NCEA assessment

NCEA assessment policy

Our school assessment policy has been developed in line with NZQA requirements, incorporating the nationally agreed guidelines published by NZQA.

Please read the 2025 student NCEA handbook. 

Authenticity

In any internal or externally assessed standard, students should not:

• Copy from another person or source without appropriate acknowledgement

• Receive guidance, scaffolding, instruction, assistance or assessment conditions beyond what is specified by the assessment specifications for that particular standard

• Use chatbots, generative AI, paraphrasing tools, or tools that can automatically generate content, unless specified otherwise by the teacher in writing at the start of the assessment 

• Access resources between assessment sessions if not permitted by the specific assessment specifications for that standard

Students should:

• Ensure their work is backed up / saved / in the cloud

• Be able to show their work history (using google docs or saved drafts)

• Keep a record of all their sources including search terms 

• Use google originality reports to check the authenticity of work before it is submitted
  
  

Students should not:

• Copy work from peers, or allow peers to copy their work

• Quote or copy from an written or online sources without proper referencing

• Allow someone to do your work for them

• Use unauthorised technology in an assessment or exam

• Knowingly submit work which is incorrect or misleading

Use of AI in assessments

The use of AI technology has become widespread over recent years. The most widely used are Large Language Model (LLM) platforms such as ChatGPT but there are many others which generate images, music scores etc as well as Grammarly and translation tools. 

• For most assessments students are NOT allowed to use AI tools at all.

• For selected assessments, teachers will make it clear on the cover sheet that AI can be used, and specifically which part of the assessments AI can be used for (usually research only). 

• If AI is used then it must be referenced appropriately and the prompts listed on the cover sheet.

Breaches

Assessments all have different conditions attached to them. The teacher will make these clear to students at the start of an assessment and on the cover sheet. Breaches of assessment conditions can include inappropriate use of technology, sharing work with other students, communication with other students during an assessment, and plagiarism. 

• For internal standards, decisions regarding breaches will be made by the Head of Learning Area (HOLA) or the Principal's Nominee (Deputy Principal)

• For external standards, NZQA will be sent a report and will decide on the outcome

The following process will take place in either instance:

1. The teacher will collect evidence of the breach and complete a google form.

2. The teacher and Head of Learning Area (HOLA) will discuss the incident with the student and document their side of the story.

3. If it is concluded that there has been a breach of exam conditions the student will receive a Not Achieved grade for that standard. This will be communicated with the student and parents.

4. If there has been collusion with another student, or another student has knowingly shared their work, that student will also receive a Not Achieved grade for the standard.

5. No resubmission will be allowed for that standard if a breach is confirmed.

6. For serious or repeated misconduct, the student will need to meet with the Deputy Principal in charge of curriculum. 

Extensions

Teachers will make completion dates for assessments clear and these will be stated on the cover sheet. Students will be given adequate time to complete an assessment (often this is stipulated by NZQA). It is a students’ responsibility to ensure they submit work by the deadline. Students need a valid reason for asking for an extension.

An extension can only be approved if:

• The student communicates in a timely manner with their teacher. For pre-approved trips / sporting events, students should apply at least two weeks in advance.

• A 'Missing assessment' google form should be completed by the student. This is available from the teacher or head of learning area.

• Holidays during term time are unlikely to be a valid reason for an extension.

• Late work will not be accepted if the correct process is not followed. A Not Achieved grade will be given for late submissions.
  
  

Absences

Students are expected to be present in school for assessments and hand them in on time. If a student knows they are going to be absent for an assessment they must communicate with their teacher (see “extensions” above). 

If a student is absent for a valid reason e.g. illness, for an assessment deadline, they should ensure that an electronic copy is submitted digitally, or a paper copy is handed into the school reception (with the relevant teacher’s name on it).

If a student is unable to complete an exam or single day (live) assessment due to illness, they should:

• Communicate with their teacher as soon as possible (before the assessment takes place).

• The teacher may ask for a medical certificate from the doctor.

• Complete a 'Missing assessment' google form. Please ask the teacher for the link.
  
  

All assessments are different. It may be possible for a student to take the same assessment at a later date, or the teacher may be able to set a different assessment of similar difficulty instead of the original assessment. If a reassessment is not practicable the teacher may be able to award a grade based on a previous similar piece of work (derived grade). If the absence cannot be justifiably explained the student will receive a Not Achieved grade. 

Digital assessment: computer problems

It is a student’s responsibility to ensure they bring a working laptop and charger to school. For technical difficulties during an assessment the school may be able to provide a replacement device (chromebook). 

For long term assessments and portfolios, students should ensure they regularly save documents, and have backup storage (preferably remote). Teachers might suggest that students regularly email work to themselves as a backup and also to prove authenticity. 

Network failure during an assessment within school is not the students’ responsibility.

Appeals

Students have the right to appeal an assessment grade or assessment conditions (if they are considered to be different to those of other students). If a student wishes to make an appeal they should:

• Discuss the outcome with their teacher in the first instance.

• If a different teacher graded the work, then the student should have a discussion with that teacher.

• If the student is still not happy with the outcome they should complete an appeal form and share with their teacher. This form should be completed within 7 days of the grade being received

• The final decision regarding appeals lies with the Principal's Nominee (Deputy Principal) in the case of internals, and NZQA for externals.
  
  

Resubmissions

A teacher may offer a student a resubmission opportunity if:

• The student is on the Not Achieved / Achieved boundary (Achieved is the highest grade that can be awarded in this instance)

• The omission / error is small enough to be rectified quickly (a minor error or omission) - a significant change to the submission should not be allowed

• No further teaching or learning has taken place since the assessment

• The teacher does not give specific guidance or direction

• The resubmission can be completed verbally (recorded) or in writing

Reassessments

One further assessment opportunity may be offered some standards. If a second opportunity is available:

• The Head of Learning Area will determine whether a second assessment opportunity is available for a specific standard

• Students will be told before the first assessment whether a second one will be available

• A different task will be offered for the second assessment

• The assessment opportunity will be available to all students, irrespective of the grade they received in the first assessment

• The highest grade from the two opportunities will be reported

• No further opportunities can be offered
  
  

If students do not sit the first assessment and have no valid excuse, they will not be allowed to sit the second opportunity (and should receive a Not Achieved grade). The valid excuse will be determined by the school’s missed assessment policy (as stated above). If a second opportunity is offered and a student didn’t take part in the first assessment, but did have a valid excuse, they can take part in the second opportunity.