Changes to NCEA testing w/ University of Auckland Senior Lecturer of Education and Social Practice, Dr Lisa Darragh: 13th July, 2026

Currently, to be awarded NCEA at any level, students need to take a numeracy and reading test in year 10. According to a Qualifications Authority report, many students have yet to pass it due to its contextual and challenging nature. However, starting in 2028, the Ministry of Education will replace the numeracy test and NCEA as a whole with two new national qualifications: the New Zealand Certificate of Education for Year 12 and the New Zealand Advanced Certificate of Education for Year 13. As for the standard numeracy test of year 10, it will be replaced with a new qualification called the “foundational award”, which will be taken during year 11 instead.  Many are concerned that the new “foundational award” will be harder on students, with higher stakes. Leading to more implications down the line. To learn more about this change, the differences between the examinations and their possible future implications, producer Jude spoke with University of Auckland Senior Lecturer, Dr Lisa Darragh.