NCEA Exams, Information and Organisation
By Mike Waterworth | Posted: Thursday October 23, 2025
NZQA exams start on Tuesday 4 November and run until Friday 28 November. 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 during October - we expect that to be during the week starting 20 October. Students must have their exam admission slip with them to enter an exam. If a student loses their Admission Slip they can print a new copy from their own NZQA login and get it verified (signed) by Mr Waterworth or Mr Read. If they can’t do this they will need to go to the main office to collect a copy and then get it signed by Mr Waterworth or Mr Read.
Students need to check their exam admission slip very carefully and see (or email) Mr Waterworth or Mr Read if there are any mistakes on it. Check that all externals are showing and if your entries are paper or digital.
Late entries won’t show on the exam admission slip and late withdrawals will still show on it. Mr Waterworth will print updated admission slips for students who have late entries at the end of October.
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 carefully (copy attached).
Exam Reporting Times/Procedure:
Morning exams start at 9:30am and afternoon exams at 2:00pm. Students should arrive at school 30 minutes prior to their exam starting time – 9:00am for a morning exam or 1:30pm for an afternoon exam.
Students need to check the whiteboard outside the Science Block (to the left of the Science Block doors) to find out what room they are in and should be waiting outside the correct room by 9:10am (morning exam) or 1:40pm (afternoon exam).
Students who have Special Assessment Conditions need to meet outside the door of D1.4 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.
Phone calls will be made to parents / caregivers of students who are missing at the start of their exam, to check their whereabouts.
Uniform:
Students are allowed to wear mufti.
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 of the room.
Pens (blue and black only) and other stationery must be in a clear plastic bag.
Where calculators are allowed, they must be on the approved calculators list – 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 desk.
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.
Students must stay in the exam room for the first 45 minutes and will not be allowed to leave during the last 15 minutes.
Breaking any of these rules may result in a ‘breach of exam conditions’ being reported to NZQA and jeopardize the student's result.
Written Exams:
Written exams are to be completed in blue or black pen, not pencil. Students should not write answers in red or green pen.
Digital Exams:
It is crucial that students are organised and prepared for digital exams. To prepare students need to:
Make sure they have a working and fully charged device - it isn’t possible to plug a charger in, inside the exam room. If a school loan device is needed, students can email Nathan Sortehaug (Computer Technician) on nsortehaug@trinity.school.nz.
Check that they can login to their NZQA account. Students must see Mr Waterworth before the day if they aren’t able to login. Complete NZQA’s ‘Digital exams device check’ and ‘Device set up’ checks.
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 odorless and 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. These are 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 Mr Waterworth or Mr Read as soon as possible – preferably before the exam.
If your application is for medical or trauma it will need to 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 make contact with Mr Waterworth mwaterworth@trinity.school.nz or Mr Read sread@trinity.school.nz