New Zealand's main secondary school qualification is the
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The NCEA is made up of credits that are awarded for meeting pre-defined standards (called achievement or unit standards) in each subject area.
For each subject, separate standards are given for different skills and knowledge within the subject. For example, in English there will be separate standards for speaking, reading, writing and research.
Industry-related unit standards are internally assessed. Students can use unit standards as credits toward an NCEA. No grades or marks are given for unit standards. Credit is simply given if the standard is achieved.
About 60% of the achievement standards are assessed externally (end-of-year examinations marked by teachers outside the school); the rest are assessed internally (assessments within the school).
To gain a National Certificate of Educational Achievement you must earn 80 credits. In the case of Levels 2 and 3 at least 60 must be from the relevant Level. Students can also study at a mix of levels depending on their interests and strengths.
