Entry into NCEA

Information about NCEA for learners

When your school or kura first sends your entries to NZQA in March, you automatically become a candidate for NCEA. If you are interested in entering for New Zealand Scholarship, your school or kura can help you enrol in this as well.

Useful links

About NCEA

NCEA levels and certificates

National secondary examinations timetable

Entering NCEA and NZ Scholarship: A guide for students, caregivers and whānau 2024 [PDF, 219 KB]

Te whakauru i te NCEA me Te Hiranga o Aotearoa: He aratohu whakamārama mō te ākonga, ngā katiaki me te whānau 2024 [PDF, 283 KB]

Find out more about New Zealand Scholarship

NCEA Rules

When working towards NCEA you must obey all NCEA rules and procedures.

Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023

Special Assessment Conditions (SAC)

If you have sensory, physical, medical or learning difficulties, you may be able to get help to access assessments during the year. This help is called Special Assessment Conditions.

Your school or kura needs to apply to NZQA on your behalf to approve this help. If help has been approved, your school or kura will explain what this means for you. There is no cost to you for this.

Read more about Special Assessment Conditions 

Home-schooled students

A home-schooled student who wishes to enter for achievement or unit standards must establish a link with a registered school.

The Assessment (including Examination) Rules for Home-Schooled Students 2022 have been revoked and replaced by the Assessment Rules for schools and TEOs:

Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023

International students

International students resident in New Zealand can gain NCEA.

Find out more about coming to New Zealand for secondary school

Schools are responsible for paying NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship fees to NZQA for their international students. NZQA does not accept fee payments directly from international students.

Find out more about secondary education fees

NCEA results

Results of every standard you achieve will be recorded on your New Zealand Record of Achievement.

To view our download your New Zealand Record of Achievement you need to know your National Student Number (NSN).

Find out more about the NSN

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