You will login to your digital exam using the same login details you use to access your student login.

As part of preparing for digital exams, you should create an account at https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/login/ if you don't have one already, or check your username and password.

You will be able to access your digital exam from the NZQA homepage or the student exam hub by clicking on the access banner which will be displayed during the exam period.

You can choose to move to paper at any time before or during the exam.

If you have started a standard online, you're encouraged to complete the standard digitally before moving to the next standard on paper. If you choose to switch to paper, the rest of the exam must be completed on paper. You will not be able to switch back to the digital exam.

Some exams will include a separate booklet of resource material. If your exam includes resource material in a separate booklet, your exam supervisor will give this to you.

Yes, you can ask for paper to take notes during your exam from your supervisor. You can also take notes in the digital exam platform.

The supervisor will collect your note paper at the end of the exam. You should bring a pen and pencil to your exam, for note taking and in case you need to switch to a paper version of your exam.

If your device stops working during a digital exam, you will not be disadvantaged.

All responses will have been saved and the you can resume the exam on another device as required. If no other device is available, the exam supervisor will assist you with moving to a paper exam.

They will also note any time you lost while a solution to the issue was found and give you additional time at the end of the exam to make up for this.

You can switch to paper. You do not need to copy what you have completed so far onto the paper exam as this will be saved on the exam software server.

If you are not able to work while your supervisor and technical support will look for a solution you will be given additional time at the end of the exam to make up for time lost and ensure you have three hours to complete the exam.

If you attempt to move away from the exam or try to access other areas of your device, you’ll get a warning message. If you do not return to the exam immediately, you’ll be locked out of the exam.

To ensure you are not locked out by mistake, ensure your screensaver, notifications and automatic updates are disabled.

The supervisor can unlock the exam but may need to report the possible breach to NZQA.

You can copy and paste from within the digital exam software for example, copy and pasting the resources or moving your work into different text boxes.

However you cannot copy and paste from outside sources.

If you attempt to move away from the exam browser, you may be locked out of the digital exam platform.

Yes, you will be able to use a different language, as appropriate for the subject, by switching the Language Keyboards. You need to ensure you have the language keyboard software packs downloaded and fully enabled prior to entering the exam.

We strongly suggest having practiced this language switching on the device you intend to use for your digital examination before the examinations.

As with paper exams, you can answer your exams in English or Te Reo Māori, if the exam allows it. A list of subjects that can be answered in Te Reo Māori can be found here.

Quickly check if your device meets the specifications for a digital exam by using our Digital exams device check.

If you are using your own device for your digital exam, make sure the device is a laptop or Chromebook.

Touch screen portable devices can only be used if they have physically attached keyboards. Students using on-screen keyboards will be locked out of the exam by the security mechanisms in the software.

Make sure:

• the operating system is
  
  

  • • • Microsoft Windows 7, 8.1, 10+

      • Apple Mac OS 10.12+

      • Chrome OS

• The device has one of the following browsers installed
  
  

  • • • Google Chrome, version 74+

      • Safari (Mac), version 11+

• notifications, screensavers and automatic updates have been disabled

• you’ve set screen resolution to minimum 1366 x 768 pixels

• the browser is set to full screen mode

• it’s virus free

• it’s fully charged and can last the duration of the assessment

Note: Your school may not be able to provide plugs for power cables in your exam room, so it’s important that your device is fully charged before going into an exam.

Power banks can be used in the exam room. Your power bank must be stored in your sealed emergency evacuation pack under your desk. If you need to use it, ask your supervisor. Power banks with wireless capability and/or memory storage capacity will not be allowed. If you bring these devices into the exam room it will constitute a breach of exam rules.