NCEA: How does it work?
| NCEA level 1 |
When you have achieved 80 credits from level 1 or higher, you have gained NCEA level 1. Eight of these credits must be from numeracy standards and eight other credits must be from literacy standards. These skills can be assessed in English or in te reo Māori. Your teachers can tell you which standards provide the required numeracy and literacy skills. | |
| NCEA level 2 |
NCEA level 2 requires a minimum of 60 credits at level 2 or above and 20 credits at any other level. Credits can be used for more than one qualification; so some of your NCEA level 1 credits can count towards NCEA level 2. At level 2 there are no specific literacy or numeracy requirements. | |
| NCEA level 3 |
For NCEA level 3 you will need to achieve 80 credits, of which 60 must be at level 3 or above, and 20 at level 2 or above. |
So a student might leave school having accummulated credits, and earned the qualifications as shown below:
NCEA: University Entrance / Other Qualifications 
Page updated: 18 August 2009