New Zealand grading system for school progress reports
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Proficient is the lowest passing grade, and there is no percent key. Grading rules are set nationally by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
This page explains how to read the scale and how grading works, including the NCEA, New Zealand’s main school-leaving exam. It also offers context for teaching students from New Zealand and points to related grading systems and sources.
Reading the New Zealand scale
The main school scale, the Curriculum progress descriptors, runs from Exceeding, the best grade, to Emerging, the worst. Proficient is the lowest descriptor that meets curriculum expectations for a student’s year level.
| Grade | Meaning | Passing |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding | Exceeding curriculum expectations for the year level. | Yes |
| Proficient | Meeting curriculum expectations for the year level; the lowest descriptor that meets expectations. | Yes |
| Consolidating | Progressing towards expectations, but has not met curriculum expectations for the year level. | No |
| Developing | Progressing towards expectations, but has not met curriculum expectations for the year level. | No |
| Emerging | Progressing towards expectations, but has not met curriculum expectations for the year level. | No |
Emerging, Developing, or Consolidating means the student has not met curriculum expectations for their year level.
Emerging, Developing and Consolidating indicate that expectations have not been met; Proficient and Exceeding indicate that they have. There is no percent key.
Compared with related systems
New Zealand
2 of 5 grades pass
Australia
No pass mark
Germany
4 of 6 grades pass
Ireland
7 of 8 grades pass
How grading works in New Zealand
New Zealand sets grading rules nationally through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
The rules are called the NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement and NCEA Co-requisite Standards, and Candidates 2024, and are made under section 452(1)(m) of the Education and Training Act 2020 (Www2).
A school report example is a mid-year report for Years 1–4 (Web-assets). At the end of the year, children who are proficient or above show they are ready for the next year of learning (Ministry of Education).
From 1 January 2027, reports will have to include results from twice-yearly assessments; progress against strands in English and Mathematics and Statistics; progress and achievement in reading and writing; progress descriptors; information about support for students well below curriculum expectations; an attendance record except for distance schools; and the student’s next learning steps (Ministry of Education).
Teaching students from New Zealand
Ask students to bring their report cards and transcripts. Check the grading key on each document, then record the grades and key in your gradebook.
Set the scale up once in a gradebook so every report card and transcript you produce uses the same key.
Related grading systems
Sources and verification
- [1]education.govt.nz. Guide to your child's reporting and progress - Ministry of Education. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
- [2]www2.nzqa.govt.nz. Cut scores - NZQA. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
- [3]www2.nzqa.govt.nz. Assessment opportunities in schools - NZQA. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
- [4]www2.nzqa.govt.nz. NZQA Assessment Rules for Schools, TEOs assessing against Achievement Standards and NCEA Co-requisite Standards, and Candidates 2024. pdf. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
- [5]web-assets.education.govt.nz. NZC%20Exemplar%20School%20Report_LO_02.pdf?VersionId=QoM5wp3QJm8madKa1ryu2TJDCrmFs3V_. pdf. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
- [6]web-assets.education.govt.nz. LP2606011b%20-%20NZC%20Guide%20to%20your%20child%27s%20reporting%20and%20progress.pdf?VersionId=H.JnTzgfsFJK_el4PD0sxjLsg7sYd6Z_. pdf. Accessed Oct 10, 2026. Official source
The facts on this page were last verified on Oct 10, 2026. Suggest a correction
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in New Zealand?
For New Zealand curriculum progress reports, Proficient is the lowest passing descriptor. Students marked Emerging, Developing, or Consolidating have not met curriculum expectations for their year level.
Do schools in New Zealand use percentages for grades?
There is no percent key for the New Zealand curriculum progress descriptors.
Is a Consolidating a good grade in New Zealand?
No. Consolidating means the student has not met curriculum expectations for their year level, although it indicates they are meeting many expectations and steadily progressing.
