Nau mai, haere mai!
Welcome to the October 2022 newsletter EmaiLink 7.
On this page
Key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 Oct | Term 4 Begins DCAT Term 4 assessment period begins and runs until 28 October |
| 19 Oct | Candidate admission slips sent to schools |
| 20 Oct | MCAT Level 1, 91027 - Last day for entry of ALL provisional results and submissions sent for verification |
| 21 Oct | Hawke's Bay Anniversary |
| 24 Oct | Labour Day |
| 25 Oct | Confirm with NZQA three-way exam clash arrangements Examination Timetable Clashes (external link) |
| 26 Oct | Submission of Visual Arts Level 1 verification portfolios collected from schools by NZ Post
|
| 31 Oct | Marlborough Anniversary Final date for school payment of NCEA & NZ Scholarship fees for international fee-paying candidates |
| 1 Nov | Data file submission due, including:
|
| 2 Nov | Submission of candidate work and completed attendance rolls for the following external standards collected from schools:
Complete entry of ALL provisional results |
| 7 Nov | NCEA and NZ Scholarship examinations begin |
| 10 Nov | Check accuracy of internally assessed entries for 1 December file Visual Arts Level 3 and NZ Scholarship - Portfolio submission/collection for Level 3 and NZ Scholarship external standards |
| 11 Nov | Canterbury Anniversary (no exams scheduled for today) Visual Arts Level 1 - start entering final results |
| 14 Nov | MCAT Level 1, 91027 - start entering final results |
| 18 Nov | Visual Arts Level 2 - start entering final results |
| 28 Nov | Chatham Islands Anniversary (no exams scheduled for today) Westland Anniversary |
| 29 Nov | Visual Arts - Levels 1 and 2, last day for entry of all final results |
Preparing for external exams
Our web page Examination management talks about managing exams including briefing staff and students. You can also find several resource documents to assist with the smooth running of external exams.
Examination management (external link)
Complete SAC processes
Please ensure that all SAC processes are completed in preparation for the exams. Include your SENCO and ECM in any discussions.
Instructions on how to request Special Papers (i.e. PDFs of the exams), where these are needed, will be provided in the next SAC Update.
If you have any queries, please email sac@nzqa.govt.nz
Changing Exam Centre - Kura Tuākana and Kura Tēina guidelines
Information on the process required to initiate a change of exam centre for a student is available on our web page:
Request to change examination centre (external link)
See our Exam centre expectations document. It is a checklist of good practice for Kura Tuākana (schools that host students from another school for exams) and Kura Tēina (the school whose students sit exams at a different school).
The Principal’s Nominees from both schools should work together and use this as they plan for the exams.
Exam Admission Slips
These will be delivered to schools from Wednesday, 19 October. When you give them out, students should check them carefully and let you know immediately if there are any omissions, including digital entries.
Remind students that they must:
- avoid writing on or defacing these slips
- bring the sip to each exam
If a student loses their admission slip, they can reprint one using their Learner Login or the Principal’s Nominee can through the NZQA Provider Login under Reports/ Exam Reports. Principal’s Nominees must sign any reprinted slips.
Find out more in our Assessment Matters circular:
2022 Candidate Exams Admission Slip and Exams Information A2022/14
Exam Clashes
Check the information about managing clashes on our website. Principal’s Nominees should confirm arrangements to accommodate clashes by 25 October so that Examination Centre Managers can complete their planning. Any arrangements after 25 October should be discussed with your School Relationship Manager.
Examination Timetable Clashes (external link)
Student Authenticity
Teachers should remind students that exam answers must provide evidence of their own work. Reproducing published exemplars, in full or in part, from any source is a breach of the exam rules.
Use of calculators in exams
To see the list of approved calculators that can be used in exams, and in which exams they are permitted, go to our web page:
Approved Calculator List (external link)
Please note: the Texas Instrument TI-84+ has been removed from the Approved Calculator List for 2022 because additional subject-specific programmes can be installed on them.
