Derived grades for an unexpected event (previously unexpected event grades)

A derived grade at scale applies when a single or series of events impact on multiple students’ attendance or completion of an examination or external assessment. NZQA’s Chief Executive (or their delegate) must approve the circumstances for a derived grade at scale.

The school will contact NZQA to request that a derived grade at scale situation be declared. Once it has been approved the school can apply for derived grades on behalf of affected candidates. Unlike a derived grade for an individual, there is no application form for each individual student to complete.

Derived grades at scale are available for NCEA external assessments only. They are not available for New Zealand Scholarship examinations, as Scholarship is a competitive award.

The school provides NZQA with evidence of the event and evaluation of the impact. This evidence can come from a range of sources, e.g.:

  • Examination Centre Manager
  • digital examination logs
  • Ministry of Education
  • Local Council
  • Civil Defence
  • New Zealand Police
  • the Media.
 
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