What the co-requisite assessment is#

To gain an NCEA qualification at Level 1, 2 or 3, your child will also need to show that they have foundational reading, writing, and numeracy skills. They do that by achieving the NCEA literacy and numeracy co-requisite.

Students must pass these tests in literacy and numeracy to get their NCEA qualifications.

How students achieve the co-requisite assessment#

Between 2024–2027, students can get the NCEA co-requisite in 2 different ways.

1. Common assessment activities#

Teachers will organise these online assessments for your child, and they can sit the test when they’re ready. They can do it as early as Year 9, all the way through to Year 13.

2. Achieve 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits#

There is a list of different literacy and numeracy standards that your child can take, and if they achieve them, they will achieve the NCEA co-requisite.

You can talk to your child’s school about the standards that are available.

When students take the co-requisite assessment#

Your child can achieve the NCEA co-requisite any time in their NCEA journey. They will have a lot of opportunities to try.

Your child only needs to achieve the NCEA co-requisite once.

Te Reo Matatini and Pāngarau#

Some kura and schools offer the NCEA co-requisite assessments in te reo Māori. You can ask if this is an option at your child’s school.

How you can support your child#

Talk to their school and their teachers#

You could ask about:

• ways to improve their literacy and numeracy skills
• how they are assessing the co-requisite
• ways they recommend supporting your child at home.

Practise at home#

Look for opportunities to practise those skills at home. Practising reading, writing, and maths can help them develop the skills they need to achieve the co-requisite.

Do practice tests#

Help them practise using online assessments. Past exams and practice tests can help them get comfortable with the NCEA co-requisite, so that they feel confident and prepared for their assessment at school.