From 2 August to 1 October 2021, students and ākonga from more than 200 schools and kura across the country will be able to use NZQA’s digital exam platform to sit some of their practice exams.
The nine-week window allows schools and kura to pick a time that best suits them - some are starting in the next few weeks, with most running practice exams in mid-September.
"This is a great opportunity for schools and kura - and students and ākonga - to gain confidence and familiarity with using NCEA Online, and to test school systems. It can be beneficial for schools and kura that have never done digital exams and for those increasing their participation in digital exams”, says Andrea Gray, DCE Assessment responsible for digital transformation.
In a joined-up effort the exams have been prepared by subject associations and subject matter experts. They will be delivered by NZQA and administered, supervised and marked by the participating schools and kura, who have opted-in to do their practice exams this way.
Ākonga from these kura and schools can access their exams using the “Access your digital practice exam” tile on the NZQA home page or by logging in to their NZQA account.
NZQA home page (external link)
Digital practice exams are available for English, Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Classical Studies, Media Studies, Te Reo Māori and Te Reo Rangatira, at all NCEA levels.
Andrea says “Last year 96 schools and kura participated in digital practice exams using NCEA Online and we’re very pleased to see around 200 schools and kura are participating this year. It reflects the continuing growth of online assessment and supports what ākonga tell us about preferring to do exams online.”
NZQA is expecting all schools to have undertaken at least one digital exam by the end of 2022. This is part of preparing the way for offering new forms of external assessment as the new Achievement Standards are rolled out. These standards are being developed with a ‘digital-first’ approach in mind.
Starting 8 November 2021, NZQA will offer 67 digital NCEA end of year exams across 24 subjects at all levels.