NCEA results out today will show lockdown effect

WELLINGTON: The ‘‘Covid generation’’ of pupils rocked by last year’s lockdowns will find out today how much the disruption has affected their exam results.

Results for all of the 140,000 pupils in the national certificate of educational achievement (NCEA) will be posted on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority exam hub at some time this morning.

Secondary Principals Association president Deidre Shea said schools would only find out then whether their pupils’ achievement had fallen due to the sevenweek national school shutdown for most pupils from March 25 to May 13 and the twoweek Auckland lockdown in August.

‘‘Some of the impacts are still uncertain, we are not quite sure how they will play out,’’ she said.

In a normal year, pupils need 80 credits to get NCEA level 1, 60 credits at level 2 or above plus 20 at any level to get NCEA level 2, and 60 credits at level 3 plus 20 from level 2 or above to get NCEA level 3.

To compensate for the Covid lockdowns, pupils getting their results tomorrow will get one bonus credit for every four credits they achieve in Auckland, and one bonus credit for every five they achieve outside Auckland, up to maximums of 16 bonus credits at level 1 and 12 at levels 2 and 3 in Auckland, or 10 at level 1 and eight at levels 2 and 3 elsewhere.

University entrance requirements have been reduced from 14 to 12 credits in three approved UE subjects.

Universities have said that they will be ‘‘open to considering a recommendation’’ from schools to admit students who still miss out on UE because of Covid disruptions. NZQA returns marked papers to pupils from late January, after which they can apply for a review or reconsideration.

Results for scholarship exams are due to be released on February 4. NZQA has extended its call centre opening hours until 8pm today, to answer specific queries pupils may have about their NCEA results.

NZQA call centre 0800 697296 or helpdesk@nzqa.govt. nz