NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement)
Background
- The official secondary school qualification in New Zealand.
- 3 levels in the three final years of high school (year 11-13)
Assessment
- To pass each level, students must gain certain credits at that level or above using a four-grade scale: Not Achieved (N), Achieved (A), Merit (M) and Excellence (E).
University Entrance
- Students can gain University Entrance if they successfully pass NCEA Level 3
- Gaining 14 credits in each of three Approved Subjects
- Achieving Literacy and Numeracy criterias.
CIE (Cambridge International Examinations)
Background
- Founded by the University of Cambridge, a provider of international qualifications, offering examinations and qualifications in more than 160 countries
Assessment
- Qualifications offered include:
• Cambridge International General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels)
• AICE Diploma (Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma)
• Cambridge Pre-U programme
• IGCSEs and Key Stage examinations for primary and secondary schools across the globe.
University Entrance
- Minimum of 120 points on the UCAS Tariff at A or AS level from an approved list.
- Plus a D grade or above in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).
- Similar to NCEA, literacy and numeracy standards are also required for CIE.
IB (International Baccalaureate)
Background
- Founded in 1968, the IB Diploma Programme offers four educational programmes for children aged 3–19 in 108 countries worldwide.
- A number of schools in New Zealand currently offer the IB including ACG Senior College, Auckland Diocesan School, Rangitoto College and John McGlashan College.
Assessment
- Criterion-based assessment system (Pupils are judged to have passed or failed depending on whether they reach a pre-determined score, not on how they compare to how everyone else does).
University Entrance
- Obtaining the full IB Diploma (24 points minimum).
- Completed with English as Language A1 at either Higher or Standard Level and;
- Mathematics subject satisfies the numeracy requirements for university entrance.