NCEA Level 2 Health Education
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ExploreAbout this exam
NCEA Level 2 Health is the Level 2 component of the New Zealand Health learning area, described by NZQA as being about the wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities, and about developing an understanding of the factors that influence the health of these groups. It sits within the Health and Physical Education learning area of the New Zealand Curriculum and is intended for secondary students working at Level 2 of the NCEA qualification, typically in Year 12, although your school may organise its courses differently and may use its own course names - NZQA notes that the subject names listed on its site are the official ones, so ask your kaiako if you are unsure which subject a course belongs to. Assessment at Level 2 combines internal and external assessment: internally assessed standards are marked by your school against national conditions of assessment, while external standards are examined at the end of the year. NZQA publishes the Level 2 achievement standards themselves, past exams, exemplars, assessment schedules and reports, and the latest Level 2 assessment specifications, all of which are the practical starting points for preparation. A good study sequence is to read the standards to see exactly what evidence each requires, check the assessment specifications for the external standards you are entering, then work through past exams and exemplars alongside the assessment schedules and national moderator's reports so you understand how judgements are made. Note that Health is no longer offered at Level 1; Health Studies is the new Level 1 subject.
What you'll study
About NCEA Level 2 Health Education preparation
What is NCEA Level 2 Health?
It is the Level 2 part of the Health learning area. NZQA describes Health as being about the wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities and about understanding the factors that influence their health. Assessment at Level 2 includes both internal and external assessment, and NZQA publishes the Level 2 achievement standards, past exams, exemplars and assessment specifications.
Who is it for?
Students working at Level 2 of NCEA who are interested in wellbeing, health promotion and the factors that shape health outcomes for individuals, whānau and communities. Your school decides which courses it offers, and NZQA notes schools may use their own course names, so check with your kaiako which standards your course covers.
How is it assessed?
Through a mix of internal and external assessment. Internal standards are assessed in school under the Level 2 internal conditions of assessment published for this subject. External standards are examined, and NZQA provides past exams, exemplars, assessment schedules and reports, plus the latest Level 2 assessment specifications, for those.
How do I find out the exam date and time?
Use NZQA's exam timetable, which is linked from the Health subject page under useful exam information, together with the candidate information sheet. Those pages carry the current official details, so check them rather than relying on what other students say.
Where do I start when preparing?
Read the Level 2 achievement standards first to see exactly what evidence each standard requires. Then get the latest Level 2 assessment specifications for the external standards you are entering, and work through past exams and exemplars with the assessment schedules so you can see how evidence is judged.
What are the most useful official resources?
The Level 2 achievement standards, the Level 2 past exams, exemplars, assessment schedule and reports, the Level 2 assessment specifications, the internal exemplars for internally assessed standards, the national moderator's report, and Health clarifications. The clarifications page carries updates on assessment and moderation that can affect how a standard is interpreted.
What if I disagree with a grade or want to know about resubmission?
Those processes are set by NZQA and your school, not by this page. Ask your kaiako or your school's NZQA liaison about resubmission, further assessment opportunities and reviews or appeals, and check the conditions of assessment for the standards you are entered for.
Is Health available at Level 1?
No. NZQA states that Health is no longer available at Level 1, and that Health Studies, a new subject on the New Zealand Curriculum, is now available at NCEA Level 1. Health achievement standards are listed at Level 2 and Level 3, with a separate New Zealand Scholarship standard.
How can teachers or assessors get support?
NZQA's Assessor Support pages cover online resources and workshops for assessment practice. There is also the Assessor Practice Tool for practising judgements on full samples of student work, a request form for clarifying a standard, remote assessment guidance and alternative evidence gathering templates.
Where can I find career information linked to Health?
NZQA points to Tahatū Career Navigator for tools and information to make career plans and decisions. Your school's careers adviser can help you connect Health study to pathways such as health promotion, community wellbeing and related health-sector roles.