To:
- Principal
- Principal’s Nominee
- All Teachers
Assessment specifications for 2026 for externally assessed NCEA achievement standards and New Zealand Scholarship performance standards, based on the New Zealand Curriculum, are now available online.
Visit the following page to access these specifications:
On this page
Coming soon
Tautuhinga Aromatawai ā-waho (Assessment Specifications) for:
- Te Marautanga o Aotearoa wāhanga ako
- Kaupapa Ako Māori (NZ Curriculum) - Te Reo Māori and Te Ao Haka
- Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau
These assessment specifications will be available from 22 October 2025.
Additional information
Assessment specifications must be read together with the relevant achievement standards and scholarship performance standards.
New Zealand Scholarship subjects
For subjects externally assessed by examination, assessment specifications include:
- format of the paper
- equipment candidates can bring and use
- context for questions, where appropriate.
For digitally submitted, externally assessed subjects include, as appropriate:
- assessment method
- assessment format
- assessment medium
- submission date
- conditions of assessment
- submission requirements, including accepted file types and size.
Physical portfolios include:
- format and portfolio specifications
- type and volume of materials that may be submitted as evidence.
Physical portfolio submissions are permitted only for limited subjects and standards. Please refer to individual specifications for details.
Submission instructions (for digital and physical submissions) and authenticity requirements will be provided in Term 3, 2026.
Enquiries
Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to your School Relationship Manager.
School Relationship Manager
School Quality Assurance and Support
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz