Assessment Matters

Update on Assessment Specifications for the External Assessment of Level 1, 2 and 3 Achievement Standards for 2010
A2010/006 - 20 Mar 2010

Updated assessment specifications 

As a result of the review of external assessment last year, the 2009 external assessment specifications in some subject areas have been updated and changed to provide further clarification and interpretation. Teachers should not need to alter their programmes as a result of this update.

The affected subjects are listed below. The updated specifications are now available on the NZQA website through the subject-specific pages.

Assessment specifications explain the assessment parameters for each externally assessed standard. They include information such as the format of the paper, the equipment students can bring and use, and the context for questions where appropriate. They should be read alongside the applicable standards.

There are also assessment specifications for the non examination-based externally assessed standards in Graphics, Technology and Visual Arts.

The following are essential sources of information for preparation for externally assessed standards and can be found for each subject on the subject-specific resource page:

• registered versions of all achievement standards and Scholarship performance standards
• sample papers for externally assessed achievement standards
• previous examination papers and the relevant assessment reports
• the examination timetable.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to:

School Relationship Manager
School Quality Assurance and Liaison
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Fax: 04 463 3113
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz