Achieving NCEA – Key Information
To attain any National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at any level, students need to have attained the Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites, and 60 credits at Level 1 or above.
Year 10 – Students are offered their first opportunity to attain the Numeracy and Literacy co-requisites via online tests run at school.
Year 11 – Students will be offered a number of Achievement Standards that support an alternative pathway to achieving the Literacy and Numeracy co-requisite requirements. We offer a mixture of school based assessments and at least one NCEA standard per course to transition students into the demands of NCEA. Once students have attained 60 Level 1 and 2 credits in years 11 and 12, they can be awarded the Level 1 certificate.
Year 12 – Students start working with a full NCEA programme. Students should select courses that support University Entrance literacy credits. For Level 2 certificate, they need to achieve at least 60 credits from their 5 subject choices. Students should aim for at least 14 credits in each course as a pass mark.
Year 13 – Students working towards University Entry as the ultimate certificate need to have 60 Level 3 credits, including 14 credits in at least 3 University Approved subject areas, and University Entrance literacy and Level 1 Numeracy (the co-requisite). Note that Auckland University have required 18 credits from Level 2 or 3 English standards in addition to this.
Derived Grades
A student may be awarded a derived grade when they can’t attend an examination or external assessment, or their performance is impaired.
Derived grades are based on authentic, standard-specific evidence. This means evidence such as a student’s performance in a formal practice assessment at school e.g. the HVHS derived grade school exams that run from the start of Term 4.
To complete the derived grade application process, please email Katie Long (NZQA Principal’s Nominee) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz. The school will lodge the completed application on behalf of the student.
Checking Your Student’s Device is Compliant for NCEA Exams
It is important that students’ devices that they use during NCEA exams meet the New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s standards, to check a student’s device is compliant, click here
If your student needs device support to help set up their device for an NCEA exam or to request to loan a Chromebook, please email the student’s Dean or Katie Long (NZQA Principal’s Nominee) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz
NCEA Booklet for HVHS Families
This booklet is designed for families to ensure that everyone understands what is required of students throughout the senior years regardless of which certificates they are studying for.
Download the HVHS 2025-2026 NCEA Booklet for Families
The booklet covers information on gaining a Level 2 or 3 NCEA Certificate, NCEA internal and external assessment, endorsement of NCEA Certificates, NCEA course (subject) endorsements, NCEA internal standards, NCEA moderation of internal assessments, entrance to subjects at the next level, University Entrance, New Zealand Scholarship exams, awards and grant, reporting of progress and results and NCEA exams and paperwork.
Requesting an Extension for an NCEA Internal Assessment
To request an extension, complete the form below, attach any required documentation (e.g. medical certificate or letter), and hand it in to the School Office or submit it directly to your subject teacher. You may also email your request and supporting documents to your subject teacher.
Requests for extension must be made at least two days before the assessment due date. If no request is received, a Not Achieved grade may be awarded.
Download the NCEA Extension Request Form
Studying NCEA at HVHS
In 2020, the government announced a series of changes to the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). This included strengthening literacy and numeracy requirements, updating NCEA Assessment Standards, simplifying the structure of NCEA and making the Level 1 qualification at Year 11 optional.
In 2024, HVHS reduced the number of NCEA Level 1 assessments for students in Year 11 from up to six per subject down to one. This reduction in NCEA assessments was to ensure more curriculum content is covered and skills development is achieved during the year. By completing one NCEA Achievement Standard per subject students are able to experience NCEA assessment at tolerable stress levels and be better prepared for NCEA Levels 2 & 3 and New Zealand Scholarship.
Alongside the one NCEA standard per subject, there is a variety of rigorous assessments. Subjects that are mainly written will have tests, assignments and examinations. Practical subjects, including The Arts, Physical Education and Technology, will use project work and portfolios in addition to tests and examinations.
NCEA Reporting Progress
Parents and caregivers receive timely and specific feedback on their child’s learning and progress. Parent/Teacher Interviews for Years 11-13 are held in Term 2 each year to discuss students’ progress in each subject. These interviews replace Mentor Teacher meetings in Years 11-13.
Additional Support, Special Programmes and Accelerated Learning
Targeted programmes will be provided for students who rely on NCEA Level 1 as a qualification. Some students may achieve NCEA Level 1 in Years 12 or 13, depending on their individual circumstances. Furthermore, we will continue to offer Industry Training Organisation (ITOs) and work-based training qualifications to Year 11 and 12 students. Students who excel beyond the New Zealand Curriculum expectations for Year 11 may also be eligible for entry to a Year 12 class and NCEA Level 2 Standards.