2026 Reviewed Materials, Assessment Materials, Conditions of Assessment for NCEA L1, L2 & L3 Sciences
- Lian Soh
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 10
New reviewed materials for NCEA Level 1 Science, Physics & Earth and Space, Chemistry & Biology and Agriculture & Horticulture for 2026 are now live on the NCEA Education website.
The updated materials follow review and maintenance work which had been undertaken for all three levels of NCEA towards 2026. In January 2026 the NCEA website will be updated with these changes for Level 1, replacing current pdf versions as they will no longer be necessary.
For Levels 2 and 3, assessment materials will be updated on TKI in January.
For external assessment specifications, refer to the NZQA website. We have also included direct links below.
Overview for Level 1 Science
Product | What's changing? |
Conditions of Assessment across all internal standards | Updated to provide clearer guidance around authenticity. |
AS1.4 91923 Unpacking | Changes made for clarity and consistency to strengthen interpretation of the Achievement Standard. |
Or go straight to the landing page.
Overview for Level 1 Physics and Earth & Space Science
Product | What's changing? |
Conditions of Assessment across all internal standards | Updated to provide clearer guidance around authenticity. |
AS1.1 92044 Unpacking | Changes made to strengthen understanding of ‘science ideas’ as pertinent to this Achievement Standard. |
AS1.1 92045 Unpacking | Change made to clarify role of the assessor in providing guidance during the assessment. |
AS1.2 92045 Conditions of Assessment | Changes made to clarify the intent of the assessment and the role of the assessor in providing guidance during the assessment. |
Or go straight to the landing page.
Overview for Level 1 Chemistry & Biology
Product | What's changing? |
Conditions of Assessment across all internal standards | Updated to provide clearer guidance around authenticity. |
AS1.4 92023 Unpacking | Changes made for clarity and consistency to strengthen interpretation of the Achievement Standard. |
Or go straight to the landing page.
Overview for Level 1 Agriculture & Horticulture
Product | What's changing? |
Conditions of Assessment across all internal standards | Updated to provide clearer guidance around authenticity. |
Or go straight to the landing page.
Assessment Conditions for 2026
Note from the NZQA website: "These assessment specifications may change. Make sure you download the latest version before you plan any courses or assessments".
Level 1 Science
Level 1 Chemistry and Biology
Level 1 Physics, Earth and Space Science
Level 1, 2 & 3 Agricultural and Horticultural Science
Level 2 & 3 Biology
Level 2 & 3 Chemistry
Level 2 & 3 Earth and Space Science
Level 2 & 3 Physics
