All students who are sitting NCEA external exams should read through the following information about their upcoming exams. The 2023 exam timetable is attached.

If there are any questions or problems you need to email or see Mrs McDonald or Ms Page.

NCEA Exams, Information, and Organisation

NZQA exams start on Monday 6 November and run until Thursday 30 December. A copy of the exam timetable has been emailed to all students, is available on the NZQA website, and is attached.

Exam Admission Slips:

These will be distributed to students on November 1st. Students must have their exam admission slip with them to enter an exam. If a student loses their Admission Slip they can get a copy from Mrs McDonald or Ms Page.

Students need to check their exam admission slip carefully and see Mrs McDonald if there are any mistakes on it. Late entries won’t show on the exam admission slip and late withdrawals will still show on it.

Candidate Information Sheet:

All students will also be given a copy of the Candidate Information Sheet. This is information, rules and instructions from NZQA. Students should read through this information - a copy is attached.

Exam Reporting Times/Procedure:

Morning exams start at 9:30 am and afternoon exams at 2:00 pm.

Students should arrive at school 30 minutes prior to their exam starting time – 9:00 am for a morning exam or 1:30 pm for an afternoon exam. All students are to meet in Studio 1.

Students who have Special Assessment Conditionsalos need to meet in Studio One by 9:10am (morning exam) or 1:40pm (afternoon exam).

If students arrive more than 30 minutes after the official start time they cannot be admitted to an exam room.

Uniform:

Students to wear school uniform

Watches:

No watches (digital or analog) are allowed inside the exam room.

Exam rules:

Students must follow the instructions of any supervisor.

Bags are not allowed at the desks – the exam supervisors will instruct students to leave them outside or at the front/back of the room.

Pens (blue and black only) and other stationery must be in a clear plastic bag.

Only approved calculators are allowed – memories will be checked and cleared before the exam starts.

Students are not allowed to have any paper, any notes in any form, or a watch of any type, at their desks.

Students are not allowed to borrow any equipment from someone else during the exam.

Students are allowed an ‘emergency pack’ which is a clear plastic bag containing items such as a phone, keys, money etc. This must be in a clear plastic bag and stored under the chair and must not be touched or opened during the exam.

Phones must be in bags or the emergency pack and must be turned off. Students are not allowed to have a phone on their body even if it is turned off.

Food and Drink:

Food is discouraged but allowed with the following restrictions:

Small amounts of food only, packed in a clear plastic bag.

Food must be able to be eaten silently.

Lollies etc must be unwrapped before entering the exam room.

Clear plastic drink bottles only with no stickers.

No hot drinks or hot food.

Derived Grades:

In some cases, there may be a legitimate reason why a student can not sit an exam – acute illness at the time of the exam; significant conditions diagnosed or a traumatic event; a current or sudden and significant change to a long term illness; trauma, misadventure or exceptional circumstances.

In these situations a student may be able to apply for a derived grade. They will need to meet NZQA’s criteria for the awarding of a derived grade.

Any student in this situation needs to contact Mrs McDonald or Ms Page as soon as possible – preferably before the exam.

If your application is for medical or trauma it must be supported by an independent registered professional. If it is for an event or misadventure it must be supported with relevant documentary evidence.

If a derived grade is approved and awarded it will come from an authentic school result for that standard – usually from school exams.

If there are any questions etc please contact Mrs McDonald halina.mcdonald@scc.school.nz or Ms Page mandy.page@scc.school.nz.