New Zealand High School System

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.