Because being in COVID-19 lockdown has affected learning and assessment, changes have been made to NCEA, NZ Scholarship and University Entrance. These changes help give students a fair opportunity to gain the qualification they are aiming for.

These changes affect Westlake Girls High School students because we will be at Alert Level 3 or 4 for a total of 20 or more school days this year.

What does this mean for students?

The more credits you achieve the more you are entitled to.

• For every 5 credits you achieve through internal or external assessment, you are entitled to 1 extra credit. These extra credits are called Learning Recognition Credits (LRCs)
  • Up to 10 of your LRC’s earned this year can be used towards the 80 you need for NCEA Level 1.
  • Up to 8 LRC’s earned this year can be used towards the 60 you need at Level 2 and Level 3.

Endorsements are still achievable.

• To get a certificate endorsement you will need 46 credits at Merit or Excellence level, instead of the usual 50.
• To get a course endorsement you will need 12 credits at Achieved or Merit or Excellence level in a course, rather than 14. You still need to achieve at least 3 credits in externals and 3 in internals.
• Your LRCs don’t come with Merit or Excellence, so they can’t count towards an endorsement.

University Entrance has been adjusted.

• For 2021 the UE requirements have been adjusted from 14 down to 12 credits in three UE-approved subjects. You still need to have NCEA Level 3 and the usual literacy and numeracy standards.

You’ve got more time to study.

• Most portfolio due dates and exams for NCEA and Scholarship have been moved later, to give more time for students to learn and prepare.

What do I need to do?

Keep working to make sure that you achieve as many standards as you can. Your teachers will help you to track your progress.

You don’t need to do anything else to get your LRCs. NZQA will do the calculations before you get your results.

Make sure that you know when your portfolios are due, and double check the new exam timetable.

If you need any more information, talk to your Deans or ring NZQA on 0800 697 296.