Overview

This page contains the latest NZQA Standards file (zipped) and instructions on how to load.

Changes to Standards File Format

Choose one of two Standards files

From releases 71.22 there are two versions of the Standards file, please read carefully and ensure you download the correct file.

Instructions

To import the standards file follow the steps below (click on blue link)

Importing NZQA Standards File

Download and save the Standards .zip file

Extract the Standards???.tab from the zip file into a location that Synergetic can access

In Synergetic navigate to: Students Menu → Student Data Import/Export → NZQA tab

Select the Year
Select the "Import Standards File" radio button
Browse to the saved .tab file
Select the Standards?????.tab file
Click Open
You should now be back at the NZQA tab - click OK to Import Standards file

File should be successfully imported

Standards Files

Release Date

Standards File

Notes

12 Mar 2025

Standards20250311.zip

Posted on Wednesday, March 12 2025.

NZQA supplied the Word document: 2025-03-12 Standard Changes.docx which I have included in the Standards Zip file for you to download.

Also from NZQA:

Kia ora koutou,

Please find attached the latest monthly standards file and as promised, a list of changes to standards from 2024 to 2025.

You will note that there are quite a few changes in this iteration of the standards file.

Therefore, you will need to ensure your schools/applications have the most up-to-date standards file loaded so that entries from 1 April are accurate with respect to, for example, the number of events offered, whether a standard is an examination or a submission, digital or paper, etc.

Thank you for your patience while we prepared this update.

Ngā mihi,

NZQA

12 Feb 2025

Standards20250212.zip

Posted on Wednesday, February 12 2025.

No notes from NZQA.

10 Jan 2025

Standards20250110.zip

Posted on Wednesday, January 15 2025.

No notes from NZQA.

13 Dec 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards20241213.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards20241213 New Format .zip

Kia ora koutou,

The December instances of the monthly standards files are attached, and include changes made to standards for 2025. New versions of the standards were published by NZQA on 10 December. There may be a small number of additional changes in subsequent files between January and March.

See NZQA email: NZQA Standards Changes - December 2024.docx

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

Remember that you must upgrade to the latest version of Synergetic by the end of 2024 as NZQA will cease providing the pre 71.21 version of the Standards file this year (2024).

12 Nov 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards 20241112.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards 20241112 New Format.zip

Kia ora koutou,

Attached is the monthly standards file (both formats) for Nov 2024.

Thanks,

Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics | Te Tauanga Hinengaro, Pūrongo, Tatauranga

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

Remember that you must upgrade to the latest version of Synergetic by the end of 2024 as NZQA will cease providing the pre 71.21 version of the Standards file this year (2024).

14 Oct 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards 20241014.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards 20241014 New Format.zip

Kia ora all,

Attached is the Monthly Standards File for October (in both formats).

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

Remember that you must upgrade to the latest version of Synergetic by the end of 2024 as NZQA will cease providing the pre 71.21 version of the Standards file this year (2024).

10 Sep 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards 20241010.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards 20241010 New Format .zip

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

Notes From NZQA

Kia ora

Please find attached the monthly standard files for September. Note that no standards were new or removed this month

Also please note that NZQA have updated the internal moderation cover sheet on their website.

Internal moderation :: NZQA

Regards

PRS Team, NZQA

09 Aug 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards20240809.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards20240809 New Format.zip

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

10 Jul 2024

Version 71.21 and Earlier

Standards20240710.zip

Version 71.22 and Later

Standards20240710 New Format.zip

Download and use the version appropriate for the Version of Synergetic your school is on.

The new format contains the changes NZQA released in April. See Discourse - NZQA: (2024) Data Exchange (Standards) Annual Changes (April Revision). These were released in Version 71.22.

Notes from NZQA:

Standards where "Translated Paper Available" has changed from Y to N

Translations for New Zealand Curriculum Level 1 submitted assessment tasks will not be available in 2024. NZQA is committed to reviewing this for 2024. Translations for end-of-year examinations will be available on request as with previous year.

