2026 End of Year Exam Timetable
The 2026 End of Year Examination Timetable for NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship will run from Tuesday 10 November until Friday 4 December 2026. To view the timetable click here
Applying for a Derived Grade
If an unexpected event (such as illness or an emergency) disrupts a student’s ability to take an exam, impacts their exam performance or if an exam is missed, please email Katie Long (Principal’s Nominee NZQA) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz as soon as possible to start the process of applying for a derived grade.
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 evidence is gathered from a student’s performance in formal practice assessments at school, such as the HVHS derived grade school exams held at the start of Term 4.
Helpful Reminders – NCEA Exams
End of year exams for NCEA and NZ Scholarship subjects run from Tuesday, 10 November until Friday, 4 December 2026. Please find below helpful reminders for students sitting these exams.
Schedule & Attendance
- Dates: Exams run from Tuesday, 10 November until Friday, 4 December 2026. To view the exam timetable please click here
- Venues: Room allocations will be posted daily at reception and at various other key places around school.
- Timings: Morning exams start at 9:30am and afternoon exams at 2:00pm. Please arrive 20 minutes before the exam starts.
- Daily Routines: Senior students in Years 11-13 are on study leave when they don’t have an exam. Year 10 students will attend regular classes unless they are sitting an exam.
- For Students with Special Assessment Conditions (SAC): Please follow the instructions that will be sent from the Learning Support team. If applicable, students to go to V5 to meet their Reader/Writers.
Exam Requirements & Equipment
- Admission slips: No admission slip, no entry! If students don’t have an admission slip or have misplaced it, they should visit the Student Reception as soon as possible to get a new one reprinted. These will be issued to students in Week 3.
- What you can/can’t bring: Students can bring a clear drink bottle, and blue and black pens. They are not allowed to bring phones, watches, calculator covers, or their your own paper.
- Non-uniform is allowed for students during their NCEA exams.
- If a student needs to borrow a device to sit their exam, please use this request form as soon as possible by clicking here
- 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).
- Digital Exams: Students must download Chrome browser to their Windows, Chromebook or Mac laptop prior to starting the exam, and bring a fully charged laptop.
- For Paper Exams: Students must use blue or black pens only.
- For Numeracy Exams: Students may also bring rulers and calculators (see the Maths Learning Area if they need one).
- For Language Exams: Students must also bring headphones.
If an unexpected event (such as illness or an emergency) disrupts a student’s ability to take an exam, impacts their exam performance or if an exam is missed, please email Katie Long (Principal’s Nominee NZQA) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz as soon as possible to start the process of applying for a derived grade.
NCEA Booklet for HVHS Families
This booklet is designed for families to ensure that everyone understands the requirements of NCEA and what is required of students throughout their senior years, regardless of which certificates they are studying for.
Download the HVHS NCEA Booklet for Families
Achieving NCEA
To attain any National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at any level, students must achieve 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 held 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 provide 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 or above, they can be awarded the Level 1 certificate.
Year 12 – Students start working on a full NCEA programme. Students should select courses that support University Entrance literacy credits. To gain the Level 2 certificate, students need to achieve at least 60 credits or above, from their five subject choices. We recommend students aim for at least 14 credits in each course to ensure a pass mark.
Year 13 – Students working towards University Entrance need 60 credits at Level 3, including 14 credits in at least 3 University Approved subjects. They must also have University Entrance literacy and Level 1 Numeracy (the co-requisite). Note that Auckland University currently requires 18 credits in English from Level 2 or 3 English standards in addition to the standard University Entrance requirements.
New Zealand Scholarship
In addition to NCEA Levels 1-3, the National Qualifications Authority (NZQA) also offers students New Zealand Scholarship assessments. For information about entering for New Zealand Scholarship, monetary awards, and how New Zealand Scholarship works click here
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.
Download the NCEA Extension Request Form
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.
NCEA Digital Assessment Device Check
It is important that the devices students use during NCEA exams meet the New Zealand Qualifications Authority’s (NZQA) standards. To check a student’s device is compliant, click here
If your student needs help to setting up their device for an NCEA exam, or would like to request the loan of a Chromebook, please email the student’s Dean or Katie Long (NZQA Principal’s Nominee) at katie.long@hvhs.school.nz.
Additional Support, Special Programmes & 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.