Assessment specifications

Assessment specifications explain the assessment parameters for each externally assessed achievement standard.

To view assessment specifications

You can find assessment specifications by using the Search standards & assessment tool to search by keyword and level or achievement standard number. The assessment specifications appear in all of the following views:

• All national standards
• Achievement standards
• All documents.

Preparing for externally assessed standards

Assessment specifications include information such as the format of the paper, the equipment students can use and the context for questions where appropriate. They should be read alongside the achievement standards.

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

The following sources of information will also help prepare for externally assessed standards:

• Registered versions of all achievement standards
• Assessment and Certification Rules and Procedures for Secondary Schools
• External assessment (examination papers and samples) for the externally assessed achievement standards
• Examination timetable

To order hard copies

If you have difficulty in downloading any resources, hard copies are available from NZQA Customer Resources: telephone 04 463 3089, fax 04 382 6897 or email

Last updated: 19 March 2004