About Special Assessment Conditions (SAC)
Special assessment conditions (SAC) can provide extra help for otherwise capable students. It addresses barriers some students have when they take assessments for NCEA or New Zealand Scholarship.
Students may be eligible for SAC if they have a permanent or long-term sensory, physical, medical or learning difficulty that stops them being fairly assessed for national qualifications.
NZQA assesses all SAC submissions. NZQA has the final decision on whether to approve or decline SAC provisions.
Learn about what SAC is available
On this page
SAC categories for registered professionals
There are 4 categories schools can use when they apply for SAC:
- sensory (vision, hearing)
- physical
- medical
- learning.
For all 4 categories, registered professionals are those who are registered with the regulatory authority appointed under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, according to their professions.
The Act aims to protect the health and safety of members of the public. The Act makes sure health practitioners are competent and fit to practice their profession.
For the Learning category only, registered psychologists and New Zealand Council of Educational Research (NZCER) approved assessors may assess students for SAC.
Ministry of Health: Responsible authorities under the Act (external link)
Professions regulated under the HPCA Act 2003 Profession Responsible authority
Chiropractic:
Chiropractic Board (external link)
Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, Clinical Dental Technology, Dental Technology and Dental Therapy:
Dental Council (external link)
Dietetics:
Dieticians Board (external link)
Medical Laboratory Science, Anaesthetic Technology:
Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (external link)
Medical Radiation Technology:
Medical Radiation Technologists Board (external link)
Medicine:
Medical Council (external link)
Midwifery:
Midwifery Council (external link)
Nursing:
Nursing Council (external link)
Occupational Therapy:
Occupational Therapy Board (external link)
Optometry and Optical Dispensing:
Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (external link)
Osteopathy:
Osteopathic Council (external link)
Pharmacy:
Pharmacy Council (external link)
Physiotherapy:
Physiotherapy Board (external link)
Podiatry:
Podiatrists Board (external link)
Psychology:
Psychologists Board (external link)
Psychotherapy:
Sources of evidence for submissions
NZQA accepts two types of submission for SAC. Each type needs evidence from different sources.
A submission based on school evidence
SENCOs, RTLB and other learning support staff collect appropriate evidence from the student’s time at secondary school:
- school-based testing and teacher observations, or
- comments on the use of Special Assessment Conditions.
School applications may be based on the historical findings of a registered professional. Schools can ask that a student continues to get SAC because they still need it.
A submission supported by a report from an appropriately qualified independent registered professional
The report must recommend Special Assessment Conditions to address the student’s specified assessment needs.
A report for a specific learning disorder (SLD) from before the student was at secondary school may not be enough evidence on its own. Schools and NZQA may need evidence of the student's current condition.
A report for sensory, physical and medical conditions must be from the most recent specialist visit.
Types of evidence needed from registered professionals
Evidence for sensory, medical or physical submissions
Reports by appropriate health professionals should:
- be as recent as possible
- identify the disability and its impact
- if possible, state which SAC would be appropriate.
Evidence for learning submissions
Reports must be based on valid standardised cognitive and academic testing and clearly say which SAC provision the professional recommends.
Tests must be run and scored following the manual relevant to the examiner.
The SAC submission must include the assessment report from the professional.
NZQA also recommends you complete the SAC Declaration and include it in the submission. The application process will be more efficient.