The Qualifications Authority is not just about the NCEA but it is our highest profile assessment, affecting 136,000 students, their families, schools and teachers. It has flow–on effects for students as they enter the tertiary sector.

This was my first exam season as Chief Executive of the Qualifications Authority – and the scale of the whole operation is undoubtedly impressive.

Across levels 1-3, students sat close to 1.9 million standards. More than half a million personalised exam booklets were printed and distributed to 405
exam centres.

Despite the large scale, we were all working towards a single, very personalised, goal – to ensure that each individual exam candidate was given the opportunity to perform at their best.

We like to say that exams are "business as usual" for the Qualifications Authority. Notwithstanding the huge effort involved, they are part of the core business of what we do. Our job is to ensure that the qualifications gained by learners are robust and therefore have value. That means making sure the exams accurately assess achievement.

It also means making sure that marking is consistent and reflects the achievement of the candidates. The marking process is robust and scrutinised with real-time checks everyday on the progress of marking which help identify potential anomalies.

Overall, I'm pleased that the NCEA is recognised in New Zealand, and overseas,
as the country's premier secondary school qualification.

Not only does the system work, it can easily be seen to be working. We aim to be transparent and involve the education sector in identifying and addressing any issues.

We have recently consulted and made changes for next year to the Result Notice and the Record of Learning. They have been redesigned to make learners' achievements more readily understandable to employers, tertiary education providers, and learners.

A summary of qualifications and achievements will be listed at the top of the
page and standards will be grouped by subject, rather than by their number.

It is a busy time of year for everyone – especially those of us in the
education sector. I hope you can have a relaxing holiday season and I look forward to working with you in the new year.

Dr Karen Poutasi
Chief Executive