NZQA have released information on changes to NCEA in 2021 based upon the current disruptions to teaching and learning. NCEA students should be made aware of the outlined changes.


End of year exams and portfolios 

The dates for end of year NCEA and NZ Scholarship exams will be delayed by two weeks, to run from Monday 22 November until Tuesday 14 December. Due dates for portfolio submissions will also be pushed back by 2 weeks. The new timetable is yet to be released by NZQA.

These two changes will give students and schools more time to prepare for the end of the year. 

Schools will also not have to provide Level 1 or Level 2 Visual Arts portfolios for NZQA Verification. This also means there will be more time for students to finish their work, and for teachers to mark it. 


Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT) and Digital Technologies & Hangarau Matihiko Common Assessment Tasks (DigiCATs) 

We are delaying the NCEA Level 1 Mathematics Common Assessment Task (MCAT) from 14 or 16 September for two weeks – to 28 or 30 September. This will give students who were due to sit the MCAT more time to prepare. Twizel Area School will have the opportunity to select the most appropriate date for our student entries. Mr Johnson will let the affected students know the new date in due course.

At this stage, the dates for DigiCATs remain 20 Sept – 1 Oct and 18 – 27 October. 


Other changes 

As the length of time we are likely to remain in lockdown becomes clearer, there are extra steps the Government may take, such as reintroducing Learning Recognition Credits, or making changes to the thresholds for Endorsements and University Entrance.

If you have any questions or concerns about your NCEA programme, or your online learning, please contact us. For NCEA general questions - Mrs O’Carroll (Principal’s Nominee in charge of NCEA - [email protected]). For online learning questions - your classroom teacher or Dean ([email protected]).


For more information regarding NCEA, see the Twizel Area School website here: NCEA Information