Find out more about this in our Assessment Matters circular:
Information for Approved Calculator List 2022 A2022/13
Translated papers
Please check the Te Reo Translated Paper Requests on your Key Indicators matches your planned entries. If a request flag was ticked by mistake, the student will have a personalised paper in both the Te Reo Māori and English versions. Let the student know that they can just complete the English version.
In a digital exam, students can select their preferred language.
If you have a late entry for a Translated Paper, contact your School Relationship Manager urgently. Please be aware, exam papers are translated on demand and if no school has requested it by the 1 August deadline, a translated exam paper may not be available.
Preparing your students for digital exams
What students and ākonga need to do
- Look at the activities and information on our web page:
Digital exam preparation for students (external link) - Complete a Digital exams device check. Please note: A student’s access to our digital exam platform will be blocked if their device has a VPN installed which makes the device appear to be located outside of New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands or Niue.
Digital exams device check (external link) - Have a look at 2021 digital exams through their NZQA Learner Login, by clicking the Find past digital exams link. This is very useful preparation for the look and functionality of digital exams.
- Read the student checklist for digital exams.
Digital exams student checklist [PDF, 171 KB] - Use headphones if doing a Level 1-3 digital language exam or Te Reo Rangatira Level 2 (AS91777) exam, as the listening part of these exams use an audio file.
- Use headphones if doing Level 1-3 Te Reo Rangatira and want to use the voiceover option to listen to as well as read the exam instructions, questions and resources.
- Install language keyboards where needed and disable screensavers, notifications and software updates on their device before their exam.
On assessment/exam day
- The fastest and easiest way for students to access external digital assessments is by clicking on the banner at the top of NZQA’s home page (this banner is only available during exam time).
- They then use their NZQA student login details to access digital exams. Beforehand they must create an account if they do not already have one, and if they do, they should check their username and password.
- If students experience any problems creating or using their login before the exam day, they should click on the “Help” function in the login area or use the “Chat” Bot (found on right hand side of the login area) to reset their username or password. Alternatively, they can call the NZQA Contact Centre on 0800 697 296.
Digital exam resources for schools
- School staff are encouraged to look at the following resources and make sure students are well prepared:
Get your school ready for digital exams (external link)
Guidelines for SAC provision in Digital Exams and CATs (external link)
Digital exam preparation for students (external link)
Digital exams student checklist [PDF, 171 KB]
- get students to check digital exam entries for their courses through their NZQA student login. Staff can also use the Digital Examinations link in Key Indicators to check digital exam entries and chat with their PN about any late additions or changes to digital exam entries
- check that students have logged into their NZQA student login recently. Staff can use the Last Login Date column in the Digital Exams link in Key Indicators to check this.
Headphones for Te Reo Rangatira (TRR)
For all digital TRR Level 1-3 exams, ākonga will be able to listen to the assessment text (instructions, questions and resources) in Te Reo Māori by using a voiceover function as well as being able to read it. Ākonga will need to use headphones to access the voice over function.
Headphones for end of year digital language assessments/exams
All 2022 end of year digital language exams will include an audio file for the listening component of the exam. Students will need headphones and be able to choose when they will answer the listening standard.
Find out more in our Assessment Matters circular:
2022 Digital Language Exams – Listening Assessments A2022/15
External assessment administration
Ensured Derived Grades are submitted to NZQA
Make sure that you continue to submit grades in your datafile. This makes it much easier if there is an event that affects students in the external exams.
Find out more about Derived Grades (external link)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 November | Submit grades for Derived Grades and Derived Grades at Scale in your data file |
| 4 November | Pre-approval applications for National Representation close |
| 6 December | Applications close for NCEA external examinations and Term 4 RAS assessments |
Derived Grade Update #2 was emailed to Principal’s Nominees on 17 October.
Planning for disruption to NZQA provider login
To manage the risk of an Education Sector Logon (ESL) or network failure affecting your ability to access the school’s NZQA provider login, we recommend that you download digital or paper copies of:
- Candidates’ NSNs (via your SMS)
- Candidates’ admission slips (via your NZQA Provider login at General Security/Reports/Exam Reports)
Login Options page (external link) - Special Assessment Conditions Candidates’ Exam Timetable (via your NZQA Provider login at General Security/Key Indicators).
