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.

Please note, the Literacy and Numeracy requirements can be fulfilled through any subjects that carry a sufficient numeracy or literacy component. It is not essential that Literacy and Numeracy be gained through English and Math.
* Click for subjects that meet Literacy and Numeracy requirements

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.

Please note: UE requirements change in 2014, so are not relevant for current Year 9 and 10 students
* Click to view the 2014 UE requirements (read through entire page)

UE Requirements for 2012 and 2013

• 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.

* Click to view new UE requirements (in effect from 2014) (read through entire page)

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?

Entry for all NCEA standards is $76.70 per year. All students at year 10 or above sitting NCEA will need to pay this fee each year. If the fee is not paid, the credits will not appear on your record of learning and a late fee will be generated by NZQA.

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. Therefore, there are no NCEA fees to pay in year 9. Since fees are not being paid, year 9 students are not eligible to sit exams. From year 10, the $76.70 fee applies and all credits earned are registered with NZQA.