The following standards have been updated to reflect this decision:

Standards where "Translated Paper Available" has changed from Y to N

L1-AGRI-SU	NCEA L1 Agricultural and Horticultural Science (SU)	91931
L1-CHBI-SU	NCEA L1 Chemistry and Biology (SU)	92022
L1-COMM-SU	NCEA L1 Commerce (SU)	92031
L1-DANC-S1	NCEA L1 Dance (S1)	91938
L1-DANC-S2	NCEA L1 Dance (S2)	91939
L1-DIGI-SU	NCEA L1 Digital Technologies (SU)	92007
L1-DRAM-S1	NCEA L1 Drama (S1)	91942
L1-DRAM-S2	NCEA L1 Drama (S2)	91943
L1-GEOG-SU	NCEA L1 Geography (SU)	91934
L1-HEAS-SU	NCEA L1 Health Studies (SU)	92011
L1-HIST-SU	NCEA L1 History (SU)	92027
L1-MAPT-S1	NCEA L1 Materials and Processing Technology (S1)	92014
L1-MAPT-S2	NCEA L1 Materials and Processing Technology (S2)	92015
L1-MAST-SU	NCEA L1 Mathematics and Statistics (SU)	91946
L1-NZSL-S1	NCEA L1 New Zealand Sign Language (S1)	92357
L1-NZSL-S2	NCEA L1 New Zealand Sign Language (S2)	92358
L1-PESS-SU	NCEA L1 Physics and Earth Space Science (SU)	92046
L1-PHED-S1	NCEA L1 Physical Education (S1)	92018
L1-PHED-S2	NCEA L1 Physical Education (S2)	92019
L1-RELI-SU	NCEA L1 Religious Studies (SU)	91919
L1-SCIE-SU	NCEA L1 Science (SU)	91923
L1-SOCI-SU	NCEA L1 Social Studies (SU)	92051
L1-VISU-V1	NCEA L1 Visual Arts (V1)	91914
L1-VISU-V2	NCEA L1 Visual Arts (V2)	91915

This information was communicated to schools in the June 2024 EmailLink (accessible here: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/publications/newsletters-circulars/emaillink/june-2024-4/#e23557_heading1)

The following standard was also incorrectly reported as being available as a Digital Exam, this has now been corrected.

S-CHIN

Scholarship Chinese

93005

19 Jun 2024

Standards20240619.zip

June file re-issued to fix Standards: 91320, 91321, 91322, 91323, 91455, 91456, 91457, 91458.

See email from NZQA:

NZQA email 19 June 2024

From: Team Mailbox Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 1:29 PM
To: -
Subject: Monthly Standards Files - 19 June 2024

Kia ora koutou,

Apologies for an out of cycle monthly standards file, however we have identified an issue with the standards below and this update is to correct their information to their opportunity being available for DS and PS

91320, 91321, 91322, 91323, 91455, 91456, 91457, 91458

...

Thanks,

Graduate Data Analyst

Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics | Te Tauanga Hinengaro, Pūrongo, Tatauranga

10 Jun 2024

Standards20240610.zip

Posted on 11 Jun 2024

10 May 2024

Standards20240510.zip

Email from NZQA.

NZQA Standards email 10/05/2024

From: Team Mailbox Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2024 1:30 PM
Subject: Monthly Standards File - May 2024

Kia ora koutou,

Please find attached the May Monthly Standards file. I have also included the new format file mentioned in previous communications.

Standards 10 May 2024.zip

Usual format files.
One change made to the Literacy, Numeracy, and UE Numeracy columns (again), to identify the restricted usage standards here: https://ncea.education.govt.nz/standards-approved-ncea-co-requisite-2024-and-2025
Code “R”
Updated SMS Specification Document (4.2) included, with updated highlighting for ease of navigation.
New and Removed Standards file included.

New Format Standards 10 May 2024.zip

New format files.
Two changes made to what was previously communicated:

One change made to the Literacy, Numeracy, and UE Numeracy columns (again), to identify the restricted usage standards here: https://ncea.education.govt.nz/standards-approved-ncea-co-requisite-2024-and-2025
Code “T R”
The feedback on the proposed “exclusions” column was that it was a good idea, but you wanted to know which standards they were.
I’ve conducted my analysis to determine if this information can be provided, to ensure it didn’t blow out the files phenomenally and good news, it didn’t.
The column is “| delimited and includes every standard that the given standard could be excluded with.

Updated SMS Specification Document (4.3) included, with updated highlighting for ease of navigation.
No New and Removed Standards file, it would be the same as the other one.

In other news, I am aware of unanticipated changes re Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy, and UE Numeracy requirements in the results file (specifically historical meeting of requirements).

We are looking into this situation and what is possible to aid accurate reporting of this information, and we will update you as we progress.

Cheers,

Team Leader

11 Apr 2024

Standards20240411.zip

Distributed on 12 Apr 2024

NZQA April Communication

Kia ora koutou,

In this update, I’d like to discuss the regular update, proposed changes to the standards file, a largely widespread concern schools have been raising with us, and finally detail all changes to externally assessed standards as part of this regular update.

Monthly Standards File Update

Please find attached the updated Monthly Standards file for April 2024.

Changes to externally assessed standards are detailed at the end of this email.

Proposed Change to Standards File

L1 Literacy Column
- We are proposing expanding this column to 5 characters, as opposed to the current 1 character.
- This is to allow the various different methods, and lists of standards, to be more clearly identified.
- Proposed values:
  - T = Transition List (both NZC and Te Reo Matatini)
  - T NZC = Literacy Transition List Only
  - T TRM = Te Reo Matatini Transition List Only
  - T R = Transition List (Restricted Usage)
  - C NZC = NZC Corequisite
  - C TRM = Te Reo Matatini Corequsite
  - N = Not Applicable

New Field “Exclusion Pair Exists”
- One character field “Y/N”
- Indicates if this standard has an exclusion with at least one other standard.
- For more information about exclusions please see our website: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/standards-exclusion-list/
- This allows any reporting that you provide schools to have a cautionary note applied to it, if you so wish, as the credits from this standard may be excluded by another.
- It is not a perfect solution but does allow some certainty/uncertainty to be communicated to your users.

I have attached the draft document to this email, we can provide these updates as soon as you’re able to receive them.

We are happy to provide two copies of the standards file moving forward, one with and one without these changes so you can transition at your leisure, until we retire the old version at the start of 2025.

Invalid Assessment Method

Some of you may have received queries from your schools regarding this warning.

This message appears, because we have not received an (or received the wrong) assessment method for the externally assessed entry.

The difference between the error and the warning version of this message is whether there is one or more assessment methods available for the opportunity.

When there is only one, we raise a warning, as the system can safely create the entry with the only available assessment method.

When there is more than one, we raise an error, as we cannot assume what the school was intending.

Please ensure your system is providing assessment methods for all externally assessed entries. While the warning does not prevent entries being created, it is causing undue alarm for the schools.

Changes to Externally Assessed Standards

12 Mar 2024

Standards20240312.zip

NZQA Standards Email 20240312.docx

NZQA March Standards Email (As Images)

09 Feb 2024

Standards20240209.zip

Posted on Friday, February 09 2024

12 Jan 2024

Standards20240112.zip

Posted on Friday, January 12 2024

From NZQA:

Kia ora koutou,

Please find attached the January monthly standards file with new and removed standards since December 2023.

This is identical to the mock file that was sent in December, at this stage, with one exception.

We were alerted to inconsistent date formats under the expiry column and those have been resolved now.

Cheers,

11 Dec 2023

Standards20231211.zip

Posted on Monday, December 11 2023

10 Nov 2023

Standards20231110.zip

Posted on Friday, November 10 2023

10 Oct 2023

Standards20231010.zip

Posted on Tuesday, October 10 2023

From NZQA:

Kia ora all,

Attached is the Monthly Standards file for October.

Please note that the UE Literacy Indicators are out of date; this will be resolved in next months’ file.

11 Sep 2023

Standards20230911.zip

Posted on Tuesday, September 12 2023

10 Aug 2023

Standards20230810.zip

10 Jul 2023

Standards20230710.zip

Posted on Tuesday, July 11 2023

12 Jun 2023

Standards20230612.zip

NZQA Standards File Notes

Session Code	Standard	Change
L1-PESS-EX	92047	Assessment Method Change From: DS To: Paper Exam
N/A	91928	Subfield and Domain Change From: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture To: Sciences > Science > Agricultural and Horticultural Science
N/A	91929	Subfield and Domain Change From: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture To: Sciences > Science > Agricultural and Horticultural Science
L1-AGRI-EX	91930	Subfield and Domain Change From: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture To: Sciences > Science > Agricultural and Horticultural Science
L1-AGRI-EX	91931	Subfield and Domain Change From: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries > Agriculture > General Agriculture To: Sciences > Science > Agricultural and Horticultural Science

10 May 2023

Standards20230510.zip

From NZQA: Kia ora all, Please note that L1-DANC 91339 has been changed from DS to DE.

17 Apr 2023

Standards20230417.zip

NZQA - Notification - Iwi Code Update

From: Team Mailbox Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 10:16 AM
Subject: Notification - Iwi Code Update

Kia ora koutou,

This is a notification that our system has been updated to reflect the updated Iwi Code Classifications from Statistics New Zealand, as of 1 January 2023.

Any schools or kura impacted (if you were aware of any) should be advised and asked to try again.

Please let us know if any further issues are encountered.

Ngā mihi,

NZQA Standards File Notes

From: Team Mailbox Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 9:14 AM
Subject: Monthly Standards File

Kia ora all,

Attached is the Monthly Standards File for April

Please note that it includes TMoA and NZC Pilot Standards.

