NCEA
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF
EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT
What is the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)? 1
NCEA is the national qualification system for New Zealand’s senior secondary school students. It is made up
of three certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and usually studied in Years 11, 12 and 13. NCEA qualifications are part
of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
How does NCEA fit into the NZQF?
The NZQF is a framework of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications. It is made up of 10 levels.
Qualifications are assigned to a level on the scale depending on the difficulty of the skills or knowledge
learned. NCEA is part of the NZQF. NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 are Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the NZQF. Secondary
school students generally study at these levels. Levels 4 and above are usually studied after finishing school.
NCEA
NZQF
Year 11
NCEA Level 1
Level 1 - Certificate
Year 12
NCEA Level 2
Level 2 - Certificate
Year 13
NCEA Level 3
Level 3 - Certificate
Usually studied after finishing school
Level 4 and above
How do NCEA levels compare with School Certificate, Sixth Form and
Bursary?
Then
Now
Form
Qualification
Year
Qualification
Form 3
-
9
-
Form 4
-
10
-
Form 5
School Certificate
11
NCEA Level 1
Form 6
6th Form Certificate
12
NCEA Level 2
Form 7
Bursary
13
NCEA Level 3
Why was NCEA introduced?
Under the old system, students’ results were often scaled so only a certain number of students could pass. So
some students would receive a fail grade regardless of how they performed. NCEA measures each student’s
learning against set standards, instead of comparing students and ranking them. Not all skills and knowledge
can be assessed using tests and exams (e.g. fluency in foreign languages, competency in conducting science
experiments). NCEA provides a range of assessment methods that are appropriate to the subject being
assessed.
How is NCEA different from the old system?
The current system allows students to work towards other NZQF qualifications at the same time as they are
working toward their NCEA. For example, a student studying materials technology at school might also be
working on the National Certificate in Elementary Construction Skills. They can earn NCEA credits and a
National Certificate at the same time.
1 See www.careers.govt.nz/education-and-training/still-at-school/how-to-understand-ncea/
How is work assessed?
Students’ work is either externally or internally assessed.
•External assessments are mostly end of year exams marked by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
(NZQA).
•Internal assessments refer to work that is set and marked by the school (e.g. essays, tests, experiments).
Results are checked by independent moderators from NZQA.
What are standards?
Standards describe particular skills or knowledge within an area of study (e.g. English or Maths). Students
gain NCEA and other qualifications by working towards a combination of achievement standards and unit
standards:
• Achievement standards are gained from studying traditional curriculum subjects. Students may gain
achievement standards with either ‘achieved’, ‘achieved with merit’ or ‘achieved with excellence’.
• Unit standards are gained from studying towards traditional curriculum subjects as well as vocational subject
areas (e.g. tourism or hairdressing). Students are awarded unit standards on an ‘achieved’ (pass) or ‘not
achieved’ (fail) basis.
What are credits?
All qualifications on the NZQF are based on credits. Each standard is worth credits. Credits gained can be
used to achieve an NCEA or an industry qualification. A full qualification is awarded when students have
gained the appropriate amount of credits.
How many credits are needed to earn NCEA?
There are three levels of NCEA certificate, depending on the difficulty of the standards achieved. In general,
students work through levels
NCEA Level 3
NCEA Level 2
NCEA Level 1
80 credit
at level 1 or above
INCLUDING
10 literacy credits
at leve 1
10 numeracy credits
at level 1
60 credit
at level 2 or above
60 credit
at level 3 or above
AND
AND
20 credit
from any level 1
20 credit
from any level 2
Level 1 literacy and
numeracy requirements
must be met
How much does NCEA cost? 2
Secondary Education Fees
Cost (incl. GST)
Domestic studen entry for all NCEA standards
$76.70 per year
Search and confirmation of pas results
$25.60
Application for reconsideration of NCEA
$20.40 per standard
Issuing a copy of student’s record of achievement or School Results
Summary
$15.30
Reprint of certificates for NCEA Levels 1, 2 or 3
$15.30
2 See www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/fees/nzqa-fees/
DIGITAL RESOURCES (Available for Download)
HOW NCEA WORKS (Video)
http://bit.do/HowNCEAworks
Māori Future Makers NCEA - Steps to Success
http://bit.do/MaoriFutureMakers
Understanding NCEA
Access key information about NCEA
http://bit.do/NZQAbrochures
NCEA: the Facts
bit.do/NZQAthefacts
NCEA STUDENT APP
NCEA goal setting, planning and tracking
NCEA GUIDE APP
Access key information about NCEA
Steps to Success NCEA tips and tools to support your child
http://bit.do/MaoriFutureMakers