16 Jan 2018

The wait is over: 'Nervous' students check NCEA results

12:25 pm on 16 January 2018

Tens of thousands of teenagers will be hitting the refresh button on their computers as their exam results are now out.

A 15-year-old from Wellington checking his NCEA level 1 results.

Tens of thousands of teenagers will be hitting the refresh button on their computers today. Photo: Supplied

Almost 168,000 NCEA students can now view their results for 2017 on the NZQA website.

The qualifications authority has uploaded more than 600,000 marks this morning for three levels of the 2017 exams, including the results for the controversial level one maths exam that left many students disgruntled.

It is the first set of major results for twin sisters Olivia and Anastasia Alberts, who are heading into year 12 at Mt Albert Grammar in Auckland, this year.

Olivia was waiting for results in maths, economics, physics, geography and English.

Olivia Alberta with her twin Anastasia.

Olivia Alberta with her twin Anastasia. Photo: Supplied to RNZ

She told Summer Report she was relieved to get excellence endorsed for her level one exams.

She was worried she might not have got an achieved in the maths exam and thought the marks were scaled up.

There was a lot of pressure for students waiting on the results, she said earlier.

"For a lot of people these exams are deciding whether they are getting into their classes this year," Olivia said.

Her sister Anastasia, who is also waiting on English, maths, geography and business said results-day has crept up on her.

"I'm feeling really nervous ... it felt really quick because of the holidays and I'm not sure what to expect", she said.

Olivia was not the only one with concerns about marks in maths.

The year 11 maths exam outraged students, parents and teachers last year after it was deemed too difficult for the students.

Did you sit the controversial maths exam? How did you do? Send us an email: iwitness@radionz.co.nz

Teachers accused the exam of being poorly worded and two questions were identical - meaning students could be penalised twice.

Olivia said many of her friends couldn't complete it and she's "really nervous" about it.

Paerau Garner-Forbes, who is heading into year 13 at Marist College is feeling fairly relaxed about getting her marks back.

"Everyone's distracted by summer and trying to make the most of the last little bit of it."

"Everyone is different with how they feel about their results and it just depends on how you think you went and how you prepared yourself for it," she said.

Paerau said while Year 12 is a big step up, at least it is familiar, after completing Year 11.

Another Mount Albert Grammar student Aly Manikas said she will be refreshing her results page this morning and her parents will be the first to know her marks.

"I think they're a bit nervous but I think they'll be happy no matter what I get," she said.

NZQA couldn't put anyone up to speak to RNZ.

After receiving their marked NCEA papers, students have until 16 February to apply for a review or reconsideration of their examination papers.

Students who sat New Zealand Scholarship examinations will be able to view their results online from 13 February, and apply for a review or reconsideration until 2 March.

Students who sat digital exams as part of the Digital Trials and Pilots programme will get their marks on the 23 January.

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