NCEA and University Entrance in 2025

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has released finalised NCEA and University Entrance in 2025 attainment data, showing gains at Levels 1 and 3, with Level 2 remaining steady.

Student completing an assessment in a classroom setting. Adobe Images

Key results (2025 vs 2024)

• NCEA Level 1 (Year 11): 73.5% ↑ (from 71.5%)

• NCEA Level 2 (Year 12): 73.6% — no change

• NCEA Level 3 (Year 13): 71.5% ↑ (from 69.4%)

• University Entrance (Year 13): 52.0% ↑ (from 50.6%)

• 73.8% achieved the literacy and numeracy co-requisites by end of Year 11 ↑ (from 69.5%)

• Level 2 remains stable despite qualification changes

• Modest gains at Level 3 and UE suggest improvement at the senior end

Data continues to be reported on enrolled students (Levels 2, 3, UE) and participation (Level 1)

Equity

• Disparities remain across socio-economic groups and ethnicity

• Some improvements in 2025, including:

• Level 2, 3, and UE for students in higher equity index schools

• Level 3 and UE for Māori and Pacific students

NZQA will release a full breakdown in its Annual Report (May 2026).

See the finalised NCEA and UE attainment data from 2025.