STUDYBUDDY + WEBPOLE

The Basics

How will I be assessed?

The skills and knowledge you gain when you study subject areas like English,Science, and Maths are made up of component ‘standars’. Qualifications are gained by building up credits, awarded for each standard you achieve.

Standards-based assessment measures your performance against preset standards. You are not judged against the achievements of other students. Your subject teachers will tell you what’s required to achieve each standard.

Standards are organised into ‘levels’ of increasing difficulty. Some are assessed internally, by your teachers, and some externally in end-of-year exams. Most schools organise the assessment of their programmes and courses in group of standards. A Mathematics assessment programme, level 1′ may look like this. This programme assesses 22 credits.

Standards

There are two types of standards – ‘unit standards’ and ‘achievement standards’. Both are used in programme taught at schools.

For achievement standards you reach ‘achieved’, ‘achieved with merit’ or ‘achieved with excellence’. For unit standards, you either get ‘achieved’ (pass) or ‘not achieved’ (failed).

The standards assessed in schools are usually at levels 1,2 and 3. Most students will start at level 1 in year 11 , though students often study at a mix of levels depending on their ability in particular subject areas. For example, in year 11 you can attempt studies at level 2,3 or higher, if your school has a suitable programme.

When you study a programme or course you don’t have to be assessed against every standard at every level in that subject area. School prepare a programme and use a mix of standards to assess students as they progress. Not all students will be assessed against the same standards. Your school will tell you what assessments you will be attempting.

Credits

Each standard is worth a certain number of credits. When you achieve a standard, these credits count towards your NCEA and may also contribute towards other national certificates, such as the National Certificate in Mathematics.

How do I get these qualifications?

Requirements for NCEA Certificates
	Level 1 L180 credits at any level, including 8 in literacy (English or Maori) and 8 in numeracy (Mathematics)
	Level 2 L280 credits – a minimum of 60 credits at level 2 or above and 20 credits at any levelCredits can be used for more than one qualification; so some of your NCEA level 1 credits can count towards NCEA level 2. At level 2 there are no specific literacy or numeracy requirements.
	Level 3 L380 credits – a minimum of 60 credits at level 3 or above and 20 credits at level 2 or above

Rewarding achievement

Achievement standards don’t just set out expectations for achieving the standard. They also recognise performance that meets ‘merit’ or ‘excellence’ criteria. You can now gain NCEA certificates endorsed with merit or excellence. If you get 50 credits at excellence level you will earn an NCEA certificate endorsed with excellence. If you get 50 credits at merit level you will earn an NCEA certificate endorsed with merit. (if you get 50 credits with a mix of merit and excellence you will earn an NCEA certificate endorsed with merit)

Students will be able to gain merit or excellence in particular subjetc areas. This means that if you’re doing very well in one particular area, that will be recognised in your results.

Excellence criteria area demanding and students who achieve with excellence for all or most of their standards will demonstrate higher-level thinking skills.

Other awards

University Entrance

To gain entry to a New Zealand university, you will need to have 42 credits at level 3 or above. At least 28 of these credits must come from standards on an NZQA approved list (www.nzqa.govt.nz/nces/ue). As well as these level 3 credits, you’ll need some credits at level 2 or 3 which show that you have reading and writing skills, and credits showing numeracy skills at level 1 or higher.

Universities and other tertiary providers in NZ sometimes have other specific requirements for entry to particular programmes or courses. If you have a particular university programme in mind, check the entry criteria as soon as possible, to ensure that you are entering for the right standards at level 3.

Scholarship

Scholarship is externally assessed. It is designed to extend the very best students and to financially reward very able students who are going on to tertiary study. It isnot a qualification.

Students sitting Scholarship will be assessed on their ability to think laterally and in the abstract. The exams cover the same knowledge and skills as level 3 achievement standards, but the standard od performance required is much higher.

What else should I know ?

Flexible,Personalised learning

Today’s assessment systems mean schools can run shorter courses, combine different levels, and link with industry and local business to run courses in a broader range of subjects. This means that all schools can offer programme to suit particular students and everyone is encouraged to achieve and be successful at school.

How do I enter?

All students must enter for assessment through an ‘accredited provider’, usually a secondary school or area school. Your school will be asked to send entries to NZQA during the year. You’ll be able to make changes to your entries, if necessary, later on. Your school will tell you when you need to finalise your entries and pay your fees to them.

How will may work be assessed?

Each standard is either internally assessed by your school during the year, or externally assessed. most external assessments are by exam at the end of the year, although for some subjects you will submit a portfolio.