What's new

141,000 prepare for examinations More than 141,000 candidates are preparing for this year's NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams being held from November 14 to December 2, 2009. The first exams are NZ Scholarship subjects, Classical Studies and Agricultural & Horticultural Science on Saturday, November 14. More ...	November 2009
Twitter service for exam candidates Candidates in this year's NCEA and Scholarship senior secondary school exams can sign up to receive reminders and updates from NZQA through the social networking site, Twitter.com. More ...	October 2009
A new scale of fees for qualification evaluation A new scale of fees will be applied to all new Qualification Assessment applications submitted after 6 October, 2009. More ...	September 2009
The countdown has begun! The countdown to the NCEA exams has begun, with NZQA beginning to publish tips and pointers for students. More ...	September 2009
Targeted review of the qualifications system For some time now, employers, employees and unions have raised concerns about the clarity and relevance of qualifications, particularly vocational qualifications. To support a robust economy in these changeable times, our qualifications system must work well for all those who use it. As a consequence, NZQA is seeking feedback from tertiary education organisations, representatives bodies, and other interested groups and agencies on proposed changes to NZ's qualifications system. More ...	September 2009
New qualifications recognised for credit inclusion NZQA publishes an approved list of qualifications recognised for credit inclusion. A number of qualifications have recently been added to this list. More ...	September 2009
Simplifying the registration of unit standards The documentation requirements and processes for the registration of unit standards by NZQA has been simplified and streamlined. More ...	September 2009
Moderation 2007-08 New Zealand secondary schools deliver the New Zealand Curriculum and assess it using a mixture of internally and externally assessed standards. During 2007 a programme of NCEA enhancements was instigated. As part of this programme (starting from 2008) the number of internally assessed standards moderated was substantially increased with a goal of 10% being set. More ...	September 2009
NZQA investigation into alleged fraudulent activity The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is investigating allegations of fraudulent activity by a private training establishment, made in the TV2 programme Illegal New Zealand, last night (Thursday, 20 August). More ...	August 2009
Understanding NCEA This guide is for students new to NCEA. it is also written with parents/guardians in mind, so they understand how NCEA works. In particular, it has a 'Tips for parents' section. More ...	July 2009
Making Use of NCEA "Making use of NCEA" is a new guide written for senior students. It reminds them of University Entrance requirements, and points them to sources of useful information. More ...	July 2009
Proposed National Degree registration process In May 2008, NZQA established a project to develop a process for handling applications to register a National Degree on the NQF. NZQA is seeking feedback from the tertiary education sector on a proposed process for the registration of a National Degree. More ...	July 2009
NCEA Assessment Resources NZQA continues to produce resources for teachers and students involved in NCEA. Moderators are producing Newsletters, and Clarifications documents which are available online As well, a number of subjects are now supported by Exemplars of student work for both internally- and externally-assessed standards. More ...	July 2009
National External Moderation for Tertiary Education Organisations TEOs must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can offer programmes of education and training assessed against unit standards. Once they are accredited, TEOs assessing against unit standards must carry out internal moderation and engage with the external moderation that applies. The 2009 Manual is now available. More ...	July 2009
National Education Information Centre website The National Education Information Centre provides information and advice on the New Zealand education system, secondary and tertiary qualifications, and recognition of overseas qualifications. More ...	July 2009
NZDipBus Rules & Procedures The New Zealand Diploma in Business (NZDipBus) is a nationally recognised qualification that allows students to gain a broad range of general business skills and knowledge. Updated Rules and Procedures governing its operations have been published. More ...	July 2009
Proposed Literacy and Numeracy Quality Assurance tools NZQA is seeking comment from institutes of technology and polytechnics, wānanga and private and government training establishments on specific Literacy and Numeracy Quality Assurance tools. The proposed tools would become a component of the New Quality Assurance Framework by being integrated within the NZQA tertiary evaluation indicators. More ...	July 2009
