Brain power is in high demand all over New Zealand today as NCEA examinations begin.
The National Certificate of Educational Achievement is the main national qualification for secondary school pupils in New Zealand.
NCEA is recognised by employers, and used for selection by universities and polytechnics, both in New Zealand and overseas.
This year, 6498 Otago region pupils will be putting pen to paper for their exams.
Throughout the year, pupils have been completing internal assessments gaining credits to go towards their final mark but Thursday marked the beginning of their external exams.
Pupils typically sit NCEA level 1 exams in year 11, level 2 in year 12, and level 3 and NZ Scholarship in year 13.
Two hard at work studying are Bayfield High School pupils William Brundell, who sits his level 3 exams this year, and Ruth Bridgman, who sits her level 2 exams this year.
The pair said exam time was always stressful, but it was good going into them knowing you already had some credits behind you from gaining them throughout the year.
"By level 3, you sort of know what to expect,'' William said. "It was definitely the scariest when we first had to do exams in year 11.''
Ruth said the best way she prepared for her exams was just to "practise, practise, practise''.
Early in term 3 and 4, 661 students from six schools around the Otago region entered for NCEA digital examinations.
These are part of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's digital trials and pilots.
These digital exams do not count towards a pupil's NCEA but may provide evidence towards a derived grade (pre-existing standard-specific evidence of achievement may be given for a candidate whose performance in external assessments is impaired).
NCEA external exams will go from today through until December 1.
ELLA.STOKES @thestar.co.nz
NCEA IN OTAGO
Number of pupils in Otago sitting exams:
NCEA level 1: 2531
NCEA level 2: 2453
NCEA level 3: 1886
Total: 6498
(This figure is lower than the sum of the above numbers as pupils can enter into examinations at different NCEA levels or Scholarship.)
