Year 11 · NCEA Level 1
NCEA Level 1 — and what's replacing it.
The Year 11 NCEA qualification, how it works today, and what changes when it disappears in 2028.
60 at L1+, plus 10 literacy and 10 numeracy.
From 2028.
What NCEA Level 1 is right now
NCEA Level 1 is the entry-level NCEA qualification, normally sat in Year 11. To earn it, students need 80 credits in total — at least 60 at Level 1 or above, plus 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits.
Credits come from a mix of internal assessments (essays, projects, oral work — marked by your school during the year) and external exams (the November NZQA exams). Each standard is graded Not Achieved, Achieved, Merit, or Excellence.
Why Level 1 is being scrapped
NCEA Level 1 has been controversial for years. Critics — including principals, the PPTA, and successive Education Ministers — argued it turned Year 11 into a credit-chase: students collecting just enough credits to pass, rather than mastering whole subjects.
In 2022, pilot results showed only 34% of students passed the writing standard. That fuelled the push for change. The Government’s 2025 review and 2026 announcement confirmed Level 1 would be removed entirely from 2028.
What replaces NCEA Level 1
From 2028, Year 11 becomes:
- Curriculum-led, not credit-led. No more banked credits at Year 11.
- Three compulsory subjects: English (or Te Reo Rangatira), Maths, Science.
- A separate Foundational Award recognising literacy and numeracy at a Year 11 standard. Students sit it when ready (typically in Year 11, but later is fine if not).
NCEA Level 1 vs the new Year 11
| Feature | NCEA Level 1 | New Year 11 (from 2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Unit | Credits from individual standards | Whole subjects + literacy/numeracy award |
| Pass threshold | 80 credits | Foundational Award + curriculum work |
| Compulsory subjects | None nationally — schools choose | English (or Te Reo Rangatira), Maths, Science |
| Outcome | NCEA Level 1 certificate | Foundational Award + readiness for NZCE |
Common questions
How many credits do you need to pass NCEA Level 1?
80 credits, with at least 60 at Level 1 or above, plus 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits.
Is NCEA Level 1 being removed?
Yes. From 2028, NCEA Level 1 is being scrapped. Year 11 students will instead study the new curriculum with compulsory English (or Te Reo Rangatira), Maths, and Science, and work toward a separate Foundational Award covering literacy and numeracy.
What's replacing NCEA Level 1?
The Foundational Award — a separate qualification recognising literacy and numeracy at a Year 11 level. Year 11 itself becomes curriculum-led rather than credit-led.
Do you have to do NCEA Level 1?
Under the current system, Level 1 is the first formal step on the NCEA ladder. Some schools have already made Level 1 optional. From 2028 it disappears entirely.
Is NCEA Level 1 easy?
Difficulty depends on the standards you choose and how internal vs external your subjects are. Many schools structure Level 1 specifically to build foundations, so passing 80 credits is achievable for most students who attend regularly and submit work.
Does NCEA Level 1 matter for university?
No directly — University Entrance is set at Level 3. But Level 1 lays the literacy and numeracy foundations that everything else builds on.