Working with your Exam Centre Manager (ECM)
Make sure you work with your ECM on a regular basis leading up to the exam period. Things to cover include any late entries, changes to SAC applications, confirmed number of students sitting NZ Scholarship exams, confirmation of available rooms and any recorded files that need to be digitally submitted to NZQA.
Find out more about working with your Exam Centre Manager:
Working with the Exam Centre Manager (external link)
Setting flags for digital submissions
If you have not flagged entries as Digital Submissions (DS), they will not show in the Digital Submissions link in Key Indicators. You can still submit student work through the Digital Submission Upload link or the Candidates/Standards page. Always check the External Assessment Submission Instructions for submitted subjects on the relevant subject pages. RAS pilot schools should follow the emailed instructions.
Teacher release during the exam period
Your school’s continued willingness to release teachers to attend panel meetings during the school day is critical to completing the marking process before Christmas so that results are available by late January 2023. Thank you for your ongoing understanding and support.
NZQA Quality Assurance
During the 2022 examinations, NZQA Quality Assurers will be visiting a selection of examination centres to conduct quality assurance visits. A Quality Assurer will arrive at your school / kura either before or during an examination to conduct their visit. They will report to reception, identify themselves and ask for the Examination Centre Manager.
The quality assurance checklist comprises four sections:
- the secure storage of exam materials
- preparations undertaken before candidates sit an exam
- procedures followed during an exam
- procedures undertaken after an exam.
The quality assurance visits ensure that our external assessment systems and processes are adhered to across all exam centres. This ensures every candidate undertakes exams in a fair and equitable environment.
Exam processes
Onscreen marking of scanned exam papers
NCEA Levels 1-3 end of year paper exam responses will be scanned and marked onscreen using the NCEA Online marking tool (RM Assessor).
Return of student NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams 2022
Students can view all their NCEA L1-3 and New Zealand Scholarship end of year assessed exams (digital and paper responses) online using their Learner Login account details.
Find out more about Accessing assessed digital and scanned paper exams online (external link)
Check out our website for more information about how exam material is returned to students, and the reviews and reconsiderations processes.
Return of exam material (external link)
Reviews and reconsiderations (external link)
Results Publication and Return to Candidate Processes
NCEA results will be released no later than the third week of January 2023. The results’ release date will be published at the end of exams in early December.
Students sitting NCEA 2022 end of year exams will be able to use their Learner Login details to access their digital or scanned paper exams online from the end of January. Students sitting NZ Scholarship can also access their scanned exam and grade online from 9 February. These will be available online until the end of June 2023. This includes any scanned blank paper answer books, but not blank digital ones.
Paper based exam booklets won’t be returned in the mail, with the exceptions of Level 3 and NZ Scholarship Visual Arts portfolios (digital submissions will not be returned). A few other exceptions may be returned by mail (e.g. Braille papers). This change brings together paper and digital marking using the NCEA Online platform and is an important step forward in our digital assessment journey.
See the NCEA Results section of our website for more information:
General notices
Digital Assessment - "Digital first" for NCEA L1 external assessment in 2024
This term the New Zealand School Trustees Association will be sending a letter on NZQA’s behalf to Chairs of Boards (cc Principals) about their school or kura digital participation in 2022, encouraging them to engage with NZQA so they can take part or increase the level of participation in what’s offered in 2023. This is being done in preparation for 2024 which will be the first year of “digital first” for all Level 1 standards where digital assessment is offered.
This letter will include information about what your school/kura has offered in 2022, that is:
- How many digital practice exams (DPE) were offered
- Whether or not Literacy and Numeracy was offered
- Whether or not RAS pilot subjects assessed digitally were offered
- ·The proportion of external standards the school has entries for that are offered digitally
- The proportion of students in Years 11-13 entered for one or more digital standards.