Breaches of Examinations Rules The number of serious breaches of examination rules dropped by almost half in the 2008 senior secondary school examinations. More ...	July 2009
New Rules and Procedures for Further Assessment Opportunities Secondary school students will have a maximum of one reassessment chance for internally assessed NCEA standards from 2010, under new rules and procedures announced by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). More ...	July 2009
Subject Endorsement to further motivate top students Extra recognition for secondary school students who perform exceptionally well in specific subjects will be included in NCEA results from 2011, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced today. More ...	June 2009
Summary Report: Motivation and Achievement at Secondary School The Ministry of Education has issued a summary of Longitudinal Research on the NCEA and Student Motivation and Achievement. It reports the results of the final two years of a four year research project to investigate relationships between the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and how students think about their learning and achieve academically in secondary school. More ...	June 2009
Introducing the New Zealand Qualifications Authority NZQA has published which explains NZQA's roles, spanning the secondary and tertiary education sectors. NZQA administers the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEAs) for senior secondary school students. NZQA is responsible for the quality assurance of most tertiary training providers (including polytechnics, wānanga, government and private training establishments). In the case of universities, the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee is the body responsible for quality assurance. More ...	June 2009
Using Immigration Advisors (or agents) Those applying for an assessment of their International Qualifications who are using an Advisor when applying, or acting as an Advisor to applicants, need to be aware of the requirements of the Immigration Advisors Licencing Act 2007. More ...	June 2009
Visual Arts exemplars published A new batch of exemplars of student work from the 2008 assessment year have been published for use by students and teachers. More ...	June 2009
New Quality Assurance Framework consultation reports Summary reports on policy requirements for self-assessment and external evaluation and review, and policies for PTE registration are now available following analysis of feedback. More ...	June 2009
2008 NCEA Survey Results Survey results teachers' and candidates' views of the 2008 NCEA and Scholarship assessments, and of Principals' Nominees on the procedures surrounding the NCEA. More ...	June 2009
Top Scholars honoured The full list of New Zealand's Top Scholar for 2008 were honoured at an Awards presentation at Parliament. The 2008 New Zealand Scholarship Top Scholar Awards recognised the 29 elite students who make up the country's Premier Award and Top Subject Scholarship Award winners. More ...	May 2009
Statement of Intent tabled in Parliament In its Statement of Intent for the period 2009-2012, NZQA explained that it will be focused on six key areas over the next three years. It will deliver across all of our core business as a matter of course. The Statement of Intent outlines the key priority initiatives that will be the focus of NZQA's attention. More ...	May 2009
Credit where it's due for young songwriters & performers The 2009 National Secondary School Songwriting Competition and the 2009 Peace Song Competition are open to all secondary school students, with entries closing on Friday, 5 June 2009. More ...	May 2009
Understanding NCEA - The DVD NZQA has released a new DVD called Understanding NCEA. It discusses New Zealand's senior secondary qualification, NCEA, through the eyes of parents, teachers and students. Topics covered include: the structure of NCEA; certificate endorsement; and multi-level learning. Distributed to all secondary schools earlier in the year, it is now available online. More ...	May 2009
Top Scholars To Be Recognised at Parliament The Minister of Education, Hon. Anne Tolley will present Top Scholar Awards to the top performers in the 2008 Scholarship exams at Parliament tomorrow, Thursday 14 May. The 2008 New Zealand Scholarship Top Scholar Awards recognise the 29 elite students that make up the country's Premier Award and Top Subject Scholarship Award winners. More ...	May 2009
New-look statistics pages deliver clearer results National NCEA statistics for 2008 will be available online on the NZQA website by 5pm today (Monday, 11 May, 2009). The newly designed statistics web-pages include, for the first time, data based on participation, which identifies students who could potentially gain qualifications in a particular year, rather than including all students on a school roll. More ...	May 2009
Assessment Reports from the 2008 exams The Assessment Reports for both the NCEA and Scholarship exams of 2008 are now available. NCEA or Scholarship	March 2009
