NCEA

NCEA Requirements 

Level One Requirements: 

• 80 credits at level one or above. 

• This includes 10 literacy or Te Reo Mataniti credits. 

• 10 numeracy or Te Pangaru credits. 

Level Two Requirements: 

• 60 credits at level two or above. 

• Plus 10 literacy or Te Reo Mataniti credits. 

• Plus 10 numeracy or Te Pangaru credits. 

• Note: Students only need to achieve the 10 literacy and numeracy credits once. If students achieved these credits during level one, they do not need to achieve these credits each year. 

Level Three Requirements: 

• 60 credits at level three or above. 

• Plus 10 literacy or Te Reo Mataniti credits. 

• Plus 10 numeracy or Te Pangaru credits. 

• Note: Students only need to achieve the 10 literacy and numeracy credits once. If students achieved these credits during level one, they do not need to achieve these credits each year. 

NCEA does not have a time limit for completion. Students can resume the completion of their education after an extended period of time. 

Course Endorsements

A course endorsement will appear on your record of achievement and shows that you are particularly confident in that subject. 

Note: Course endorsements are not a requirement to achieve NCEA but are impressive on applications for tertiary institutes and scholarships. Course endorsements can be awarded to students at levels 1-3. 

Course Endorsement Requirements: 

• At least 14 credits from one subject. These are composed of at least 3 internal credits and at least 3 external credits. 

• Course endorsements are awarded a excellence, merit, or achieved grade. All 14 credits need to be graded excellence for an excellence course endorsement. All 14 credits need to be graded merit or above for a merit course endorsement. All 14 credits need to be graded achieved or above for an achieved course endorsement. 

NCEA Certificate Endorsements

An NCEA certificate endorsement will appear on your record of achievement and recognisises that you have achieved highly in your academics. NCEA certificate endorsements are awarded for levels one, two, and three after exams are compelted. These endorsments can be achieved at either merit or excellence. 

Note: NCEA certificate endorsements are not a requirement  to achieve NCEA but are impressive on applications for tertiary institutes and scholarships. Certificate endorsements can be awarded to students at levels 1-3. 

Certificate Endorsement Requirements: 

• Merit Endorsement: At least 50 credits at level one or above achieved with merit. 

• Excellence Endorsement:  At least 50 credits at level one or above achieved with excellence.