Overview of NCEA
Helping to raise achievement in NCEA.
Evidence collected
This year your teachers will gather evidence that shows you have reached standards described in assessment or unit standards. Evidence about your achievement may be collected in a variety of ways: seminars, group tasks, tests, projects, exams. Some standards' skills may be assessed during the year (internally assessed) and others through exams held at the end of the year (externally assessed).
Derived Grades
Evidence from prelim examinations will be used for derived grade applications should they be needed at the end of the year.
Credits awarded
Aim to gain highest grade possible. You may be able to resubmit work to improve your grade. This may be in written form or you may be able to verbally explain your answers. You may also be given a reassessment opportunities as time and manageability permit.
Quality Credits and Endorsements
It is important to always try to gain the highest grade possible. If you perform consistently above the 'Achieved' level you can be 'endorsed' to reflect that high achievement. There are two types of endorsement available either a certificate endorsement or course endorsement.
Certificate Endorsement:
For a merit endorsement you need to achieve 50 credits at Merit or Excellence at the same level, or higher, than the level of the certificate being awarded. For an excellence endorsement you need to achieve 50 credits at Excellence at the same level, or higher, than the level of the certificate being awarded.
Course Endorsement:
Students will gain an endorsement for a course if, in a single school year, they achieve:
- 14 or more credits at Merit or Excellence, where
- at least 3 of these credits from externally assessed standards and 3 credits from internally assessed standards.
Level 1 NCEA
- 80 credits in total.
- Must include 10 literacy credits from various achievement standards. There are lots that count in English and some across other subjects that have a literacy component also.
- You will need 10 numeracy credits from various achievement standards. There are lots that count in maths and some across other subjects that have a numeracy component also. You will also need this for university entrance later if studying for a degree later.
Information from the NZQA site is here
Level 2 NCEA
- 80 credits
- 60 credits from level 2 or above, (the additional 20 can come from any level).
- The Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements must also be met.
Level 3 NCEA
- 80 credits
- 60 credits at level 3 or above, (the additional 20 can come from level 2 or above).
- The Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements must also be met.
University Entrance
University Entrance (UE) is the minimum requirement to go to a New Zealand university. To qualify you will need:
- NCEA Level 3
- Three subjects - at Level 3, made up of:
- 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
- Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
- 5 credits in reading
- 5 credits in writing
- Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above.
Check out this link to University Entry information on the NZQA site.
Some universities/tertiary providers offer restricted courses with special requirements. See the Careers/Transition department for further information.
Scholarship
Scholarship is a monetary award to recognise top students. It is not a qualification and does not contribute credits to NCEA. However, if students gain scholarship passes they will be acknowledged on their record of achievement.
