To:
Principal
Principal's Nominee
All Mathematics teachers
Data Manager
This circular provides information on:
- when schools must hold the Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT)
- the process for nominating the day schools will assess the MCAT
- NZQA providing assessment booklets
- MCAT Administrative Guidelines for Schools.
On this page
Nominate only one MCAT assessment session
Schools can only hold the assessment on a single nominated day.
In 2023, this is either:
- Tuesday 12 September OR
- Thursday 14 September.
What schools need to do
Nominate the day you will hold the MCAT using the Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) Date Nominations section through the Key Indicators in your NZQA Schools’ Provider Login (secure website).
Complete the nomination before 1 August.
Submit a datafile with your MCAT entries by 1 August. We will supply the number of booklets you have requested based on this data file.
Request booklets in Te Reo Māori by setting the translated flag on the candidate’s entry in your data file and submit it to us by 1 August.
Delivery of assessment booklets and security
We will send printed assessment booklets to schools by 6 September 2023.
These will arrive in boxes addressed to the Principal’s Nominee and be marked “Private and Confidential”.
Principals’ Nominees should advise office staff to expect the arrival of the booklets and ensure that they are stored securely.
Accessing a printable electronic version of the assessment booklet
Schools can print additional copies of the assessment booklet, if required.
A password protected file will be available online through the NZQA School' Provider Login the day before your nominated assessment day.
Contact NZQA on 0800 222 230 for the password. Access will only be provided for your nominated assessment day.
Ensure all students sit the assessment on the same day.
Password requests to access the assessment on an alternative day will only be provided under exceptional circumstances and schools will need to complete an Alternative assessment day request form (available from the Mathematics and Statistics subject resources page in Term 3).
Mathematics and Statistics subject resources (external link)
Reminders for schools
If you have late entries, you should download and print extra copies of the assessment booklet.
You can use an assessment booklet on its intended day only. This means you cannot use the other day’s assessment as revision materials or practice assessments.
You must hold the MCAT for all your students on one day only, either:
12 OR 14 September.
You must provide students with only one opportunity to sit the MCAT.
If you do not inform NZQA of your nominated MCAT assessment day, or decide to change the day after 1 August, you will not receive printed assessment booklets and must download the booklet for the relevant day from the NZQA Schools’ Provider Login and print your own copies.
All students at your school must sit the MCAT on the same day. If a student cannot sit the MCAT on your nominated day, the school’s missed assessment policy applies.
MCAT Administrative Guidelines for School
Schools must be familiar with the requirements in these guidelines to ensure the integrity of the assessment.
These will be available in the Resources for externally assessed standards section of the NZQA Mathematics and Statistics subject resources page in Term 3.
Mathematics and Statistics subject resources (external link)
Enquiries
Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to your:
School Relationship Manager
School Quality Assurance and Liaison
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz