Factsheet # 1: The development of NCEA

Introduction

National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) were introduced as New Zealand’s main secondary school qualifications between 2002 and 2004.They grew out of a long-term intention to establish standards for national qualifications and recognise a wider range of skills and knowledge. A new set of qualifications was needed to reflect the more flexible learning environments in our schools. 

NCEA was designed to challenge all students, including the most able and highly motivated. It was also designed to give schools the flexibility to develop a range of programmes to suit the specific needs of their students. 

NCEA has been reviewed and refined since its initial implementation in 2002. NCEA results now show a rich and accurate picture of a students’ skills and knowledge.

Transparency

In NCEA, New Zealand has one of the most open and transparent school qualifications systems in the world:

(View NCEA subject resource pages to access all internal and external resources for each subject).

The teaching experience

"NCEA is hugely challenging for students. To achieve Excellence is far more demanding than a high mark was in the previous exam system. But the good thing is NCEA is utterly transparent – everyone knows what you have to do to get good grades."

Julia Davidson,
Principal of Wellington Girls College and Chair of New Zealand Principals’ Council

"Less able students who would lack motivation if they were only assessed in a one off external exam, such as School Certificate, are engaged with NCEA as it provides opportunities to be assessed throughout the year."

Principal, Lincoln High School

"The NCEA has been designed as a unique New Zealand Qualification System which meets well the diverse learning needs of students. It is academically robust, internationally recognised and equips students for tertiary study and the world of work."

Patrick Walsh,
President of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ)