The National Qualifications Framework, NQF

The National Qualifications Framework, NQF, includes a number of National Certificates including NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3. The NQF uses standards to show what students know and can do. Qualifications are gained by building up credits awarded for each standard you achieve.

Standards are organized into ‘levels’ of increasing difficulty. Some are assessed internally by your teachers and some externally in end-of-year exams. There are two types of standards – unit standards and achievement standards. Both are used in programmes taught in schools. For achievement standards you can be awarded ‘achievement’, ‘merit’ or ‘excellence’ or ‘not achieved’. For unit standards you get either ‘achieved’ or ‘not achieved’.

Each standard is worth a set number of credits. When you achieve a standard, these credits count towards a qualification.

NCEA, National Certificate of Educational Achievement - Levels 1, 2 and 3

NCEA is the national school qualification typically assessed in Years 11 to 13. NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 represent just three of the many qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

You may be able to start studying towards other National Certificates (e.g. computing, electro-technology, tourism, employment skills) while still at school. You can see what is available, and the standards on which they are based on the NZQA website (www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework).

NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 Requirements

Level 1: 80 credits from any level, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits.

Level 2: 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 2 standards or higher.

The NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements MUST be met to achieve the Level 2 NCEA qualification.

If you wish to go to University see page 18 to 19 for UE Literacy requirements.

Level 3: 80 credits, 60 of which must be from Level 3 standards or higher.

NB. (1) The other 20 credits must be from Level 2 or above.

(2) There are no Literacy or Numeracy requirements for Level 3 NCEA.

Note, however, there are Literacy requirements for the Common Entrance Standard for admission to New Zealand universities.

Rewarding Achievement/Endorsements

Achievement Standards do not just set out expectations for achieving the standard. They also recognize performance that meets ‘Merit’ or ‘Excellence’ criteria. You can gain NCEA certificates endorsed with Merit or Excellence. If you get a minimum of 50 credits at Excellence level you will earn an NCEA Certificate endorsed with Excellence. If you get a minimum of 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.)

You can obtain a course endorsement with Merit or Excellence in individual subjects. In order to gain a course endorsement, you will require at least 14 credits at Merit or Excellence level within that subject. These credits must include a minimum of 3 credits from internally assessed standards and 3 credits from externally assessed standards. The only courses exempted from these requirements are Levels 1-3 Physical Education and Level 3 Visual Arts.

For a subject endorsement, the credits must be earned in a single school year.

NZQA Liaison Teacher

Ms Smith is the NZQA liaison teacher (ie. the Principal's Nominee) for our school. If you have any questions about national qualifications, or would like more details, please contact her.

Scholarship

Full time secondary school students have the opportunity to enter New Zealand Scholarship. Scholarship is not a qualification but is an award that is used for recognizing excellence. It does not earn credits but results are recorded on the student’s Record of Achievement.

New Zealand Scholarship is designed to extend the best secondary students and enable top scholars to be identified and acknowledged. Students will be able to enter one or more scholarship subjects as well as their Level 3 assessments.

Scholarship will be awarded to the best students in each of the Scholarship Subjects. In most subjects 2-3% of the number of students entering in Level 3 of that subject will be awarded a scholarship.

Note: In order to gain the monetary award that goes with these awards students must be permanent residents of New Zealand.

New Zealand Scholarship Subjects at Glenfield College

The list of subjects for New Zealand Scholarship includes the following subjects available in Level 3 at Glenfield College.

Biology

Calculus

Chemistry

Dance

Design and Visual Communication

Drama

English

Geography

History

Music

Physical Education

Physics

Statistics

Te Reo Maori

Visual Arts

NZQA Website

It is essential that all students make themselves familiar with the NZQA web site (www.nzqa.govt.nz). This gives them access to a huge amount of information and allows students to check results, exam specifications, rules and procedures, approved subject lists for university entrance and scholarship, literacy requirements for university entrance etc.