How do I get these qualifications?
NCEA level 1
When you have achieved 80 credits at level 1 or higher, you have gained NCEA level 1. Eight of these credits must be from numeracy standards and eight credits from literacy standards. Literacy can be assessed in English or in te reo Māori. Your teachers can tell you which standards provide the required numeracy and literacy credits.
NCEA level 2
NCEA level 2 requires a minimum of 60 credits at level 2 or above and 20 credits at any other level. Credits can be used for more than one qualification; so some of your NCEA level 1 credits can count towards NCEA level 2. At level 2 there are no specific literacy or numeracy requirements.
NCEA level 3
For NCEA level 3 you will need to achieve 80 credits, of which 60 must be at level 3 or above and 20 at level 2 or above.
Rewarding achievement
This assessment system encourages all students to achieve to their potential.
You can now gain NCEA certificates with merit or excellence. If you get 50 or more of the required 80 credits at excellence level, you will earn an NCEA with excellence. If you get 50 or more credits at merit level (or a mix of merit and excellence), you will earn an NCEA with merit.
Excellence criteria are demanding and students who achieve with excellence for all or most of their standards will demonstrate higher-level thinking skills.