The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is New Zealand’s national qualification for senior secondary pupils, and is part of the National Qualifications Framework. It provides the pathway to tertiary education and to work place training.
NCEA Level 1
- All Year 11 pupils take 7 subjects.
- You must take English or English for Internationals A, Mathematics Course, Science, Christian Studies
- You must choose 3 additional options.
- Assessment is both Internal and External.
- Assessment may be either Unit Standards or Achievement Standards or a mix of both.
NCEA Level 2
- All Year 12 pupils take 6 or 7 subjects.
- You must take English or Academic English, and Christian Studies.
- You must choose 4 or 5 additional options.
- Prerequisites may apply for entry to Level 2 courses.
- Assessment by Unit Standards and/or Achievement Standards applies, and will be either Internal or External or both
NCEA Level 3
- There are no compulsory subjects at Level 3, with the exception of Christian Focus Days.
- It is usual for Year 13 pupils to study 5 subjects.
- Year 13 pupils may take courses from Level 1-3.
- Prerequisites may apply for entry to Level 3 courses.
- Year 13 pupils should consider entering Scholarship where appropriate, in consultation with the subject teacher.
Subjects offered
Read about NCEA in other languages for international students and learn more about NCEA.
Helpful General Information
- All advanced scientific and technical occupations require Mathematics to NCEA Level 3. You need to continue with Mathematics if you are interested in careers such as Accountancy, Physical Education, Psychology, Medicine, Consumer Science, Health and Physical Sciences.
- If you want to keep a scientific, engineering or medical career open as a possibility, you should take Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
- Most Science careers require Biology with Chemistry; or Physics with Chemistry.
- If you are definitely not interested in any of the above careers, you should consider breadth of option choice to keep doors open. The inclusion of Mathematics in your course increases the range of career opportunities which may be open to you.
- Attaining high standards in English and communication skills is essential for some career areas and useful for all.
- Pupils heading in the direction of medical sciences need to remember that an arts course is required.
- If your career interest requires a specific course such as Art, Music, a language, etc then this must be included in your option choices.
- Computer Programmes are available in the school library to provide information (and a print out if desired) on various careers, necessary tertiary courses of study, and the institutions that provide such courses.
- The Tertiary and Vocational Coordinator will assist with useful information and contacts.
