NCEA reviews and reconsiderations

You can apply for a review or reconsideration of externally assessed NCEA standards and New Zealand Scholarship subjects.

This page covers how to apply for an NCEA reconsideration or review for all subjects and levels. For information about New Zealand scholarship reviews and reconsiderations, go to:

New Zealand Scholarship reviews and reconsiderations

Deadline to apply

NCEA review and reconsideration applications open after external assessment results are released, around the third week of January 2025.

Dates for applying for a review or reconsideration for the 2024 examination round will be published at a later date.

When to request a review

You can apply for a review when:

you think a standard you completed is missing some or all of its content,
you think a grade score has been calculated or reported incorrectly.

Reviews don't involve re-marking and there is no charge.

When to request a reconsideration

You can apply for a reconsideration when you think your marked exam has not been marked correctly. This involves reassessing all answers in the marked exam using the original assessment schedule.

Your grade will not go down after a reconsideration.

For standards where you've received your exam materials, you will need to include these in your application.

Level 3 Visual Arts

We recommend that you seek advice from your school before applying for a reconsideration of your Level 3 Visual Arts results.

What you need to provide

4 printed A4-size colour photographs, one of each portfolio panel and one of the entire board
your signed Authenticity Declaration

You must send these images to us by post. You'll find the address detailed in the 'Reconsiderations' tab in the MyNZQA learners portal.

Don’t email us the photos as the files will be too big.

A separate application for each standard

If you’re applying for reconsiderations in more than one field, or for both Level 3 and Scholarship in the same field, please complete a separate online application online for each standard

You should also send us separate photographs for each application.

Return of exam material

For assessments completed on paper

Marked NCEA standards completed on paper are scanned and uploaded to your student account in the MyNZQA learners portal.

Marked exams are not returned in the mail.

For physically submitted portfolios

Physically submitted Design and Visual Communication and Technology portfolios and folders are returned to your school.

Physically submitted Visual Arts portfolios or workbooks are returned to students by mail.

How to apply for a review

You can apply for a review by following these steps:

log in to the MyNZQA learners portal
download and print your personalised 'Request Review' application (this won't be available until marked materials are returned to you by post or are available online)
read, complete and sign your application form
send us your application form and exam materials.

Your application form must be signed by you or a nominated person. If a nominated person is signing on your behalf, you need to tell us this, in advance, in writing:

reviews@nzqa.govt.nz

How to send your review application

For standards completed online

You can email your application if you're requesting a review for a standard that's:

completed entirely online
submitted material digitally, or
the scanned marked exam is online.

Email us your application

For standards with materials physically returned

You need to post your application if the exam booklet or materials have been physically returned to you.

Make sure you include:

your completed application form
the relevant marked exam answer booklet, folder or portfolio
your Results or Performance Summary Card, where appropriate.

You must send us your application by the due date on the application form. Our address for reviews is:

NZQA
NCEA Reviews
PO Box 160
Wellington

How to apply for a reconsideration

Apply for a reconsideration by following these steps:

log in to the MyNZQA learners portal
select 'Request Reconsideration for NZQA Examination results' (this won't be available until after you can access your marked exams)
follow the step-by-step instructions for completing your application.

Fees for reconsiderations

NCEA reconsiderations cost $20.40 per standard. If a reconsideration results in a change of your final grade, the application fee is refunded.

The fee for Design and Visual Communication, Technology and Visual Arts portfolios is $20.40 per external achievement standard, not per portfolio.

Fee waivers

Reconsideration fees are waived if a student's parent or guardian is receiving a Work and Income or Study Link benefit, or if the student's family is entitles to receive a Community Services card.

The reconsideration fee waiver application form is available in the learners portal.

Additional fees and refunds

Additional fees may occur for the return of materials by courier.

The reconsideration is conducted by a senior marker and the results are final.

There is no appeal process for a reconsideration

Candidates are able to view the assessment report and assessment schedules for the subject from early February. These contain valuable information and feedback about the marking of the external assessment for the current year.

How long do reviews and reconsiderations take?

Reviews and reconsiderations can take up to 6 weeks to process.

If the outcome of your application might affect University Entrance, let your chosen university know it may take 6 weeks before you receive any updated results.

You can monitor your reconsideration request in the MyNZQA learners portal, in the 'My Orders' tab.

Log in to MyNZQA (external link)

NCEA reviews and reconsiderations