‘Hiccups’ and euphoria accessing NCEA results

The results are out and online today, ready for 165,000 students waiting to learn the outcome of their end-of year National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) exams.

Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ) president Michael Williams said results day was a big one for both parents and students. There would be euphoria for those who received their desired results but there would also be disappointment.

‘‘It’s not a time for dramatic action. It’s really important that parents and students take a breath. There are lots of ways to achieve where you want to go to.’’

If year 13 students missed out on their required marks, Williams said they should talk to their school about the alternatives. The same went for level 1 and 2 students worried about missing out on course entry.

‘‘The reality is there is a month of school before university starts. It’s quite common for students to go back to school for a month and pick up those extra few credits they were short on.

‘‘Life is never as smooth as we want it to be. There’s always

‘‘It’s not a time for dramatic action.’’

Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand president

Michael Williams

hiccups. There is always different ways of achieving outcomes. The role of a parent is to help the students through that disappointment.’’

University courses with restricted access often had intakes after the first year, which could let students take an allied course before changing studies, he said.

There was also a small chance there had been a mistake in the marking of the paper but students concerned about this should talk to their teachers.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has extended its call centre hours for students’ specific queries about their results.

Assessment deputy chief executive Kristine Kilkelly said internet connectivity and the kind of device the student used to login could delay accessing the results online.