10-18 September 

This year NCEA parallel external examinations occur closer to the end of the term. This is so that students’ revision and practice occurs closer 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  time for your daughter to arrive at her exam in plenty of time. 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

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

Bring your own equipment into the exam room in a clear plastic bag. You can take:

• pens (permissible colours are black and blue), pencils and an eraser.

• an approved calculator for subjects where you have used a calculator during the year.

Calculators must be silent, hand-held, non-printing and work from their own power. You cannot keep notes or routines in the calculator memory. Teachers will clear the calculator memory before you enter an exam room.

Banned items

Do not bring the following items into the exam room:

• correcting fluid

• books, written notes or electronic notes

• cellphones or pagers

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

• any electronic devices except approved calculators.

Emergency evacuation and student pack

To address concerns arising from the earthquakes in Christchurch, candidates are allowed to bring an emergency evacuation pack into the examination room with them. This must be a named, clear, seal-able plastic bag no larger than A4 size which may contain personal items such as a cell phone (switched off), keys, money, and a bus ticket. This is to be placed under the candidate’s chair during the examination and not touched unless an emergency evacuation is required. Candidates who open their pack during the examination will be reported for a breach of the rules.

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

• At all times, listen to and follow the instructions of the supervisor.

• Sit at the desk where you are told to sit. 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 you are told, check that all pages in each exam booklet are printed correctly.

• If you have any problems put up your hand.

During the exam

• Do not borrow equipment from someone else.

• Do not talk to, communicate with, or do anything to disturb other candidates.

• Do not read or copy another candidate’s work.

Writing your answers

• Follow all the instructions on the front cover of the exam booklet.

• Use only black or blue pen. Do not write in pencil unless instructed to do so.

• Write neatly, so the marker can read your answers.

• Cross out any work you do not want marked.

• Do not write to the marker or write in the part of the answer booklet ‘For assessor’s use only’.

• Do not write your answers for one standard in the answer booklet for another. If you have filled 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.