NCEANATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT

What is the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)? 1

NCEA is the national qualification system for New Zealand’s senior secondary school students. It is made up

of three certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and usually studied in Years 11, 12 and 13. NCEA qualifications are part

of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

How do NCEA levels compare with School Certificate, Sixth Form and Bursary?

Why was NCEA introduced? Under the old system, students’ results were often scaled so only a certain number of students could pass. So

some students would receive a fail grade regardless of how they performed. NCEA measures each student’s

learning against set standards, instead of comparing students and ranking them. Not all skills and knowledge

can be assessed using tests and exams (e.g. fluency in foreign languages, competency in conducting science

experiments). NCEA provides a range of assessment methods that are appropriate to the subject being

assessed.

1 See www.careers.govt.nz/education-and-training/still-at-school/how-to-understand-ncea/

How is NCEA different from the old system? The current system allows students to work towards other NZQF qualifications at the same time as they are

working toward their NCEA. For example, a student studying materials technology at school might also be

working on the National Certificate in Elementary Construction Skills. They can earn NCEA credits and a

National Certificate at the same time.

Then Now

Form Qualification Year Qualification

Form 3 - 9 -

Form 4 - 10 -

Form 5 School Certificate 11 NCEA Level 1

Form 6 6th Form Certificate 12 NCEA Level 2

Form 7 Bursary 13 NCEA Level 3

How does NCEA fit into the NZQF?The NZQF is a framework of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications. It is made up of 10 levels.

Qualifications are assigned to a level on the scale depending on the difficulty of the skills or knowledge

learned. NCEA is part of the NZQF. NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 are Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the NZQF. Secondary

school students generally study at these levels. Levels 4 and above are usually studied after finishing school.

NCEA NZQF

Year 11 NCEA Level 1 Level 1 - Certificate

Year 12 NCEA Level 2 Level 2 - Certificate

Year 13 NCEA Level 3 Level 3 - Certificate

Usually studied after finishing school Level 4 and above

How is work assessed? Students’ work is either externally or internally assessed.

• External assessments are mostly end of year exams marked by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

• Internal assessments refer to work that is set and marked by the school (e.g. essays, tests, experiments). Results are checked by independent moderators from NZQA.

What are standards? Standards describe particular skills or knowledge within an area of study (e.g. English or Maths). Students

gain NCEA and other qualifications by working towards a combination of achievement standards and unit

standards:

• Achievement standards are gained from studying traditional curriculum subjects. Students may gain achievement standards with either ‘achieved’, ‘achieved with merit’ or ‘achieved with excellence’.

• Unit standards are gained from studying towards traditional curriculum subjects as well as vocational subject areas (e.g. tourism or hairdressing). Students are awarded unit standards on an ‘achieved’ (pass) or ‘not achieved’ (fail) basis.

What are credits? All qualifications on the NZQF are based on credits. Each standard is worth credits. Credits gained can be

used to achieve an NCEA or an industry qualification. A full qualification is awarded when students have

gained the appropriate amount of credits.

How many credits are needed to earn NCEA?There are three levels of NCEA certificate, depending on the difficulty of the standards achieved. In general,

students work through levels

2 See www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/fees/nzqa-fees/

How much does NCEA cost? 2

NCEA Level 1

80 credit

at level 1 or above

INCLUDING

60 credit

at level 2 or above

AND

20 credit

from any level 1

Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements

must be met

NCEA Level 2

60 credit

at level 3 or above

AND

20 credit

from any level 2

NCEA Level 3

10 literacy creditsat leve 1

10 numeracy creditsat level 1

Secondary Education Fees Cost (incl. GST)

Domestic studen entry for all NCEA standards $76.70 per year

Search and confirmation of pas results $25.60

Application for reconsideration of NCEA $20.40 per standard

Issuing a copy of student’s record of achievement or School Results

Summary

$15.30

Reprint of certificates for NCEA Levels 1, 2 or 3 $15.30

Understanding NCEAAccess key information about NCEA

http://bit.do/NZQAbrochures

Māori Future Makers NCEA - Steps to Success

http://bit.do/MaoriFutureMakers

HOW NCEA WORKS (Video)

http://bit.do/HowNCEAworks

NCEA: the Factsbit.do/NZQAthefacts

NCEA STUDENT APPNCEA goal setting, planning and tracking

NCEA GUIDE APPAccess key information about NCEA

Steps to Success NCEA tips and tools to support your child

http://bit.do/MaoriFutureMakers

DIGITAL RESOURCES (Available for Download)