NCEA Exams – Helpful Reminders for Students
Published 17 October 2025
NCEA Exams starting on Tuesday 4 November, below are helpful reminders for students:
- Exam timetable & start times – You can view the timetable by clicking here. Students need to be ready at their exam venues at least 15 minutes before your exam starts. Please note that NCEA exams are not impacted by proposed PPTA strike action.
- Exam venues – Exam locations will be posted at Reception and V9 (Examination Centre Manager’s (ECM) Office).
- Admission slips – No admission slip, no entry! If you don’t have your admission slip or have misplaced it, visit the Student Reception as soon as possible to get a new one reprinted.
- Need a device for a digital exam? Please email Katie Long (Head of Learning Area – Technology/ Principal’s Nominee NZQA) at Katie.long@hvhs.school.nz with the exam, date and time you need a device for.
- What you can/can’t bring to NCEA exams – You can bring a clear drink bottle, and blue and black pens. You are not allowed to bring phones, watches, calculator covers, or your own paper.
- Reminders for numeracy exams – Students are required to bring a ruler and a calculator. If a student needs to borrow a calculator, please see the Maths Learning Area for assistance. Any calculator on NZQA’s Approved Calculator List may be used.
- myNZQA Account – If your exam involves using a device, ensure you’ve logged into your myNZQA account ahead of time to ensure your device is working correctly (if needed).
- Reminders for digital exams – Students need to turn off screen savers, update notifications, pop-ups and VPN and if there not sure if your device passes the NZQA Digital Device Check – click here for more information.
- Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) – For students with special assessment conditions please follow the instructions sent from the Learning Support team, and ensure you have joined the 2025-SAC Google Classroom.
For any unexpected events that disrupt your ability to take an exam or that have impacted your exam performance, e.g. illness or emergency, please email Katie Long at Katie.long@hvhs.school.nz as soon as possible to start the Derived Grade Exams process.
For any other questions, please email Katie Long (Principal’s Nominee NZQA) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz.
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
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 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.
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.