Entry into NCEA

Information about NCEA for learners

When your school or kura first sends your entries to NZQA in March, you automatically become a candidate for NCEA.

If you're interested in New Zealand Scholarship, your school or kura can help you enrol in this as well.

Candidate information sheets

Entering NCEA and NZ Scholarship: A guide for students, caregivers and whānau [PDF, 125 KB]

Te whakauru i te NCEA me Te Hiranga o Aotearoa: He aratohu whakamārama mō te ākonga, ngā katiaki me te whānau [PDF, 140 KB]

NCEA Rules

When working towards NCEA you must obey all NCEA rules and procedures.

Rules for students taking assessments

NZQA Assessment Rules

Special Assessment Conditions

If you have sensory, physical, medical or learning difficulties, you may be able to access support options during assessments. This help is called Special Assessment Conditions.

Your school or kura needs to apply to NZQA on your behalf to approve this support. If approved, your school or kura will explain what this means for you. There is no cost to you for this.

About Special Assessment Conditions 

Home-schooled students

A home-schooled student who wishes to enter for achievement or unit standards must establish a link with a registered school.

The Assessment (including Examination) Rules for Home-Schooled Students 2022 have been revoked and replaced by the NZQA Assessment Rules:

NZQA Assessment Rules

International students

International students who are resident in New Zealand can gain NCEA.

Coming to New Zealand for secondary school

Schools must pay NCEA and New Zealand Scholarship fees to NZQA for their international students. NZQA does not accept fee payments directly from international students.

Secondary education fees

NCEA results

Results of every standard you achieve are recorded on your New Zealand Record of Achievement.

To view or download your New Zealand Record of Achievement, you need to set up a MyNZQA account using  your National Student Number (NSN).

Find my NSN

How to create a MyNZQA account

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