NCEA credits calculator
Enter your credits by level and grade to see whether you have NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3, how close you are to a Merit or Excellence endorsement, and which courses will be endorsed. It uses the rules in place since 2024, including the literacy and numeracy co-requisite.
1. Credits you have (or expect)
Enter credits by the level of the standard and the grade you got. Don't include literacy or numeracy co-requisite standards here.
| Standards at | Achieved | Merit | Excellence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | |||
| Level 2 | |||
| Level 3 |
NCEA Level 1
0/60
Credits at Level 1 or above: 0
Merit or Excellence: 0/50
Excellence: 0/50
60 more credits at Level 1 or above needed.
NCEA Level 2
0/60
Credits at Level 2 or above: 0
Merit or Excellence: 0/50
Excellence: 0/50
60 more credits at Level 2 or above needed.
NCEA Level 3
0/60
Credits at Level 3 or above: 0
Merit or Excellence: 0/50
Excellence: 0/50
60 more credits at Level 3 or above needed.
2. Course endorsements
Per course, in one school year: 14+ credits at Merit or Excellence, with at least 3 from internal and 3 from external standards.
The NCEA rules this calculator uses
The 2024 changes made each NCEA level a 60-credit qualification. You need 60 credits at the level or above: Level 2 and Level 3 credits count toward Level 1, Level 3 credits count toward Level 2, but credits never count downwards to a higher level.
On top of the 60, every learner must complete the literacy and numeracy co-requisite (10 credits each). It is done once and then applies to every level. Those credits don't count toward the 60.
Planning for endorsements
Certificate endorsements need 50 credits at Merit (or Merit and Excellence combined) or 50 at Excellence. External exams in November and December often decide them, because each external standard is worth several credits.
For course endorsements, check that each subject has enough external credits: a course with only internal Merits won't be endorsed, however many there are.
FAQs
How many credits do you need for NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3?＋
Since 2024, each level needs 60 credits at that level or above, plus the 20-credit literacy and numeracy co-requisite. Credits from the level below no longer count, so Level 1 credits don't help with Level 2.
Do literacy and numeracy credits count towards the 60?＋
No. The co-requisite (10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits) sits alongside the 60 credits, is completed once, and then counts for every level.
How do you get a Merit or Excellence endorsement?＋
A certificate is endorsed with Merit with 50 or more credits at Merit or Excellence, at the certificate's level or above, and with Excellence with 50 or more at Excellence. NZQA works out endorsements each January when exam results are released. Only your highest certificate is endorsed, unless you gain more than one certificate in the same year.
What is a course endorsement?＋
A course (subject) is endorsed when you gain 14 or more credits at Merit or Excellence in it in one school year, with at least 3 credits from internally assessed and 3 from externally assessed standards. A few courses are exempt from the external rule; your school can confirm.
Is this calculator official?＋
No. It applies the published rules to the numbers you enter, so it is a planning tool. Your official record is on your NZQA Learner Login.
Related
Chasing Merit or Excellence?
An NCEA specialist can target the external standards that decide endorsements. Two free demo classes, no card needed.
Book a free demo →