Managing national assessment in schools

Schools work in partnership with NZQA to manage assessment for national qualifications (MNA).

• Internally assessed standards are administered and assessed by schools with consent to assess standards. Information for schools is found in Managing internal assessment.
• Externally assessed standards may be assessed by examinations or portfolios.
• Examinations are run by NZQA and further information can be found in preparing for examinations.

Principal's Nominee

Schools nominate a Principal's Nominee to oversee the assessment processes. Aspects of the Principal's Nominee role may be delegated to other staff as appropriate. Resources that may assist PNs include:

• Action items for Principal's Nominees by calendar month
• Managing school data
• Preparing for examinations
• Managing exam clashes
• Derived grade process
• Special assessment conditions
• Gathering evidence of achievement
• Assessment opportunities in schools

MNA Review

NZQA reviews the assessment practices of secondary schools approximately every three years, to ensure that internal assessment is accurate, consistent and to the national standard. This is known as an MNA review.

More information can be found in the Assessment and Examination Rules and Procedures for Secondary Schools.