NCEA Exams, Information and Organisation

Exam Admission Slips:

These will be distributed to students by their Pastoral teacher during October. Students must have their exam admission slip with them to enter an exam. They must also not write on it in any way. 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 another member of SLT. 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 another member of SLT.

Students need to check their exam admission slip VERY carefully and see (or email) Mr Waterworth if there are any errors on it. They need to check the following:

1. That all of the standards they are sitting are listed on it.

2. If their entries are paper or digital.

3. If there are any standards on it that shouldn’t be.

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 or withdrawals 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 - a copy is attached.

Exam Reporting Times / Procedure:

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

Students should arrive at school no later than 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 will not be admitted to an exam room.

Phone calls will usually be made to parents / caregivers of students who are missing at the start of their exam, to check their whereabouts. So, if a student is not planning to attend they MUST inform Mr Waterworth in advance.

Uniform:

Students are required to wear full school (summer) uniform.

What to Bring to Your Exam:

The exam admission slip.

A clear pencil case or bag for your pens and stationary - black or blue pens only.

Calculator (only for subjects that allow them) - students are allowed to bring two.

Device (only for digital exams) and headphones for approved subjects.

If student's are sitting a scholarship paper please bring a photo ID.

Exam Rules / Expectations:

Students must follow the instructions of any supervisor.

You are not allowed to talk to, message, or distract other students.

Students are not allowed to leave the exam room during the first 45 minutes or the last 15 minutes of the exam.

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

No watches (digital or analog) are to be worn.

Students are not allowed to take any paper or any notes in any form to their desk.

Students are allowed an ‘emergency pack’ which is a clear plastic bag containing items such as a phone, bus pass, 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.

Breaking any of these rules may result in a ‘breach of exam conditions’ being reported to NZQA and jeopardize the student's result.

Toilet Breaks:

Students need to put their hand up if they need to go to the toilet during an exam.

Toilet breaks will be recorded and toilets are regularly checked.

Digital Exams:

It is crucial that students are organised and prepared for digital exams if they have a digital entry.

To prepare students need to:

1. 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 - this must be done AT LEAST 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE.

2. Check that they can login to their NZQA account. Students must see Mr Waterworth before the day if they aren’t able to login.

3. Complete NZQA’s ‘Digital exams device check’ and ‘Device set up’ checks. Aim to do this AT LEAST 7 DAYS IN ADVANCE. If this check reveals device issues, students should see Nathan - he will be able to help resolve them.

Food and Drink:

No food is allowed in the exam rooms.

Water is allowed. Water must be in clear plastic drink bottles with no stickers.

No other type of drink is allowed.

Derived Grades:

In some cases there may be a legitimate reason why a student can not sit an exam. Reasons may include 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 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 practice exams.

If there are any questions etc about the NZQA exam process, please make contact with Mr Waterworth mwaterworth@trinity.school.nz.