Senior students need to understand Wellington College’s assessment policy and procedures as they navigate the NCEA years. This FAQ will clarify some of the most important aspects of the assessment policy for them to understand.
You can also download a brochure that explains NCEA by going to this link: Guide to NCEA Brochure
What happens if I breach the rules of an assessment?
All work submitted for assessment purposes must be your own work.
For long-term assessments, working drafts may need to be submitted. Where evidence indicates that work presented for internal assessment is not your own work, a Not Achieved grade will be awarded.
Breaches of the rules include plagiarism, impersonation, false declarations of authenticity, cheating and all forms of collusion in tests and exams.
Should a possible breach of the rules occur, the HOD will consult with DP Curriculum (Ms Lendrum), who will make a final decision about the appropriate response.
What if I want my grade reconsidered?
You have the right to a reconsideration of any assessment-related decisions, including breaches of the rules, missed and late assessments, as well as grades awarded for assessments.
Reconsiderations are to be made within five school days from the time of the event, or once assessed work is returned and gone over by the teacher.
What is the process for a reconsideration?
For all reconsiderations, a Reconsideration Application Form is to be completed by the student and handed to the appropriate HOD to process.
If the matter remains unresolved with the HOD, the Curriculum Deputy Principal may be involved in the decision if needed. Students will need to complete the Unresolved Reconsideration Application Form and the decision made on the reconsideration by the HOD/Ms Lendrum will be final.
What happens if I am absent from an assessment or miss a deadline?
Missing a deadline or absence from an assessment will result in no credit being awarded for that standard.
If you have already been given an adequate opportunity to achieve the standard, a Not Achieved grade will be awarded.
However, if circumstances causing lateness/absence have been discussed with the appropriate HOD, are deemed legitimate, and supported by a doctor’s certificate in the case of illness, the following outcomes may be possible:
provide a specified time extension to submit work for assessment (e.g. an assignment)
schedule the assessment at another agreed time
provide a further assessment opportunity
use relevant standard-specific evidence to award a grade
no credit awarded.
What happens if I need to apply for an extension?
To apply for an extension, you must download and complete the Extension Application Form and give it to the HOD.
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you must apply for extensions before the due date.
What do I need to do to withdraw from a standard?
In certain circumstances, some students might request be entered in a reduced number of standards within a course.
When withdrawals do occur, these are to be made in consultation with the student.
For externals, any final withdrawals must occur before 1 September, and for internals, prior to 1 December.
Please note - If you have already been given an adequate opportunity to achieve the standard, a Not Achieved grade will be awarded and no withdrawal can take place.
How many chances do I get to attempt a standard?
There will be one assessment opportunity for each internal standard.
However, for some nominated standards, one further assessment opportunity will be provided in a year.
Also, specific aspects of a completed assessment can be reviewed, called ‘Resubmission’. If it is available, only one resubmission opportunity is given per assessment per year.
Please note: A student has access to an Achieved grade only from a resubmission. A resubmission:
can be offered to individually identified students to correct a minor error and gain the grade of Achieved.
does not allow students to gain Merit or Excellence grades.
Full details relating to the standards being assessed, including whether further assessment opportunities and resubmission are available for standards, will be provided by departments in student course information at the start of the year.