Breaches of examination rules

NZQA regards any allegations of breaches to external assessment seriously, including examinations and portfolio submissions.  NZQA may undertake an investigation into any report of dishonest practice, concerns of authenticity, influencing, assisting, or hindering another candidate, and failure to follow instructions.

If NZQA receives a report of a possible breach of external assessment conditions, NZQA requests a written response from the person or persons involved.  Upon receiving a response, NZQA may make a decision or request to meet with the person(s) for further clarification.  NZQA may also consult with external contractors in the decision-making process.

Decisions include taking no further action or imposing a penalty such as having examination results withheld. Information on the rules and procedures about breaches for external assessment is available.

External assessment conditions

Candidates receive a Candidate Information Sheet outlining National School Examinations Rules and Instructions for candidates.  Exam supervisors also remind candidates of these at the start of each examination.  A list of banned items is available.  

Examples of common breaches include having personal A4 paper in the examination room, using notes, discussing an examination before it finishes, or having or using a cellular phone during examinations. 

For the Mathematics common assessment task (CAT), investigation of possible breaches of authenticity is the responsibility of NZQA. Schools use their own policy and process to investigate any other possible breach of assessment conditions in this examination.

Reporting a breach

Candidates
If you are a candidate who has witnessed a possible breach, please contact your exam supervisor, Exam Centre Manager, or Principal's Nominee.  If the examination has already finished, you can still contact your Principal's Nominee.

Schools
Schools can report possible breaches in external standards for Visuals Arts and the Mathematics CAT. For Visuals Arts complete the form VArt- breaches-report-form-written-submissions.doc and place a copy signed by the author and Principal’s Nominee, along with the candidates work and any additional materials into the courier package with the portfolio submissions.

For the Mathematics CAT complete the form MCAT- breaches-report-form-written-submissions.doc and place a copy signed by the author and Principal’s Nominee, along with the candidates answer booklet and any additional materials into the yellow courier envelope with the verification samples.

Exam Centre Managers and Supervisors report an alleged breach to NZQA by completing and emailing the electronic breach form (DOC, 115KB) to breaches@nzqa.govt.nz or completing the written breach report form and scanning and emailing it to breaches@nzqa.govt.nz.  Note that a hand-signed copy must also be posted to

Breaches
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140

Markers report a possible breach to at NZQA by completing the marker breach form and sending a signed copy along with any examination booklet/s to the:

Subject NAF
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
PO Box 160
Wellington 6140.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to breaches to Email: breaches@nzqa.govt.nz or Fax:04 463 3397