Qualifications in the Senior School

Qualifications in the Senior School

The National Qualifications Framework, NQF

The National Qualifications Framework, NQF, includes a number of National Certificates including NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3.  The NQF uses standards to show what students know and can do.  Qualifications are gained by building up credits awarded for each standard you achieve.

Standards are organised into ‘levels’ of increasing difficulty. Some are assessed internally by your teachers and some externally in end-of-year exams. There are two types of standards – unit standards and achievement standards.  Both are used in programmes taught in schools.  For achievement standards you can be awarded ‘achieved’, ‘merit’ or ‘excellence’ or ‘not achieved’.  For unit standards you get either ‘achieved’ or ‘not achieved’.

Each standard is worth a set number of credits.  When you achieve a standard, these credits count towards a qualification.

NCEA, National Certificate of Educational Achievement - Levels 1, 2 and 3

NCEA is the national school qualification typically assessed in Years 11 to 13.  NCEA incorporates just three of the many qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

You may be able to start studying towards other National Certificates (e.g. computing, electro-technology, tourism, employment skills) while still at school.  You can see what is available, and the standards on which they are based on the NZQA website (www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework).

NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3 Requirements

Level 1:    80 credits from any level, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits.

Level 2:   60 credits from Level 2 standards or higher.  The NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy 20-credit co-requisite requirement MUST be met to achieve the Level 2 NCEA qualification.  If you wish to go to University see the University Entrance page for UE Literacy requirements.

Level 3:    60 credits from Level 3 standards or higher. The NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy 20-credit co-requisite requirement MUST be met to achieve the Level 3 NCEA qualification.

    N.B.     

• There are both literacy and numeracy requirements for the Common Entrance Standard for admission to New Zealand universities.

Rewarding Achievement/Endorsements

Achievement Standards do not just set out expectations for achieving the standard.  They also recognise performance that meets ‘Merit’ or ‘Excellence’ criteria.  You can gain NCEA certificates endorsed with Merit or Excellence.  If you get a minimum of 50 credits at Excellence level you will earn an NCEA Certificate endorsed with Excellence.  If you get a minimum of 50 credits at Merit level you will earn an NCEA Certificate endorsed with Merit.  (If you get 50 credits with a mix of Merit and Excellence you will earn an NCEA Certificate endorsed with Merit.) 

You can obtain a course endorsement with Merit or Excellence in individual subjects.  In order to gain a course endorsement, you will require at least 14 credits at Merit or Excellence level within that subject.  These credits must include a minimum of 3 credits from internally assessed standards and 3 credits from externally assessed standards.  The only courses exempted from these requirements are Levels 1-3 Physical Education and Level 3 Visual Arts.

For a subject endorsement, the credits must be earned in a single school year.

NZQA Liaison Teacher

Ms K Smith is the NZQA liaison teacher (i.e. the Principal's Nominee) for our school.  If you have any questions about national qualifications, or would like more details, please contact her. [email protected]

Scholarship

Full-time secondary school students have the opportunity to enter a New Zealand Scholarship exam.  A Scholarship is not a qualification, but is an award to recognise excellence.  Although a Scholarship does not earn credits, the results are recorded on the student’s Record of Achievement.

A New Zealand Scholarship is designed to challenge the best secondary students and to identify and acknowledge the top scholars.  Students will be able to enter one or more scholarship subjects as well as their Level 3 assessments.

Usually the best 2-3% of students in each subject will be awarded a Scholarship.

Note: In order to gain the monetary reward that goes with these awards, students must be permanent residents of New Zealand.

New Zealand Scholarship Subjects at Glenfield College

The list of subjects for New Zealand Scholarship includes the following subjects available at Level 3 at Glenfield College.

NZQA Website

It is essential that all students make themselves familiar with the NZQA website (www.nzqa.govt.nz).  This gives them access to an immense amount of information allowing students to check exam results, specifications, rules and procedures.  This also includes approved subject lists and literacy requirements for university entrance and scholarship, etc.