NCEA Info

What is NCEA?
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand’s national secondary school qualification and is internationally recognised. It provides pathways for students whether they plan to enter the workforce, begin an apprenticeship, or continue to tertiary study.
NCEA is offered at Levels 1, 2, and 3:
▶Level 1 builds a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
▶Level 2 is often considered the minimum qualification required for many jobs and tertiary programmes.
▶Level 3 prepares students for university and higher-level study.
While students typically complete Level 1 in Year 11, Level 2 in Year 12, and Level 3 in Year 13, it is common for students to study standards across different levels depending on their strengths and learning pathway.

How Does NCEA Work?
Students study a range of courses, each made up of standards that assess specific knowledge and skills. When a student successfully achieves a standard, they earn credits towards their qualification.
Assessment results are awarded one of four grades:
▶Not Achieved
▶Achieved
▶Merit
▶Excellence
To gain an NCEA qualification, students must achieve:
▶60 credits at the relevant level, and
▶The Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite, which demonstrates foundational reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
Students have multiple opportunities to meet the literacy and numeracy requirements, including after leaving school if necessary.

Assessment
NCEA uses a combination of internal and external assessment.
Internal Assessment
Internal assessments are designed and marked by teachers throughout the year. These may include assignments, practical work, speeches, performances, projects, and investigations.
External Assessment
External assessments are set by NZQA and marked by external assessors. These include:
▶End-of-year examinations
▶Common Assessment Activities (CAAs)
▶Portfolios and other externally submitted work
This balanced approach allows students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

Endorsements
NCEA recognises high achievement through Course Endorsements and Certificate Endorsements.
Course Endorsements
Students can earn an endorsement in an individual subject by achieving at least 14 credits at Achieved, Merit, or Excellence level within that course, including credits from both internal and external assessments.
Certificate Endorsements
Students who demonstrate consistently high achievement across all their studies can earn:
▶Merit Endorsement – 50 or more credits at Merit or Excellence.
▶Excellence Endorsement – 50 or more credits at Excellence.
Endorsements provide recognition for students who perform at a high level and are valued by employers and tertiary institutions.

University Entrance (UE)
Students wishing to enter university directly from school will generally need to meet University Entrance (UE) requirements.
To gain UE, students must achieve:
▶NCEA Level 3
▶14 Level 3 credits in each of three approved subjects
▶UE Literacy (10 credits at Level 2 or above, including reading and writing requirements)
▶UE Numeracy (10 credits at Level 1 or above)
Students considering university study should carefully select subjects that meet UE requirements and check any additional entry requirements set by their chosen university.

Why NCEA Matters
NCEA provides a flexible and nationally recognised pathway that prepares students for their future, whether that involves employment, apprenticeships, trades training, or university study. It allows students to gain qualifications while developing the knowledge, skills, and capabilities needed to thrive beyond school.