NZ Scholarship Chinese

Students enrolled in a consented New Zealand secondary school can enter. You do not have to be working towards NCEA to enter. Entry is arranged through your school, so talk to your teacher, since not all schools enter students for Scholarship and some enter only a small number of subjects.

It depends on the subject. Assessment is by either a written or spoken examination, or by submission of a portfolio or report of work produced throughout the year. Each assessment has between 3 and 5 parts, and your score for each part is added up to give your final result.

Assessments are designed to be challenging for the most able students in each subject. To be awarded, you are expected to show deep understanding, high-level critical thinking, and the ability to apply your understanding to complex situations. An answer scoring 8 is outstanding in all respects - accurate, comprehensive, coherent, lucid and perceptive.

Markers give a score of 0 to 8 for each part of the assessment. A score of 1 shows little understanding relevant to the question, and 0 is for blank or irrelevant answers. You need to reach a set cut score for Scholarship or Outstanding Scholarship. Scripts close to either cut score are re-marked to ensure results are correct.

The number available in a subject is limited to around 3% of the number of students who achieve 14 or more credits in that subject at NCEA Level 3. There is some variation around the 3%, mainly for subjects with few candidates at NCEA Level 3.

NZ Scholarship results are released in mid-February each year. Soon after results are released, your assessed work will be available through your learner login. Visual Arts portfolios are returned in December, following the completion of marking.

Yes. If you believe an error has been made in marking, you can apply for a reconsideration or review. There is a limited time from when your assessed work is available or your portfolio is returned in which you can apply, so check the deadlines and act promptly rather than waiting.

There is no charge for domestic student entry for NZ Scholarship. If you are an international student, you will need to pay to enter; check the secondary education fees information for the amount that applies to you before confirming entry with your school.

Students who achieve NZ Scholarship can receive a monetary award, ranging from a one-off $500 payment for a single subject award to $10,000 per year for up to 3 years for premier award winners. Payment requires enrolment in tertiary study at an approved New Zealand provider in a course approved by StudyLink.

Yes. It is possible to defer the monetary award for up to 4 consecutive years if you are still at school or not planning to enter tertiary study straight away. For awards with payments across more than one year, you must maintain a 'B' grade average in your tertiary study each year.