Managing National Assessment reviews

How we review secondary schools' assessment systems and the evidence we look for

How we review assessment systems

We review secondary schools' assessment systems at least once every 4 years. We do this to:

  • make sure that assessment is valid, fair, consistent, reliable, accurate and to the national standard
  • make sure assessment is in accordance with the Assessment Rules
  • confirm that schools are maintaining the requirements for consent to assess.

Managing National Assessment (MNA) reviews are a partnership between schools and NZQA.

Reviews looks for evidence to answer the question:

How effectively does your school ensure the credibility of assessment for national qualifications?

More information

NZQA Assessment Rules 2024

Consent to assess for secondary schools

Key aspects of an MNA review [PDF, 212 KB]

The evidence we look for

We look for evidence in four areas of school practice:

  • moderation
  • assessment practice
  • data
  • communication.

This evidence includes

  • a school's self-evaluation
  • a school’s documentation on assessment policy and procedures
  • interviews with school managers, teachers and students
  • data and statistics
  • audits of a school’s systems for special assessment conditions, derived grades and examination centre management.

Schools prepare for an MNA review and provide some evidence to NZQA before a review visit.

After an MNA review visit, we write a report. When a report is finalised, we publish it online. If a report finds any significant issues, we work in partnership with the school to prepare an action plan and resolve the issues.

More information

Preparing for an MNA review

Find an MNA report (external link)

Get more information or give us feedback