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Derived grades

NZQA approves entitlement to a derived grade to candidates sitting external assessment who meet the eligibility criteria.

Applications are made to NZQA by the school on behalf of a candidate following the submission of a completed application form by the candidate or candidate’s parent.

These guidelines do not represent further rules and procedures but aim to guide candidates and schools to make appropriate applications by:

clarifying the eligibility criteria and requirements for a derived grade
assisting schools and candidates to provide sufficient information when making applications

Information for candidates, parents and caregivers	Information for Schools and Principal’s Nominees
What is a derived grade? Illness, injuries or events considered Long-term illness, ongoing conditions or trauma Outbreak of notifiable diseases Making an application What evidence needs to be provided? Candidates selected for national representation Common questions on eligibility criteria Derived Grades for unexpected events 2022 Derived Grade application form (PDF, 344KB) 2022 National Representation pre-approval application form (PDF, 528KB) 2022 Derived Grade Application Form for NCEA Pilot External Assessment Activities (PDF, 368KB)	The derived grade process What can be applied for: Temporary illness, injury, trauma or serious event Significant conditions or events occurring after 1 October Portfolio subjects Outbreak of notifiable disease such as measles, mumps or whooping cough Injuries to arm or hand Long-term illness, ongoing conditions or trauma National Representation Selection The application process: Making a candidate application Evidence requirements Declined and appeal process Roles within the application process Derived grade quality assurance processes Derived Grades for unexpected events Guidelines to assist schools provide advice Security requirements

Information for candidates, parents and caregivers

Information for Schools and Principal’s Nominees

What is a derived grade?

Illness, injuries or events considered

Long-term illness, ongoing conditions or trauma

Outbreak of notifiable diseases

Making an application

What evidence needs to be provided?

Candidates selected for national representation

Common questions on eligibility criteria

Derived Grades for unexpected events

2022 Derived Grade application form (PDF, 344KB)

2022 National Representation pre-approval application form (PDF, 528KB)

2022 Derived Grade Application Form for NCEA Pilot External Assessment Activities (PDF, 368KB)

The derived grade process

What can be applied for:

Temporary illness, injury, trauma or serious event

Significant conditions or events occurring after 1 October

Portfolio subjects

Outbreak of notifiable disease such as measles, mumps or whooping cough

Injuries to arm or hand

Long-term illness, ongoing conditions or trauma

National Representation Selection

The application process:

Making a candidate application

Evidence requirements

Declined and appeal process

Roles within the application process

Derived grade quality assurance processes

Derived Grades for unexpected events

Guidelines to assist schools provide advice

Security requirements

Applications must be with the Principal’s Nominee as follows:

NCEA External Examinations (portfolio subjects, paper and digital) - before 12.00 midday on Tuesday 06 December 2022
Pre-approval for National Representation - before 04 November 2022
RAS Pilot Assessments -
- for assessments in Term 2 (02 May to 08 July) - applications close 15 July
- for assessments in Term 3
  - 25 July to 09 September - applications close 12 September
  - 13 September to 30 September - applications close 10 October
- for assessments in Term 4 (17 October to 2 December) - applications close 12.00 midday Tuesday 6 December

Providers and partners

Derived grades