Creating options with dual qualifications pathway
As laid out in our all-round educational philosophy, King’s offers students a choice: they can work towards one of two well-respected qualifications. These are the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) and the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Both pathways allow students to attain University Entrance.
From year 12, students have access to both NCEA and CIE pathways. In years 9, 10, and 11, they are encouraged to consider which option they will choose. One primary way to do this is to consider which assessment style they prefer. While CIE is examination-based, NCEA combines exams with internal assessments throughout the course.
Both qualification pathways are equally valid; one is not better than the other. The key is to match preferences for assessment to the path chosen.
We encourage all our students to read through the CIE and NCEA pathway descriptions for each subject, take note of prerequisites for any subjects they are hoping to take in the future, and consider the assessments and workload across all of their subjects. Students with a mix of CIE and NCEA courses need to be aware that they must gain their University Entrance from one pathway only.
In Year 12 and 13 students make a choice between CIE and NCEA, determining the qualification they will earn in each subject. At this stage, whichever pathway they choose they should keep in mind any prerequisites (both subjects and levels of achievement) for courses they are hoping to study at university.
Our top priority is encouraging our students to reach their highest potential. The dual qualification pathways enable us to tailor learning and assessment styles to the unique needs of each individual, giving them the best possible chance to excel.
