S2009/029 - 15 September 2009

Clarification for grading of "blank" answer booklets

This circular clarifies what constitutes a “blank” answer booklet. Previously, if a candidate wrote or drew in an examination answer booklet but this did not relate to the standard, it was graded as V (blank script). This created the potential for inconsistent interpretations by markers. This change is to make the situation clearer to markers, students and their teachers.

NCEA answer booklets graded by markers will have E (Achieved with Excellence), M (Achieved with Merit), A (Achieved), N (Not Achieved) or V (blank script) on the front cover.

Any writing inside the answer booklet may be seen as an attempt to answer and will generate a grade of N, A, M or E.

“Writing” includes any pen marks, pencil marks, lines or drawings.

“Inside” the answer booklet refers to all of the pages inside the covers.

Students should be advised that if they do not want their paper marked, then they should make sure that they do not write or draw on any part of the examination answer booklet.

Booklets graded V will show as SNA (Standard Not Attempted) on student result notification.

Enquiries

A PDF copy of this Circular is available for download.

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to:

To receive these circulars by email enter your email address below:

Previous circulars

• 028 - 8 September 2009 - Payment of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Fees for 2009
• 027 - 1 September 2009 - Suggested Times for 2009 NCEA and Scholarship Examination Papers
• 026 - 18 August 2009 - Clarification of use of the "V" grade code in data files
• 025 - 18 August 2009 - Examination Period for 2010
• 024 - 3 August 2009 - Change Proposal for 2009 Compassionate Consideration Process
• 023 - 10 July 2009 - Managing Examination Clashes
• 022 - 3 July 2009 - New Rules & Procedures for Further Assessment Opportunities
• 021 - 3 July 2009 - Format of 2009 examination papers
• 020 - 11 June 2009 - 2009 National School Qualifications - Examination Centre Manager Recruitment
• 019 - 5 June 2009 - Special Assessment Conditions
• 018 - 26 May 2009 - NCEA Brochures
• 017 - 8 May 2009 - Fees and Financial Assistance - 2009
• 016 - 8 May 2009 - Alignment of Standards with the NZ Curriculum - Update
• 015 - 1 May 2009 - Top Art folio exhibition - full venue listing
• 014 - 1 May 2009 - Assessment Reports for the 2008 NCEA and Scholarship Examinations
• 013 - 29 April 2009 - 2009 National School Qualifications: Candidate Information Sheets
• 012 - 24 April 2009 - Memorandum of Agreement and Rebates for National Qualifications
• 011 - 3 April 2009 - New Statistics Online for Schools
• 010 - 30 March 2009 - Top Art folio exhibition on tour
• 009 - 27 March 2009 - Update: Assessment Specifications for the External Assessment of Levels 1, 2 and 3 Achievement Standards and Scholarship for 2009
• 008 - 13 March 2009 - Draft Guidelines for Further Assessment Opportunities
• 007 - 13 February 2009 - Survey of Teachers - NCEA External Assessments 2008
• 006 - 30 January 2009 - Feedback on the 2009 Top Art Touring Schedule
• 005 - 30 January 2009 - Key Dates for National Secondary School Qualifications 2009
• 004 - 30 January 2009 - School Information Collection 2009
• 003 - 30 January 2009 - Circular Distribution: Proposal to discontinue hard copy distribution
• 002 - 16 January 2009 - 2008 National Qualifications Framework Results Release
• 001 - 9 January 2009 - 2009 Examination Timetable

archive of previous circulars