National Certificate of Educational Achievement

What is the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)?

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) is the main qualification for senior secondary school students, and it’s available at Levels 1, 2 and 3. NCEA is internationally recognised. 

Overview

• Each year, you study courses or subjects.

• Achievement in each subject may be assessed through several standards, with each standard covering a specific set of skills and knowledge. For example, a Science standard is: Investigate implications of electricity and magnetism for everyday life.

• Schools use internal and external assessments to measure how well you meet these standards.

• When you achieve a standard, you gain credits. You must achieve a certain number of credits to gain NCEA.

• There are 3 levels of NCEA. In general, students work through levels 1 to 3 in Years 11 to 13 at school.

• Achievement at each level or in a course is recognised with endorsements.

More information

Please view our information junior and senior students, and NCEA assessment and scholarship information on this site, and you can also refer to the NZQA Guide to NCEA.