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.

If you gain the required number of credits with 'Merit' or 'Excellence', your certificate will be endorsed:

50 credits at Merit or Excellence - Certificate with Merit
50 credits at Excellence - Certificate with Excellence

So a student might leave school having accummulated credits, and earned the qualifications as shown below:

Recognising achievement

Excellence criteria are demanding and students who achieve 'with excellence' for all or most of their standards will demonstrate higher-level thinking skills.

What else should you know?

Page updated: 14 August 2007