Term 1
Kohitātea January
Huitānguru February
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) – Rollover/Change opens for entitled candidates
2024 Assessment (including Exams) Rules for Schools with Consent to Assess published on NZQA website
Deadline for 2023 NCEA external assessment reviews and reconsiderations
Poutūterangi March
Candidate information sheets (for candidates entering externals) sent to schools
Otago Anniversary
Data file submission opens (schools can upload entry and result data files to NZQA from this date)
Data file submissions for entries into Literacy and Numeracy assessment event 1 due 1 April
Good Friday
Update of 2024 External assessment specifications online
Paengawhāwhā April
Easter Monday
Web Entries Schools’ access opens
First data file submission due (include as many candidate enrolments, courses and entries as possible)
Data file submission deadline for entries into Literacy and Numeracy assessment event 1
NZQA starts to process entry and result data files
Email schools@nzqa.govt.nz of any new twins or triplets entered for NCEA
Acceptance of Memorandum of Agreement opens online
End of Term 1
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC). First deadline for first time applications for approval, rollover and changes
Term 2
Paengawhāwhā April
Haratua May
Data file submission due - include any additional or updated candidate enrolment and entry information
Data file submission deadline for entries into Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau assessment event 1
Pipiri June
Te Ao Haka 91978 and 91979 (assessment event 1)
NZQA advertises for external markers. Online applications open
Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau assessment event 1 (June 10 to June 21 TBC)
Hōngongoi July
Data file submission due
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) – Attach SAC entitlements to external standards from NOW
Term 3
Hōngongoi July
Translated papers – Check all external entries requiring translation or marking in Te Reo Māori are correctly flagged for 1 August data file
Read more about the use of Te Reo Māori
Check 1 August file contains all external entries (including NZ Scholarship) for SAC candidates and DCAT
Submission instructions published on the NZQA website for submissions due 30 October
Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) - Include as many exam entries for SAC candidates as possible and continue to attach SAC entitlements to exams
Hereturikōkā August
Data file submission due - used to calculate the quantity of exam papers and materials for external exams
Check timetable clashes and confirm candidates’ entries for externals
Translated papers - Deadline to request translation or marking in Te Reo Māori for external entries in your data file
DCAT - Deadline for schools to advise NZQA of Assessment Day
Visual Arts - art bag order due
Check accuracy of externally assessed entries in preparation for 26 August data file submission including international candidate entries in NCEA & NZ Scholarship. Fees for international candidates are based on entries in the 26 August file
Data file submission due - deadline to submit entries for externally assessed standards including NZ Scholarship for candidates to receive personalised exam materials
Data file submission deadline for entries into Literacy/Numeracy and Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau assessment event 2
Final date for withdrawals from externally assessed standards including NZ Scholarship
Confirm entries for international fee-paying students
Check timetable clashes and confirm with candidates how two-way clashes will be resolved. Three-way clash letters will be sent to PNs by end of Term 3
Mahuru September
Te Ao Haka 91978 and 91979 (assessment event 2)
DCAT L2 and L3 assessment period Sept 9 to Sept 13
Literacy and Numeracy assessment event 2 (Sept 9 to Sept 20)
Te Reo Matatini me te Pāngarau assessment event 2 (Sept 9 to Sept 20 TBC)
Term 4
Whiringa-ā-nuku October
Visual Arts Level 1 submissions due:
- Last day to submit student work for verification
- ALL provisional results must be entered
Confirm with NZQA 3 way exam clash arrangements
Submission of candidate work and attendance rolls due
Refer to the Subjects page on the NZQA website (external link)
Visual Arts Level 2 submissions due:
- Physical portfolios collected from schools / moving image portfolios submitted via online portal
- ALL provisional results must be entered
Final date for school payment of NCEA and NZ Scholarship fees for international fee-paying candidates
Whiringa-ā-rangi November
Data file submission due - include all derived grades for Unexpected Events and send any additional candidate information in this file
Visual Arts L3 and NZ Scholarship submissions due
Physical portfolios collected from schools / moving image portfolios submitted via online portal
Canterbury Anniversary (no exams scheduled)
Visual Arts Level 2 - start entering final results
NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams end
Final date to submit assessment plan for 2025 moderation
Hakihea December
Final data file submission for 2024 - include all final verified internally assessed results and derived grades at scale for an unexpected event. This file is the last opportunity to correct any remaining errors and warnings.
Final date for withdrawals from internally assessed standards
Do not withdraw leavers
Update school emergency contacts with NZQA
Data file submission links close at midnight (entry and result file processing ends). No further 2024 data files can be uploaded to NZQA after 11.59pm
Web Entries Schools’ access closes
Derived grade online applications close
Assessment specifications for 2025 external assessment published online
Key business dates
Submitting data files
Please submit your data files for the 1st of each month from April to December (except for the September file which is due on 26 August).
You can submit data files more than once a month.