NCEA past exam papers and marking schedules
The external exams for Mathematics, Calculus, Statistics, Numeracy, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, all in one place, 2025 included. Choose a subject and a level. Every link opens NZQA's own copy of the paper.
All links go to nzqa.govt.nz. Links last checked .
How to get the most out of a past paper
Sit it like the real thing
Print the paper, put the phone away and set a timer. Most NCEA exam sessions are three hours for up to three papers, so allow about an hour a paper.
Mark it with the schedule
The marking schedule shows what earns Achieved, Merit and Excellence for each question. Mark honestly, then redo every question you lost marks on.
Read the assessment report
NZQA's markers write each year about what students did well and where they lost marks. Ten minutes of reading saves the same mistakes in your own exam.
All credit goes to NZQA
Every examination paper, marking schedule, assessment report and exemplar on this page was written and published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa. Copyright in these materials belongs to NZQA, and for some content to the third parties NZQA credits in the papers.
We only link, we do not copy. Cell Tuition does not host, store, copy or change any of these files. Each link opens the original file on NZQA's website, nzqa.govt.nz. We list them here as a reference so students and parents can find them quickly. NZQA's terms allow its examination material to be cited and used as reference material. Any other use needs NZQA's permission. See NZQA's copyright terms.
Not connected to NZQA. Cell Tuition is an independent tutoring business. We are not part of NZQA, and NZQA does not endorse or sponsor this page or our services.
Files can change. NZQA keeps only recent years online and may move or remove files at any time. Some papers have third-party material, such as articles or images, removed by NZQA for copyright reasons. The official list is always on NZQA's past exams and exemplars page, and Numeracy is on NZQA's Numeracy page.
Found a link that no longer works? Or are you from NZQA and would like a link changed or removed? Email hello@celltuition.com and we will fix it straight away.
Exams coming up?
Our tutors work through past papers with students, question by question, and show what turns an Achieved answer into Excellence. The first lesson is free.
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