Exam Banter

Results from 2009 show (percentages from 2008 in brackets):

• Of 50,236 candidates gaining NCEA level 1, 11,367 or 22.6% (23.2% in 2008) gained a Merit endorsement and 3182 or 6.3% (5.9%) gained an Excellence endorsement.
  
  
• Of 41,710 students gaining NCEA level 2, 7204 or 17.3% (16.9%) gained a Merit endorsement and 2043 or 4.9% (4.1%) gained an Excellence endorsement.
  
  
• Of 22,520 candidates gaining NCEA level 3, 4785 or 21.2% (20.5%) gained a Merit endorsement and 1171 or 5.2% (4.8%) gained an Excellence endorsement.
  
  
• A total of 20,454 candidates gained University Entrance.

New Zealand Scholarship results will be delivered in mid-February.

National NCEA statistics will be available on the NZQA website by the end of March.

NZQA Deputy Chief Executive, Qualifications, Bali Haque said the results were encouraging.

"The results are consistent with previous years, but there is an overall increase in the proportion of students gaining endorsed certificates. This indicates that Certificate Endorsement is proving a motivating factor for students."

New Zealand is the only country in the world to return marked examination papers to candidates. This will take place from 18 January onwards, with papers delivered progressively over the following fortnight.

Following the return of marked papers, candidates have until 19 February to apply for reviews and reconsiderations.

A review may be requested if a candidate believes a processing error has been made, such as the incorrect transfer of grades.

Reconsideration is an application to have an examination re-marked. A $20 fee applies for each application for reconsideration - this is refunded if the application is successful.