I've been giving a couple of updates but I haven't really explained what these exams are and what they're like.
So the NZ school system is ncea. I don't actually know what it stands for. It's like how the u.k has gcses and a-levels. In ncea, there are three levels. I'm doing level 1 right now. Really, level 2 is the only level that matters. Universities can't use level 3 as part of the acceptance process because the results aren't published in time. So they base your results on level 2, which is the hardest year. Level 1 is pretty useless. It's basically a trial run. The government was considering getting rid of it.
For ncea, you have internals and externals. Internals are assignments that you get credits for. Those take up the first two terms and some of the third term. Some internals are tests. Externals are exams. Proper exams. Like, sit in a hall with examiners who pace around, mark the times you go to the toilet, terrify you because they come and move your papers and you think you're in trouble or doing something wrong, but really they were just checking your name because another examiner thought they knew your gran. Not sure what grandmother is was either.
But in all seriousness, they're scary! They're three hours long. The government observes your failures. It's big business, even if this year doesn't really matter.
For ncea level 1, you have to get 80 credits. I already have 92 without exams, which are 4 credits each, so technically, I don't have to do these exams. I've already passed the year. But that would be really dumb. I've also gotten 55 excellence credits so that means I passed the year with an excellence endorsement! If I get excellences in my english and health exams, I'll get excellence subject endorsements which are really good.
Essentially you can get four marks. Not achieved, achieved, merit, and excellence. I've only gotten one not achieved so far (it's the fail grade) which was in my chem mock. And I think my first maths exam, the mcat, will also be a not achieved.
So...that's what's really happening in my life right now? I'm doing exams I've barely studied for and crying. Can't wait for this to be over lol. Sorry for the really boring explanation but mmm I just wanted to explain what's really going on.
