Earning and using Learning Recognition Credits in 2022

Information about earning and using Learning Recognition Credits for students impacted by COVID-19 in 2022

Everyone working towards NCEA this year will have had their learning and assessment programme affected by COVID-19.

To recognise this impact of this disruption, some changes have been made to NCEA and University Entrance for 2022.

One of these changes means you will earn Learning Recognition Credits, based on the number of credits you achieve through internal and external assessment.

COVID-19 related changes to NCEA and University Entrance

What are Learning Recognition Credits?

For every 5 credits you achieve, you will earn 1 additional Learning Recognition Credit – up to a maximum of:

  • 10 Learning Recognition credits at NCEA Level 1 or
  • 8 Learning Recognition Credits at NCEA Levels 2 or 3.

NZQA will automatically calculate your Learning Recognition Credits in January 2023, when your exam and internal assessment results are known.

Learning Recognition Credits count towards the same level of NCEA as the credits they are earned from – for example, if you achieve 5 credits at NCEA Level 2, the Learning Recognition Credit you earn will also be at Level 2.

You will be able to see the Learning Recognition Credits you have earned through your Learner Login once NCEA results are released.

Until then, you can speak with your school about how many credits you have, and how many more you need to get your NCEA.

Earning credits through LRCs

The total number of credits required to receive an NCEA is unchanged, however you have the opportunity to earn credits through Learning Recognition Credits.

To get the maximum number of 10 Learning Recognition Credits towards NCEA Level 1, you will need to achieve at least 50 credits this year.

To get the maximum number of 8 Learning Recognition Credits towards NCEA Level 2 or Level 3, you will need to achieve at least 40 credits this year at the level of NCEA you’re aiming for in 2022.

You will still need to ensure you reach the total credit requirements for NCEA, and meet the literacy and numeracy requirements.

Find out more about NCEA levels and certificates

If you don’t have enough credits

If you don’t have enough credits from a single level to earn a whole Learning Recognition Credit, they can contribute towards a Learning Recognition Credit at a lower level.

For example:

  • If you have achieved 3 credits at Level 3 and 2 credits at Level 2, you have earned 1 Learning Recognition Credit at Level 2.
  • If you have achieved 13 credits at Level 3 and 2 credits at Level 2, you have earned 2 Learning Recognition Credits at Level 3 and 1 Learning Recognition Credit at Level 2.
  • If you have achieved 3 credits at Level 3 and 12 credits at Level 2, you have earned 3 Learning Recognition Credits at Level 2.

If you've earned LRCs for a higher level than your current study

If you have earned Learning Recognition Credits for a higher level of NCEA than you are studying towards this year, NZQA will count them towards the higher level of NCEA in the future, as well as your NCEA this year.

For example, if you’re studying for NCEA Level 1 this year but also achieve 5 credits at Level 2 (and have therefore earned 1 Learning Recognition Credit at Level 2), NZQA will count all 6 Level 2 credits towards your NCEA Level 1, and all 6 will count again towards Level 2 next year.

If you don’t get enough credits to achieve NCEA

If you don’t receive enough credits to attain an NCEA in 2022, all your credits (including your Learning Recognition Credits) will be able to be used towards the same level of NCEA in future.

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