A lot has changed in education in the last few decades, leaving some parents wondering how the system works. 

Hundreds of senior students around Central Otago are gearing up for evidence exam week (results from evidence exams are used as final grades if students cannot attend the end of year exams for any reason). 

All secondary schools across New Zealand take part in these exams, but evidence exams occur at different times in term three depending on the school. 

The Central App sees exam week as a good time to explain NCEA so the community can commiserate with stressed-out students.  

NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) - introduced between 2002-2004 - is a system of educational assessment used in New Zealand. NCEA is designed to assess and recognise the achievements of secondary school students. 

Here's how NCEA works: It is divided into three main levels, corresponding to different years of secondary education. Level 1 is typically taken in Year 11; Level 2 is typically taken in Year 12; and level 3 is typically taken in Year 13.

The NCEA system is credit-based. To earn an NCEA certificate at each level, students need to accumulate a specific number of credits. In level 1, this is 80 credits with 10 coming from numeracy and 10 coming from literacy. 

In levels 2 and 3, this number decreases to 60.  

Credits are awarded for achieving specific learning outcomes or standards.

Students who excel in a specific subject area can earn subject endorsements by achieving a set number of credits in that subject at a particular level. These endorsements demonstrate a high level of achievement in a specific subject.

In addition to subject endorsements, students can also earn course endorsements by achieving a certain number of credits at Excellence or Merit level across all their subjects.

There is a separate set of requirements for entrance to university. Students taking level 3 must gain 14 credits in three university-approved subjects. These subjects range from English and Biology to French and Design. 

This is the first year since 2020 seemingly unaffected by Covid-19.

“I am feeling confident this year but at the same time I’m a bit stressed as I have to pass exams to get into university,” one student told the Central App.

End of year exams start on November 13th for all NCEA students.