Use of Abbreviations in Exams

10 November, 2006

The Qualifications Authority is actively discouraging candidates in NCEA exams from using abbreviations, including text-style abbreviations.

Deputy Chief Executive, Qualifications, Bali Haque said there had been no change in the Authority's policy in regard to use of abbreviations in examinations.

Where an examination requires candidates to demonstrate language use - i.e. sentence structure, grammar, spelling - they would be penalised for using abbreviations, Mr Haque said.

Where an examination requires candidates to demonstrate understanding in an area of study other than language use, they need to clearly show the required understanding.

In these cases, use of abbreviations creates a risk of answers not being understood, Mr Haque said.

"The candidates' priority at all times should be to ensure their answers are clearly understandable to markers. The best way to do this is to use standard English," he said.

For more information contact:

Steve Rendle,
Senior Media Adviser,
04 463 4240
0274 57 57 83

Page updated: 10 November 2006