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Managing the pressure of exam results
After finishing exams it’s completely normal to feel nervous about your results.
Try not to dwell on your exams once they are finished – instead, make time to relax and have fun. Reward yourself for your hard work and try not to over-analyse your responses.
The spread of COVID-19 and winter illnesses brought extra challenges in 2022, and there are a range of steps in place to help you stay on track to further study or work.
Once you’ve received your results, even if they aren’t quite what you were hoping for, there are several things you can do.
If you need 12 credits or fewer to attain NCEA or be awarded University Entrance, you may be able to study for free at Te Kura’s Summer School over the summer break. Summer school and short courses may also be available if you missed a specific standard you needed. Talk to your school or Te Kura, or contact us on 0800 697 296. There is also helpful information on the Careers website.
If you want to apply for further study or training, you can talk to tertiary education providers – many offer ways to achieve the standards you require; or can suggest ways to make your application stand out.
If you do need to come back to school in 2023 to complete your NCEA or get UE before moving into work or study, NZQA can work with your school to award your qualification earlier in the year.
There is also information available on the Careers website about what you can do, along with advice for parents on how they can support you.
If you’re worried about the cost of study or training, remember you could be eligible to receive one year’s study or two years training Fees Free.
After viewing your assessed NCEA or Scholarship exams and portfolios, if you feel that any of your answer booklets have not been marked correctly or the results recorded accurately, you can also request a review or reconsideration.
You can find out more about reviews and reconsiderations here.
If you're looking at what subjects to take next year, you may be interested in the information about subject choices on the Careers website.
Above all, remember that there are different paths to where you want to go, and it can always be helpful to talk to someone at your school or a family member.
Where to find support:
If you do need someone to talk to, you might want to start with your school, or here are some other options:
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666