Thanks,

23 Mar 2023

Standards20230323.zip

Posted on Monday, March 27 2023 (Replaces file posted on March 15)

15 Mar 2023

Standards20230315.zip

Posted on Wednesday, March 15 2023 (Replaces file posted on March 14)

14 Mar 2023

Standards20230313.zip

Posted on Tuesday, March 14 2023

24 Feb 2023

Standards20230224.zip

Notes from NZQA

Kia ora koutou,

Please find attached an updated Monthly Standards File. This includes the change described in more detail below, as well as the inclusion of the Te Ao Haka standards for this year.

We have received feedback from some SMS Vendors and Schools regarding our policy in recent years to clear the data from the following columns in January and February each year:

Assessment Request Indicator (NO, DE, DS)
Assessment Session Code (e.g. L1-CHEM)
Digital Practice Exam Available (Y/N)
Assessment Opportunities (while this is not yet populated, this would have been subject to the same policy in future years).

This was initially done to avoid issues that any changes to these columns for each new academic year, when our systems roll over just prior to the 10^th of March, may cause for schools and their entries.
Upon reflection, however, we agree that it is more straightforward to provide the previous year’s settings and signal, when sending the 10^th of March file, of any changes to these.

The columns above are now populated in the attached files based on settings from 2022, until our systems roll over just prior to the 10^th of March.
Please be aware this means that the data in these columns could change in the March iteration of any given year.

Piloting of the new standards including re-versioning of many of them, and the incremental implementation of digital assessment, has made for an untidy process in this area. We acknowledge the difficulty this has caused for SMS Vendors & Schools, and appreciate your patience and support.

Nga mihi,

14 Feb 2023

Standards20230214.zip

Posted on Tuesday, 14 January 2023

11 Jan 2023

Standards20230110.zip

Posted on Wednesday, 11 January 2023

09 Dec 2022

Standards20221209.zip

Posted on Monday, 12 December 2022

10 Nov 2022

Standards20221110.zip

10 Oct 2022

Standards20221010.zip

12 Sep 2022

Standards20220912.zip

11 Aug 2022

Standards20220811.zip

Posted on Monday, 15 August 2022

11 Jul 2022

Standards20220711.zip

Notes from NZQA

Kia Ora Everyone,

Please find the attached updated version of the SMS Monthly Standards File for July 2022.

Note -

Standard	Old Assessment Method	New Assessment Method	Old Session Code	New Session Code
91922			L1-SCIE-EX	L1-SCIE-CA

17 Jun 2022

Standards20220617.zip

Notes from NZQA

Kia Ora Everyone,

Please find the attached updated version of the SMS Monthly Standards File for June 2022.

*Please ignore the last version i.e run on 10 June 2022.*

This is an updated version, please use this one only.

...

Any questions please ask.

Thanks and regards

10 Jun 2022

Standards20220610.zip

10 May 2022

Standards20220510.zip

Notes for May Distribution 2022:

Notes for May Distribution 2022:

Standard	Old Assessment Method	New Assessment Method	Old Session Code	New Session Code
92046	DS	DE	L1-PESS-SU	L1-PESS-CA
92047	DE	NO	L1-PESS-EX	No Change
92067	DE	DS	L1-PANG-C1	No Change
92068	DE	DS	L1-PANG-C2	No Change
91930	DE	DS	L1-AGRI-CA	L1-AGRI-SU

11 Apr 2022

Standards20220411.zip

Fix for results upload error in version 70.16 NZQAResultsExportFix.zip

10 Mar 2022

Standards20220310.zip

From NZQA

Kia Ora Everyone,

Please find the attached SMS Providers Monthly Standards File for March 2022

Included in this iteration:

The new “Digital Practice Exam Available” field (Y/N).
The field “Assessment Session Code” is populated for 2022.
The field “Assessment Request Indicator” is populated for 2022.

*We are aware of two standards that still require confirmation of their Assessment Request Indicator, these are 91935 and 91946. Until this confirmation is received, these are listed as "NO".

10 Feb 2022

Standards20220210.zip

10 Jan 2022

Standards20220110.zip

10 Dec 2021

Standards20211210.zip

10 Nov 2021

Standards20211110.zip

11 Oct 2021

Standards20211011.zip

21 Sep 2021

Standards20210921.zip

From NZQA

When distributing this new file, NZQA stated:

"...
We have been informed of an error with our previous standards file regarding some Scholarship Subjects and Digital Submission Choice.
..."

13 Sep 2021

Standards20210910.zip

16 Aug 2021

Standards20210816.zip

NZQA eMail

Email from NZQA Team Mailbox Psychometrics, Reporting and Statistics <PRS@nzqa.govt.nz>

Good morning all

Attached is a new run of the Monthly Standards File as of 16 Aug 2021. Note that this File should fix an issue with Scholarship Language subjects – they should now be able to be entered as DS.