Private Finance Initiatives also known as Public Private Partnerships