To:
- Principal
- Principal's Nominee
- All Teachers
Updates to 2024 Assessment Specifications for NCEA
Assessment specifications provide the annual assessment parameters for each externally assessed achievement standard and New Zealand Scholarship performance standard. They must be read alongside the applicable standards.
The assessment specifications for subjects externally assessed by examinations include the:
- method of the assessment
- equipment candidates can bring and use
- context for questions, where appropriate.
For the submitted portfolios or reports, they include the:
- format of the assessment
- portfolio/report specifications, including the type and volume of materials that may be submitted as evidence.
Portfolio submission instructions and authenticity requirements will be provided at the start of Term 3.
Level 1
2024 is the first year of implementation of the new Level 1 achievement standards.
The majority of the Level 1 assessment specifications have been updated since they were published in December 2023. Those subjects, and externally assessed standards that have been updated, are found in the table below:
|
Subject |
Standard/s |
|
Agricultural and Horticultural Science |
91930, 91931 |
|
Chemistry and Biology |
92022, 92023 |
|
Chinese (Mandarin) |
91954, 91955 |
|
Commerce |
92030, 92031 |
|
Dance |
91938 |
|
Digital Technologies |
92006, 92007 |
|
Drama |
91942, 91943 |
|
English |
91926, 91927 |
|
French |
91966, 91967 |
|
Gagana Sāmoa |
92034, 92035 |
|
Gagana Tokelau |
92349, 92350 |
|
Geography |
91934, 91935 |
|
German |
91970, 91971 |
|
Hangarau |
92054, 92055 |
|
Hauora |
92058, 92059 |
|
Health Studies |
92010, 92011 |
|
History |
92026, 92027 |
|
Japanese |
91958, 91959 |
|
Korean |
91962, 91963 |
|
Lea Faka-Tonga |
92038, 92039 |
|
Materials and Processing Technology |
92014, 92015 |
|
Mathematics and Statistics |
91946 |
|
Music |
91951 |
|
Ngā Mahi a te Rēhia |
92063, 92064 |
|
Pāngarau |
92067, 92068 |
|
Physical Education |
92019, 92018 |
|
Physics, Earth and Space Science |
92046, 92047 |
|
Pūtaiao |
92071, 92072 |
|
Science |
91922, 91923 |
|
Social Studies |
92051, 92050 |
|
Spanish |
91974, 91975 |
|
Te Reo Māori |
92094, 92095 |
|
Te Reo Māori Kūki ʻĀirani |
92042, 92043 |
|
Te Reo Rangatira |
92075, 92076 |
|
Tikanga ā-Iwi |
92080, 92081 |
|
Toi Ataata |
92085, 92086 |
|
Toi Pūoro |
92090, 92091 |
|
Vagahau Niue |
92353, 92354 |
|
Visual Arts |
91914, 91915 |
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Three standards (Music 91950, Dance 91939 and Mathematics and Statistics 91947) were considered for review as part of the Ministry of Education’s regular review process, with changes made to the Music and Dance standards. The assessment specifications for these three standards will be updated and published by 28 March.
Level 2 and 3
Some Level 2 and Level 3 assessment specifications have been updated to provide further clarification of the requirements and conditions of the assessment. The subjects and levels where this has occurred are:
|
Subject |
||
|
Chinese (Mandarin) |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Cook Islands Māori |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Digital Technologies |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
French |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
German |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
History |
Level 2 |
|
|
Japanese |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Korean |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Lea Faka-Tonga |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Physics |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Samoan |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Spanish |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Te Reo Māori |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
|
Te Reo Rangatira |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
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Assessment types
The following external assessment methods will be in use for 2024. These are indicated in the assessment specifications and defined below.
Examination
A point-in-time assessment that is scheduled during the end-of-year examination period. An examination includes a set of unseen questions or activities that the candidate provides answers to, and which can include short answer, extended prose, or an essay. The candidate is supervised by NZQA in an examination centre.
Submitted portfolio
A portfolio is the presentation of work collected over time. Work is created and selected by the candidate throughout the year to demonstrate work that best fits the requirements of the standard. The due date for all submissions is 30 October with the exception of Level 1, 3 and NZ Scholarship Visual Arts.
Kete Manarua
Kete Manarua is a collection of student evidence that has been prepared for digital submission and is required to achieve the achievement standard. Kete Manarua supports the gathering of evidence in naturally occurring assessment settings throughout the year. The due date for submission of all Kete Manarua is 30 October.
Submitted report
A report is a structured response to a particular topic that draws on, and often draws together, different elements of learning. A report can be produced in response to a familiar or unfamiliar topic. Materials and tasks will be made available to schools at the start of term 3. Candidates should undertake the report across several sessions. The due date for the submission of the report is 30 October.
Performance
A performance is a digital recording of a performance piece that is prepared and performed by the candidate. The due date for the submission of the performance is 30 October.
Common Assessment Activity
A common assessment activity (CAA) is developed and marked by NZQA and administered by a school in a single session during a period of assessment specified by NZQA. The assessment tasks will be made available to schools.
Tūmahi Aromatawai Pātahi
Tūmahi Aromatawai Pātahi (TAPā) is an assessment similar to a Common Assessment Activity. TAPā are conducted digitally via Assessment Master and are supervised and administered by kura. The assessment is conducted in a single session during a period of assessment specified by NZQA. Kura and kaiako can design independent plans and schedules within the specified assessment period.
Most Assessment Specifications for 2024 were initially published in December 2023 on the NZQA website.
Assessment Specifications for the co-requisite Literacy, Numeracy, Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau assessments are being published the week of the 25 March.
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