TopArt now online While the physical Top Art exhibitions tour the country, allowing students to see close exemplars of some of the best work produced by senior Visual Arts students last year, a subset of this same work is available online. More ...	March 2009
PTE Compliance Monitoring NZQA is consulting on proposals for changes to the system for monitoring PTE compliance with the policies and criteria for their registration. A consultation document has been prepared and we welcome feedback by 4 May. More ...	March 2009
Consequences of low confidence in educational quality NZQA is consulting with all non-university tertiary education providers to develop policies for the regulatory consequences of low confidence in educational quality. A consultation document has been prepared and we welcome feedback by 4 May. More ...	March 2009
Top Art tours the country! Visual Art from New Zealand's top secondary school art students will be featured in a touring exhibition visiting approximately 30 different venues throughout the country over the next five months. More ...	March 2009
Draft guidelines on further assessment opportunities - for consultation As indicated last year, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has developed a set of draft guidelines for schools on reassessment and resubmission opportunities for internal assessment. More ...	March 2009
Top Scholarship Award winners announced NZQA has confirmed the Premier Award and Top Subject Scholarship Award winners for 2008. A total of 29 students made up the country's 10 Premier Award and Top Subject Scholarship Award winners, with several students winning awards in both categories. More ...	March 2009
2008 Exam Papers Schools (and others) who wish to order supplies of the 2008 external exam papers are advised they are now available. Use the revised Order Form. More ...	March 2009
Moderation for Secondary Schools NZQA is running follow-up series of 'Moderation Best Practice' workshops for secondary teachers. They will provide opportunities for teachers to clarify understandings of grade boundaries, work with supplied assessment materials including samples of student work, and to engage in professional discussion. More ...	February 2009
Annual Roadshow for Principal's Nominees NZQA is holding its annual Principals Nominees Roadshow in various centres around New Zealand, updating PNs on issues of moment. The presentation used by NZQA staff is now available online, for schools to use for discussions with their staff. More ...	February 2009
Scholarship results released Scholarship results for almost 9000 students who sat exams at the end of last year have been posted and will reach candidates from today (18 February). Results will also be available this afternoon to students via secure login on the NZQA website. More ...	February 2009
NCEA Surveys NZQA is once again seeking the views of teachers on the 2008 external assessment. The feedback will be used directly by the assessment facilitators and markers to review the assessment round and prepare for the subsequent year.	February 2009
SecQual Circulars now 'online' The SecQual circualrs can now be read online, without having to download a separate document. In addition, thos who wish to, like classroom teachers, can subscribe to receive their own email advice of the publication of new circulars. More ...	February 2009
New Deputy Chief Executive Tim Fowler has joined NZQA as Deputy Chief Executive and head of the Quality Assurance Division. He has had a career in the higher education and international business sectors in both Australia and New Zealand. More ...	February 2009
A Diploma Supplement for New Zealand? The Ministry of Education and NZQA have a responsibility under the Lisbon Convention to promote the use of a Diploma Supplement, or an equivalent, by tertiary education organisations. We need your feedback. More ...	February 2009
Two new reports on the quality assurance aspects of the Tertiary Reforms A new report from the Quality Assurance Expert Advisory Group, and an independent report on NZQA's 2008 trial of the evaluative approach to quality assurance, are now available. More ...	January 2009
2009 Exam Timetable The 2009 Exam Timetable for NCEA and Scholarship is now available. Schools should consult it when confirming student courses. Students and their families should check it before confirming travel plans for the end of the year. More ...	January 2009
NCEA Results The nervous wait for NCEA exam results is almost over for the almost 140,000 candidates who sat exams at the end of 2008, with results notices due to be delivered from tomorrow (15 January). More...	January 2009
Minister releases NZQA's Briefing The Education Minister Anne Tolley has released the Briefing to the Incoming Minister (BIM) from NZQA and other education agencies. More ...	December 2008
Exam focus moves to marking The 2008 examination focus has turned to marking nearly 1.9 million answer booklets covering 322 NCEA standards and 28 Scholarship subjects. Examinations ended on Wednesday (3 December). More ...	December 2008
Examination Update With four days of NCEA and NZ Scholarship examinations remaining (from tomorrow) more than 230 NCEA standards and 18 Scholarship subjects have been sat in more than 80 examination sessions. More ...	November 2008
New Unit Standard Checklist During 2008 Framework Registration (FR) trialled a number of initiatives to improve quality assurance processes. Documentation related to unit standard applications was identified as requiring improvement. More ...	December 2008
Tertiary Reforms consultation underway Changes to the regulatory system require the involvement of tertiary education organisations (TEOs) in self-assessment and external evaluation and review. NZQA is consulting with the sector on the policy requirements for self-assessment and external evaluation and review. More ...	November 2008
Exam Papers published In an innovative move, NZQA is publishing NCEA and Scholarship exams the days after the papers have been sat by students. In previous years, the papers were all published in a batch early in the following year. See the Scholarship papers. To find NCEA exams papers, type the subject name into the Search box on this page.	November 2008
Examination Update - 21 November The first week of NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams has covered 132 NCEA standards and nine Scholarship subjects, sat in more than 40 examination sessions. More ...	November 2008
Examination Update Two errors in examination questions have been identified among the 43 examination papers sat to date (up to and including Tuesday morning, 18 November). Candidates' results will not be affected by the errors, which will be taken into account during marking. More ...	November 2008
Tertiary Moderation Manual updated Tertiary Education Organisations assessing against unit standards must carry out internal moderation and engage with the external moderation that applies. NZQA has published information for TEOs which are assessing learners using unit standards moderated by NZQA. More ...	November 2008
139,000 prepare for examinations Last-minute study is underway for more than 139,000 senior secondary school students preparing for NCEA and NZ Scholarship examinations, starting on Saturday (November 15). Assessment of Visual Arts, Graphics and Technology portfolios is already underway. More ...	November 2008
NCEA & Scholarship information sheet The final instructions for NCEA & Scholarship exam candidates has been published. It is distributed to candidates through their schools, but is also available online. It covers how to get an admission slip, what to take to exams , the exam rules, what to remember on the day of the exam, guidance on writing answers, and when Compassionate considerations apply. It also explains when results will be available. More ...	October 2008
Further updates to NCEA subject-specific pages A number of additional resources have been added to the pages for Agricultural & Horticultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, Music, Physics, and Visual Arts, amongst others. More ...	October 2008
Scholarship exemplars A number of annotated student scripts have been added to the Scholarship pages, to assist this year's candidates prepare for the exam. More ...	October 2008
Help for exam candidates NZQA has a lot information of help to students preparing for November's external exams. Study tips, hints, shortcuts to past exam papers, the exam timetable, links to other study sites, and information relating addressing a number of "What do I do if ..." questions. More ...	October 2008
Changes to New Zealand Scholarship subject list for 2009 Top secondary students of Agricultural and Horticultural Science will be able to tackle NZ Scholarship exams from next year (2009). Also from 2009, Scholarship Visual Arts will be assessed as five separate subjects: Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture. More ...	October 2008
More subject-specific pages added The Easy-finder for NCEA resources continues to expand. We have added new links to existing pages, and new subject-pages. A growing number of subjects now have Clarifications documents or Moderator Newsletters. More ...	September 2008
QAD Conferences - what did you think? The NZQA Quality Assurance Conferences 2008 were held recently in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland. We want to know what you thought of them. More ...	September 2008
QA News # 61 Brunei Visit; NZQA welcomes new board member; Standards Review underway; Learning from Maori and Pasifika PTE research; Students motivated by certificate endorsement; End-of-year surveys; Moving towards self-assessment; Dr Monte Ohia; Bright SPARQ. More ...	September 2008
New Zealand Diploma in Business results data Data for 2007 have been added. Data available now covers the period 2003 to 2007, and is available by prescription by provider type; by grade and by prescription; Count of students by prescription, number of prescriptions, gender, ethnicity and age. More ...	September 2008

Page updated: 11 November 2009