Support a young person who missed NCEA credits

Missing out on NCEA credits can be disappointing, but it needn't stop a young person achieving their goals.

If you know someone who has missed credits they needed, first reassure them. Let them know they have options to get where they want, and that you're there to help.

When they're ready to talk – here are some next steps to think about. 

If your young person is going back to school without all the NCEA credits they need, here are things you can both do.

Check answers and marks

Once answers and marks are made available on the NZQA website (usually a few days after results release) you should encourage them to:

• confirm they have a grade score for everything they were expecting a mark for 
• consider their mark against what was required to meet the standard 
• speak to their teacher if they need a second opinion.

 If they need help understanding their online results, NZQA has a page explaining the layout of the results.

• NZQA website – Guide to online results

Note that paper-based exam booklets are no longer returned by post. The NZQA website has information about when exam materials will be returned.

NZQA website – return of exam material

Reviews and reconsiderations

If you find a mistake in the marks, you can ask the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for:

• a review – where results are checked
• a reconsideration – where answers are re-marked.

There's usually a fee for reconsiderations but you can ask for a waiver (exemption) in some cases.

• NZQA website - NCEA reviews, reconsiderations and fee waivers

Talk to the school

Suggest your young person talks to their teacher or student adviser about their options and goals. For example, can they:

• earn missing credits while they study at a higher NCEA level
• change some subjects and still achieve their goals.

Your young person may be able to enter the tertiary course they want without all the right credits.

Contact the education provider 

Contact the student advisers at the education provider to see if your young person is eligible for special entry without the usual NCEA credits.

• Courses database – search for course providers and their contact details

Find out if they can:

• start with a foundation or bridging course
• do a useful related course and then reapply for the course they want. For example, if they want to become a nurse they could complete a Certificate in Health Studies, which would earn them enough credits for a nursing degree course.

• Do a course or training without NCEA 

How to get more credits

It may be possible to make up missing credits before a tertiary course starts, either at school early in Term 1 or through Te Kura Summer School (online).

• Te Kura website – Summer School

Start tertiary or workplace learning while at school

Young people can also start tertiary study and get workplace learning alongside NCEA.

Programmes may be:

• at school through Gateway or STAR
• at a trades or services academy.

• Start tertiary or workplace learning while at school 

• Top 5 questions parents have about NCEA
• What is NCEA?
• Sign up to our e-newsletter for tips to support young people with their study and careers

Sources

• NZQA website, accessed January 2025, (www.nzqa.govt.nz).
• Te Kura website, accessed January 2025, (www.tekura.school.nz).