14 to 20 September

This year NCEA parallel external examinations occur closer to the end of the term. This is so that students’ revision and practice occurs close to the actual final external examinations, and so that the full range of standards may be tested in these examinations.

We have also identified a need to make the parallel examination conditions replicate the actual examination conditions as closely as possible. Because formal examinations are different to the way students learn in everyday classes, they need to understand the conditions under which the exams occur. They need to reflect fully on the importance of working independently to prepare and study for the exams.

Please talk to your daughter about her study plan. Go over the following exam conditions with her. Allow plenty of time for your daughter to arrive at her exam. Make sure she has had a good night’s sleep and a breakfast that will sustain her over three hours. A full parallel examination timetable will be issued closer to the time.

Some of the important NZQA rules for examinations are as follows. Students are required to follow these rules for the September examinations.

Exam materials

Students are responsible for taking the correct equipment to the exam and making sure that it is working.

Bring equipment into the exam room in a clear plastic bag. Students can bring:

· pens (black and blue colours are permitted), pencils and an eraser

· an approved calculator for subjects where a calculator has been used during the year.

Calculators must be silent, hand-held, non-printing and work from their own power. Students cannot keep notes, routines or store files in the calculator memory. Teachers or supervisors will check the calculator memory is cleared before it can be brought into the exam room.

Emergency evacuation and student pack

Students are allowed to bring items for an emergency evacuation into the examination room in a clear, sealable plastic bag. This pack must stay under the chair and not be touched or opened without the permission of the supervisor. Contents could include a mobile phone (switched off) or other electronic device, keys, money, bus pass and medicines.

Banned items

Do not bring the following items into an exam room unless sealed in the emergency evacuation pack:

· blank paper or refill paper

· correcting fluid

· books, written notes or electronic notes

· cell phones or pagers

· English dictionaries, foreign language dictionaries, or te reo Māori dictionaries or translators

· any electronic device which has the capability to store, communicate and/or retrieve information except approved calculators.

On the day of the exam

Arrive at least 20 minutes before the exam starts. Assemble in the designated area. Maintain silence when teachers are calling your rooms. You may not leave the parallel examinations until the conclusion of each examination.

In the exam room

· Listen to and follow the instructions of the supervisor at all times.

· Sit at the desk allocated. The exam booklets at this desk will have been selected and coded specifically for you.

· Check all the answer booklets have your name on them.

· When told, you should check that all pages in each exam booklet are printed correctly.

· If you have any problems, you should put up your hand.

During the exam

Students should

· not borrow equipment from someone else.

· not talk to, communicate with, or do anything to disturb other students.

· not read or copy another student's work.

Writing answers

Students should

· follow all the instructions on the front cover of the exam booklet.

· use only black or blue pen.

· not write in pencil unless instructed to do so.

· write neatly, so the marker can read the answers.

· cross out any work they do not want marked.

· not write or draw anything that may be regarded as offensive.

· not write to the marker or write in the part of the answer booklet 'For assessor's use only'.

· not write answers for one standard in the answer booklet for another. Where you fill up your answer booklet, you may request extra paper.

· fill in your details at the top of any additional sheets of paper provided and put them inside the answer booklet.

At the end of the exam

Stop writing when the supervisor tells you to. Hand all material to be marked to the supervisor before you leave. If you take any work outside the examination room, it will not be marked.

If students prepare well and follow these instructions for the school parallel examinations, they will ensure maximum success in the final external examinations.