NCEA L1 Music
NCEA Level 1 Music
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ExploreAbout this exam
NCEA Level 1 Music is the first year of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement in Music, offered within The Arts learning area of the New Zealand Curriculum. It is designed for Year 11 students and other learners working at Level 6 of the curriculum who want formal recognition of their musical skills, whether they perform, compose, or study music as part of a broad education. The subject is assessed through both internal assessment and external assessment (exams), as NZQA's Music subject page states. Internally assessed standards are typically built around performance and composition work, while externally assessed standards are examined at the end of the year. NZQA publishes Level 1 Music achievement standards, the Level 1 assessment matrix, assessment specifications, past exams, exemplars, assessment schedules and reports, and conditions of assessment, all of which are the authoritative place to confirm exactly which standards are offered in a given year. There is also a national moderator's report and clarification guidance for internally assessed work. To prepare, start from the Level 1 standards list and the assessment matrix, read the assessment specifications for any externally assessed standard, then work through past exams and exemplars. Check the exam timetable and candidate information sheet before the external examination period, and confirm details with your teacher, since NZQA does not list a single question count, duration, pass mark or fee for this subject on its Music page.
What you'll study
About NCEA L1 Music preparation
How is NCEA Level 1 Music assessed?
Through a mix of internal assessment and external assessment (exams), as stated on NZQA's Music subject page. Internal standards are assessed during the year by your school against NZQA conditions of assessment; external standards are examined at the end of the year. Your teacher can confirm which standards your class is entering.
How many credits or questions are there, and how long is the exam?
NZQA's Music subject page does not state a credit total, question count, or exam duration for Level 1 Music. Those details sit in the Level 1 achievement standards, the assessment matrix, and the assessment specifications. Check those documents and your school's course outline rather than relying on a general figure.
What is the pass mark or grade boundaries?
No pass mark is published on the Music subject page. NZQA links to cut scores, described as past scores for exams for all levels, which show where boundaries have previously fallen. Treat cut scores as historical information, not a guarantee, and ask your teacher about the current year's boundaries.
Can I resit or retake an external Music exam?
The Music subject page does not set out a retake policy. External assessment happens in the annual exam period, and opportunities to reassess internally assessed standards are decided by your school within NZQA's rules. Ask your teacher or the school's NZQA liaison about your specific situation.
What should I study first?
Begin with the Level 1 Music achievement standards list and the Level 1 assessment matrix to see exactly what is assessed. Then read the Level 1 assessment specifications for external standards, and work through past exams, exemplars, and assessment schedules. The exemplars show the standard of work expected, which is often more useful than the wording of the standard alone.
Where do I find past exams and exemplars?
NZQA's Music page links to Level 1 past exams, exemplars, assessment schedules, and reports, plus internal exemplars for internally assessed standards. There is also a national moderator's report on issues and trends in assessment and a clarifications page, which are useful for understanding where candidates commonly lose marks.
Is there extra material for aural skills and score conventions?
Yes. The Music page lists a Music aural skills and transcription resource for use with standards 91275 and 91420, and a document on conventions common to scores in any style for standards 91094, 91276, and 91421. Instrumental performance guidelines are listed for standards 91949, 91270, and 91416. Check with your teacher which of these apply to your course.
What do candidates most often get wrong?
The page points to a national moderator's report covering issues and trends in assessment, and to clarifications on assessment and moderation. These are the best sources on common problems. In practice, check conditions of assessment for internal work and the assessment specifications for external standards before submitting or sitting, because requirements differ between standards.
Is this an official NZQA page?
No. This is an independent study guide and is not affiliated with NZQA. All official information, including standards, specifications, exemplars, cut scores, and the exam timetable, should be confirmed on NZQA's own Music pages or through your school.