The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is not the only qualification that students at Unlimited can work towards, but it is the most common, and therefore many of the assessment opportunities provided at Unlimited are linked to it.

NCEA is the main qualification at all senior school levels. It provides the pathway to tertiary education, workplace training and is an important part of learning for many of our students.

What's different about NCEA at Unlimited?

At most high schools you don't get the chance to start working towards NCEA qualifications until you hit year 11. At that time everyone in Year 11 starts working towards gaining the Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy requirements and working to achieve a Level 1 Certificate.

At Unlimited you can start working towards qualifications as soon as you enter school. We carry out "baseline" assessments on our year 9 and 10 students to see if you are ready for some of the challenges that come with working at higher levels of the curriculum, but more importantly we listen to your aspirations and interests.

Most Unlimited students undertake assessments at different levels of the National Qualifications Framework during the same year. So you will find students sitting assessments at Level 1, 2 and 3 all in the same academic year. Because of this it is important that students keep a close watch on their qualifications count as they work towards the different qualifications certificates available.

Setting a Qualifications Goal

Every year students set a qualification goal with their parents and homebase learning advisor. (Year 11 - 13 students must set a goal, Year 9 & 10 can if it is appropriate). Your homebase learning advisor will take you through this process in your first Individual Education Plan meeting.

This goal is important, and you should revisit the goal throughout the year - making sure you're on target. Students set goals which are high, but realistic, and it is the responsibility of everyone to help them achieve their goals. At Unlimited we aim to have 100% of our students meet their Qualification Goal each year.

Achieving NCEA

To achieve your NCEA Certificate at Level 1, 2 or 3 you need to meet the following criteria.

University Entrance

University Entrance is a separate qualification from the NCEA Level 3 Certificate. The requirements listed below are taken directly from the NCEA website.

• a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects
• a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework
• a minimum of 8 credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo M?ori; 4 credits must be in Reading and 4 credits must be in Writing. The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards and unit standards.

Special Assessment Conditions for NCEA

NZQA offers special assessment conditions to assist students with learning difficulties to complete NCEA assessments. These conditions may include:

• Extra time
• Separate room
• Reader/writer support
• Use of a laptop

These conditions need to be applied for early in the year and reapplied for each year. Each applicant needs a report from an Educational Psychologist recommending what special conditions are required. A copy of this report together with a letter of application from the parents/caregivers should be forwarded to Barbara Adcock as early as possible in the school year. To begin the process please fill out the online contact form here.

How much will it cost me?

At the moment it is costs $75.00 per year to register with NZQA to have credits achieved at school and on other courses accredited to your record of learning. We expect that all of our learners at or above Year 11 will want to register with NZQA each year.

This fee is absolutely necessary if you intend to sit external examinations at the end of the year.

What if I only want to achieve a few credits during my year 9

Year 9 students can achieve credits. These are all "banked", which means they are held on our database to be sent through to NZQA the following year. There are therefore no NCEA fees to pay in year 9. Since fees are not being paid, year 9 students will not be eligible to sit exams. From year 10, the $75.00 fee applies and all credits earned are sent to NZQA.