To:
- Principal
- Principal's Nominee
- All teachers
On this page
Changes to External Moderation
NZQA is building on the changes introduced over the last two years to the external moderation process1, to ensure schools are well supported with assessment as the new internally assessed achievement standards are implemented.
This circular outlines changes to external moderation requirements from 2024.
1See circulars A2022/18 (external link) and A2021/23 (external link) for more information about these changes.
Creation of moderation plan using information submitted through an Assessment Plan
During November 2023, schools will be required to complete an Assessment Plan in the External Moderation Application2. This will indicate which Level 1 internal standards they intend to assess in 2024, and an approximate submission date to NZQA, where this is available.
The Assessment Plan will be used to create a moderation plan which will include a Level 1 standard from each subject area the school intends to assess. Schools can continue to use the Assessment Plan to suggest standards they wish to be considered for external moderation at Levels 2 and 3.
Moderation plans will be published to schools by the end of February. As usual, schools can contact their School Relationship Manager to make changes to their plans where appropriate.
External moderation application
2See Guide to the NZQA External Moderation for Schools & TEOs [PDF, 17 MB] for details on how to complete an Assessment Plan.
Removal of moderation months and submission of moderation
As all schools will be submitting current work, schools will no longer have individual moderation submission months. Instead, schools should submit each selected standard once they have completed the assessment process (when internal moderation has been completed and results given to students for that standard).
- 20 October is the final date for submissions so moderation can be completed in time for schools to receive feedback before the following assessment year. Schools should contact their School Relationship Manager for standards where this final date may be an issue.
- Any Level 2 or 3 standards in a moderation plan should also be submitted as assessment is completed.
- Mātauranga Māori and Pacific knowledge subjects should also be submitted as assessment is completed, but they will continue to be moderated at a Kāhui or Fono.
Moderation outcomes
Schools will continue to receive individual moderation reports and be able to submit queries and appeals to clarify moderation outcomes. Similarly, an annual summary will still be sent to the Principal and Principal's Nominee at the completion of the moderation process.
Query or appeal a moderation report
An Annual Subject Report, which will include national moderator feedback, will be published in February.
Assessor Support
NZQA will be providing assessor support to align with the implementation of the new Level 1 standards. This includes:
- New Learning Area webcasts at the start of the year
- Implementation of the Assessor Practice Tool (to practice making assessment judgements)
- All current online workshops and learning modules (including over 150 online learning modules).
The full catalogue of Assessor Support can be found on the Assessor Support page.
Enquiries
Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to your School Relationship Manager.
School Relationship Manager
School Quality Assurance and Liaison
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz
Circulars are available from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website.