Number
AS90190
Version
1
Page 1 of 2
Achievement Standard
Subject Reference
Science 1.5
Title
Describe rocks and minerals
Level
1
Subfield
Science
Domain
Science - Core
Registration date
Credits
13 December 2001
3
Assessment
Date version published
External
13 December 2001
This achievement standard involves the classification and description of the uses of rocks and
minerals and the description of how rocks are formed.
Achievement Criteria
Achievement
Achievement with Merit
Achievement with
Excellence

Classify and describe
rocks and minerals, and
describe their uses.

Explain the classification
and use of rocks and
minerals.

Apply understanding of
the classification and use
of rocks and minerals.

Describe how rocks are
formed.

Explain how rocks are
formed.

Apply understanding of
how rocks are formed.
Explanatory Notes
1
This achievement standard is derived from Science in the New Zealand Curriculum,
Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 1993, pp. 118-119, in particular achievement
objectives 1 and 2; and Pütaiao i roto i te Marautanga o Aotearoa, Learning Media,
Ministry of Education, 1996, ‘Ö Mataora: Te Waonui’, WP 6.5 and WP 6.6, pp. 28-29.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Number
AS90190
Version
1
Page 2 of 2
2
Classification and use of rocks and minerals will involve a selection from the following:

classification based on properties: hardness, colour, habit, streak and cleavage,
texture, crystal size, and reaction to acids. Description of these properties will be
required. Names of individual rock/mineral types are not required but may be
referred to in resource material

design and use of keys to classify rocks and minerals

uses of the common minerals: quartz and calcite

uses of the common rocks: basalt, granite, limestone, schist, pounamu, and marble

link uses of rocks and minerals to their physical and chemical properties.
3
Formation of rocks will involve a selection from the following:

rock cycle and formation of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks

volcanic/extrusive formation of fine-grained igneous rocks, Plutonic/intrusive
formation of coarse-grained igneous rocks, formation of fine-grained sedimentary
mud/siltstone, formation of coarse-grained sedimentary conglomerate/sandstone,
formation of thin-layer low-grade metamorphic rocks, formation of thick-layer highgrade metamorphic rocks

links between environment and type of rock formed: swamp/coal,
river/conglomerate, lava flow/basalt, marble/deep burial

links between geological events and the environment in which rocks are formed:
sinking land, rising land, rising magma, depositing of sediments, plate
subducting/diving

relative age relationships of rocks in simple stratigraphic columns (rock sequence
shown is complete and is the correct way up). The analysis of the stratigraphic
column should address the order in which events occurred and relationships to
geological events.
Quality Assurance
1
Providers and Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications
Authority before they can register credits from assessment against achievement
standards.
2
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against
achievement standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those
achievement standards.
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0226
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016