What's NCEA all about?

In Y11, all students study towards Level 1 NCEA. Assessment is against nationally moderated achievement standards achieved through either internal or external assessment. Some courses may include unit standards. To achieve NCEA Level 1 students must gain a minimum of 80 credits. These credits must include Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements.

Level 1 NCEA Literacy

Minimum of 10 credits through either:

• Achievement Standards - Specified achievement standards at Level 6 of the curriculum. These are available through a range of subjects (minimum total of 10 credits) or
• Unit Standards - package of three literacy unit standards (total of 10 credits - all three required). These standards may be offered in the NCEA Communications English. Subject to student need.

Achievement standards developed for Te Reo Maori are also eligible to count towards the literacy requirement for NCEA Level 1.

Level 1 NCEA Numeracy

Minimum of 10 credits through either:

• Achievement Standards - Specified achievement standards at Level 6 of the curriculum. These are available through a range of subjects (minimum total of 10 credits) or
• Unit Standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (total of 10 credits - all three required). The numeracy requirements will be covered in Y11 Mathematics classes, with extra support given as needed.

In Y12, students continue to study towards NCEA at either Level 1 or Level 2. Assessment is against nationally moderated achievement standards achieved through either internal or external assessment. Some vocational courses will include unit standard qualifications. To achieve NCEA at Level 2, students must gain a minimum of 80 credits, of which 60 credits must be at Level 2, the other 20 credits can be at any level. If students have already gained credits at Level 2 the previous year, then these credits can be reused to go towards the Level 2 certificate. Also, any other credits gained the previous year can be reused as part of the 20 credits at any level needed. There is no prerequisite to have gained a Level 1 certificate prior to gaining a Level 2 certificate, however student must have Level 1 literacy and numeracy.

Y12 and Y13 students need to be aware of the literacy and numeracy requirements for University Entrance if they are considering tertiary education.

UE literacy requirements

A minimum of 10 credits at Level 2 or higher. 5 credits must be in Reading and 5 credits must be in Writing. These literacy credits can be achieved from courses of learning in Years 12 and 13. The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards from across the curriculum at Levels 2 and Level 3. As well as English, subjects that are likely to include literacy standards are Biology, Chemistry, Digital Technologies, Drama, Dance, Economics, Geography, Health, History, Home Economics, Mathematics with Statistics, Media Studies and Physical Education. Please check with the teacher in charge.

Or UE literacy can be achieved through specific Te Reo and Te Reo Rangatira Level 2 standards or two specific Level 4 English for academic purposes unit standards or an academic literacy common assessment tool (CAT) at Level 3 (no credit value, run by NZQA).

UE numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or higher from specified achievement standards or three specific numeracy unit standards.

In Y13, students study towards NCEA at either Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. Assessment is against nationally moderated achievement standards achieved through either internal or external assessment and vocational unit standards that are internally assessed.

To achieve NCEA at Level 3, students must gain a minimum of 80 credits, of which 60 credits must be at Level 3 standard; the other 20 credits can be at either Level 2 or 3 or higher. If students have already gained credits at Level 2 or 3, then these credits can be reused to go towards the Level 3 certificate. There is no prerequisite to have gained a Level 1 or 2 certificate prior to gaining a Level 3 certificate, but it is recommended.