NCEA tool for parents and students

By Education Gazette editors

Issue: Volume 95, Number 7

Posted: 26 April 2016

Reference #: 1H9d1Q

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has developed two apps, the NCEA Guide and the NCEA Student App, that can be downloaded for free from the Apple and Google Play stores. They are available in English or Te Reo Māori.

NCEA Guide app

The ‘NCEA Guide’ App provides quick and easy access to key information about NCEA for parents.

It makes practical information about NCEA easily accessible and helps parents understand how NCEA works and how they can support their child studying NCEA.

The information in the app is laid out in a simple way, under two headings – How NCEA works and How to help my child. You’ll find answers to the following questions and much more:

What does NCEA stand for?
How is NCEA achieved?
What are standards and credits?
What are endorsements?
Where does University Entrance fit in?
How can I help my child choose the right subject
How can I help my child succeed in exams?
What does NCEA cost?
What key dates do I need to know?

There are also quick links to more information about topics, like University Entrance, and the study tips and tricks videos, on the NZQA website:
www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea(external link)

NCEA Student app

The NCEA Student App also helps parents to know what their child is studying and how they are progressing.

This app helps students set goals for further achievement and track their NCEA credit progress. It offers a standalone database with a powerful search engine which allows students to easily find NCEA courses and standards that they are doing, or would like to do.

Students and parents have been asking for information about NCEA and achievements to be accessible online, any time, and the App offers that on any mobile device.

It provides the ability to have specific discussions about:

setting NCEA credit goals and targets
progress towards NCEA Levels one, two and three, including Literacy, Numeracy and University Entrance
setting reminders for when assignments are due
recording results as they are achieved and cross checking them with the school or NZQA.

There are a range of apps available that offer information and advice about NCEA and tracking progress - NZQA encourages students to look at them with their families and choose the one that is best suited to their needs.