How we review assessment systems
We review secondary schools' assessment systems at least once every 4 years. We do this to:
- make sure that assessment is valid, fair, consistent, reliable, accurate and to the national standard
- make sure assessment is in accordance with the Assessment Rules
- confirm that schools are maintaining the requirements for consent to assess.
Managing National Assessment (MNA) reviews are a partnership between schools and NZQA.
Reviews looks for evidence to answer the question:
How effectively does your school ensure the credibility of assessment for national qualifications?
More information
On this page
The evidence we look for
We look for evidence in 4 areas of school practice:
- moderation
- assessment practice
- data
- communication.
This evidence includes:
- a school's self-evaluation
- a school’s documentation on assessment policy and procedures
- interviews with school managers, teachers and students
- data and statistics
- audits of a school’s systems for special assessment conditions, derived grades and examination centre management.
Schools prepare for an MNA review and provide some evidence to NZQA before a review visit.
After an MNA review visit, we write a report. When a report is finalised, we publish it online. If a report finds any significant issues, we work in partnership with the school to prepare an action plan and resolve the issues.