The smooth running of exams depends on school managers establishing protocols and a working relationship with the Examination Centre Manager (ECM).
Communicating these with staff and students ensures everyone is working towards the same goal.
The ECM and Exam Centre Officers (ECOs) are employed by NZQA to administer the exams according to the NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023.
NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards, and Candidates 2023
Becoming an Examination Centre
To become an examination centre, schools and kura must meet specific criteria.
Please email for further information:
examcentremanagement@nzqa.govt.nz
Recruiting your Examination Centre Manager
The Principal’s Nominee (PN) is responsible for the nomination, each year, of the school’s Examination Centre Manager (ECM).
Further information about the Role Description and the Recruitment Guide can be found through the ECM Recruitment link on the school's secure NZQA website.
Examination Centre Manager role
Working with the Examination Centre Manager
The PN and the ECM should meet by early Term 4.
Working with the Examination Centre Manager
Preparing for digital examinations
Getting ready for digital exams provides technical and digital exam support requirements for schools, such as:
- preparing students
- checking internet capacity
- preparing exam spaces
- checking devices
- knowing where to get support
- some digital exams frequently asked questions.
Get your school ready for digital exams (external link)
Briefing students
The PN and the ECM should also meet with exam candidates before they go on exam leave.
Other students also need to be briefed and managed during the examination period.
Briefing school staff
The PN should also ensure the school staff and the other students are aware of their responsibilities during the exam period.
Managing late external entries
The PN must have a process for managing late entries for external examinations.
This will involve:
- communicating all late entries to the ECM
- developing Late Entry Attendance Rolls
- ensuring students are provided with updated admission slips.
Examination timetable clashes
The PN should ensure that where a timetable clash occurs, students are informed of its impact and the arrangements made to resolve the clash.
Requests to change an examination centre
The PN should refer all requests by students to change an examination centre to NZQA.