Insights Papers
Insights papers focus on equity issues, good practice and bringing to life administrative data that will support education system improvement.
Reminders
Te Marautanga o Aotearoa University Entrance subjects
Mainstream and immersion unit requirements
Mainstream schools with students studying in a kaupapa Māori context (such as through an immersion unit) must notify NZQA of the students undertaking any of the TMoA subjects below for University Entrance by 1 December:
- Hauora
- Ngā Mahi a te Rēhia
- Ngā Toi Ataata
- Ngā Toi Puoro
Find out more about Te Marautanga o Aotearoa University Entrance subjects (external link)
Code self-review attestation
For schools approved to enrol international students
The Code attestation form for schools is due 1 December 2022.
If your school is a Code signatory, we have emailed your school’s key Code contact with a link to complete the annual Code self-review attestation form. This is an online form, which will take around 10 minutes to complete. The link is unique to your school – please do not share your link.
As a Code signatory, you must complete an annual attestation, even if you have not enrolled any international students this year. This is to ensure that your school meets all Code requirements, and continually reflects on practice to ensure the safety of international students.
Find resources to support your self-review process:
Self-review and attestation (external link)
If your school has not received our email, or if you have any questions on this process, please email us at code.enquiries@nzqa.govt.nz.
Level 3 Visual Arts clarification
Visual Arts teachers and Principal’s Nominees are reminded that all Level 3 and NZ Scholarship Visual Arts portfolios must be physically sent to the marking venue, including those of candidates who have applied for a derived grade. The ONLY exception to this is Moving Image portfolios, which are sent in digitally using the submission instructions on our Visual Arts subject resource page:
Visual Arts subject resources (external link)
Schools are responsible for making courier arrangements for the collection of your NCEA Level 3 and NZ Scholarship submissions on the nominated collection date - Thursday 10 November. You may use any courier company. NZQA does not supply pre-paid courier tickets for the delivery of Level 3 and NZ Scholarship materials to the marking venue. Physical copies of these submission instructions are included in your schools’ pack sent in Term 4 (18 – 21 October).
Any queries should be emailed to Kate.campion@nzqa.govt.nz
Student Login credentials for school leavers
Please advise students leaving school at the end of the year to check the email address they use for their Learner Login to ensure it remains accessible. Email addresses are used for logging into and resetting NZQA accounts. If your leavers are using a school email address, they should update this to a personal email account before their school email account is deleted.
Updating contact information
Please check that your school contact information is accurate, particularly mobile phone numbers, so we can contact you, or the Principal, in case of an unexpected event during the exam or summer holiday periods. Guidelines on how to update contact information are included in Appendix 1.
PN Checklist
Leading up to exams
- Familiarise yourself with the exam management resources
Examination management (external link) - The Exam Centre Self-Review may assist with your planning
2022 External exams Self-Review tool [DOCX, 42 KB] - Provide secure storage for exam material
- Check the accuracy of the data you have submitted to NZQA and correct any errors - Digital Exams entries in Key Indicators
- Complete any outstanding SAC processes for 2022
- Become familiar with the Derived Grade process and ensure that Derived Grades are included in a datafile
Derived grades for an unexpected event (external link) - Check the Candidates' Last Login report in your Provider Login to ensure all students sitting digital exams can login
- Keep in contact with your ECM about any changes re candidate entries and maintain a Late Entry roll
Guidelines to update contact details online [PDF, 448 KB] - Ensure that NCEA and NZ Scholarship fees for international fee-paying students have been paid by 31 October
- Distribute exam admission slips to students
- Share the student checklist for digital exams with students and teachers
Digital exams student checklist [PDF, 171 KB] - Brief school staff about their responsibilities during the exam period
Briefing school staff (external link)
Exam Day/s
- Confirm with office staff about school processes for candidate absences and derived grade applications
- Advise staff daily on which exams are being held and where
- Organise staff for checking calculators at relevant exams
- Download and save exam candidates' NSNs, admission slips and the SAC exam timetable