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Literacy & Numeracy
What are the CAAs?
What are the CAAs?
Starting from 2024, all students who have not yet attained Foundation Literacy (also known as Level 1 Literacy) and Numeracy must pass either the Common Assessment Activities (CAAs) for Numeracy and Literacy (Reading and Writing) or gain these credits following an alternative pathway.
"Common Assessment Activity" (AKA CAAs) refers to the external assessments offered twice during the academic year. The CAAs are unit standards which are graded 'Not Achieved' or 'Achieved'. There are no Merit or Excellence grades available, and these standards do not count towards any endorsement.
There are three separate CAAs: One for Numeracy (10 Credits); one for Literacy Reading (5 Credits); and one for Literacy Writing (5 Credits). These are online digital exams which will be sat at school. Once you have passed a CAA, you do not need to sit it again. However, if you do not pass, you will have future opportunities to do so.
Handy Links
NCEA LitNum Resource Guides Students and whānau_0.pdf
2026 CAA Assessment dates
2026 CAA Assessment dates
Round 1: Term 2 (May) - Week 5
Round 2: Term 3 (September) - Week TBC
FAQs
FAQs
What happens if I have achieved a CAA?
Check that you have been successful in all three CAA examinations (you can do this by logging in to NZQA and checking your results).
If you have achieved all three CAAs, then CONGRATULATIONS! You no longer need to take this exam.
When do the CAA exams take place?
There are two assessment opportunities every year. In 2026, these are in May and in September.
What do the results tell you?
For each CAA, students receive a breakdown of their results which shows their level of success in one of three "Outcomes".
This gives unsuccessful students the chance to focus on, and ask for help with, their weaker areas.
What are the grades possible?
The only possible grades are Achieved or Not Achieved.
What if I do not pass?
There is no maximum number of times a student can sit the Common Assessment Activities. If a student does not pass one or more of the assessments, they will be able to resit these at the next available opportunity (there are two testing windows each year).
How can I prepare for these assessments?
Click on the links in the menu at the top of the page for specific practice activities and support.
If you prefer workbook-style revision, consider purchasing one of the resources linked below (search online for the best available price!). Please note that book 2 for each subject is a more recent version of the book.
Literacy Workbooks:
Literacy Essentials (Book 1)
Building Confidence in Literacy (Book 2) *This is a more recent version and better aligned with the latest Literacy assessments.
Numeracy Workbooks:
Numeracy Essentials (Book 1)
Numeracy Practice (Book 2)*
Our Literacy and Numeracy Co-Ordinators
Our Literacy and Numeracy Co-Ordinators
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