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Year 11 NCEA – FAQs

NCEA Tau 11 - Pātai Takirite

For students entering Year 11 – NCEA Level 1 

2025 Option Selections – Key information for parents and students

Online subject selections must be made by 5.00pm on Wednesday 21 August to avoid a delay in the processing of students' selections. It is very possible that selections made after the deadline will result in some students not being able to do some of the subjects that they have chosen and back-up subjects being selected instead.

Note: In Term 4 each year, the College emails all parents/caregivers with their child's confirmed course of study for the following year.

How many subjects do most students have to select?

  • Year 11 students study six subjects:
    • Mathematics, English and Science (core subjects);
    • they also select three other optional subjects.
  • students should also carefully select two back-up optional subjects – these will be used to replace a selected subject if entry into a subject is not approved or if there is an unavoidable timetable clash;
  • in the case of possible ‘multi-level’ study (i.e. subjects at both Level 1 and 2) only students who meet the prerequisite will be able to select a subject in another year level. For example, a current Year 11 student will only be able to select Year 13 Physics (as one of their options for the following year) if they have taken Year 12 Physics in Year 11 in the current year;
  • in late Term 3/early Term 4, Heads of Department check each student’s course eligibility and advise them and the Dean about application declines. Back-up subject(s) are chosen by the timetabler;
  • the Dean and Head of Middle School check each student’s selections and advise about recommended changes accordingly.

What are the compulsory subjects?

  • English or English Literature (students must select one of these subjects);
  • Mathematics, Mathematics Applied or Mathematics with Algebra Focus (students must select one of these subjects);
  • Science or Practical Science (students must select one of these subjects) – students in 10N, 10O or 10H can select either or both of Biology or Physical Science;
  • Physical Education and Health (core*) – two lessons per week;
  • Life Skills (Health Education) (core*) – one lesson per week;
  • Study (supervised) (core*) – one lesson per week.

    *    students are automatically put into core subjects - you do not select this subject.

What if a student studied Level 1 NCEA Science in Year 10?

  • the student will not take the subject Science again;
  • they need to select one, or both, of Biology or Physical Science;
  • the student may study a Science at Level 2, subject to invitation (see question 'How many subjects do most students have to select?' regarding multi-level study).

What if a student did not study Level 1 NCEA Science in Year 10?

  • the student must study Level 1 NCEA Science in Year 11;
  • the student can also study Biology, but it is not compulsory;
  • if the student is wanting to study Science and Physical Science, Head of Department permission is required.

Practical Science

  • students can select to take Practical Science instead of Science (Practical Science is ‘supported’/fully internally-assessed Science);
  • students are advised of confirmation of this by the Head of Department.

Can a student study three Science subjects in the one year?

  • only with the Head of Department’s permission.

Mathematics

  • students select a Mathematics course; one of Mathematics, Mathematics Applied or Mathematics with Algebra Focus;
  • students are advised of confirmation of this selection;
  • students are invited into Mathematics Extension (students are notified).

English

  • students select one of English or English Literature. Some students will be recommended to take English (students are notified in Term 4);
  • students are invited into English Extension (students are notified).

Vocational Education and Training

  • students are invited to take Vocational Education and Training;
  • students are advised of confirmation of this selection.

Can a student study both Economics and Accounting?

  • No. Students study either ‘Commerce with Economics’ or ‘Commerce with Accounting’.

Can a student study two Technology subjects?

  • yes, it is possible to study two Technology subjects, but this must be discussed with the Dean;
  • students are advised of confirmation of this selection.

What do students need to gain NCEA Level 1?

  • students need to gain (total up) at least 60 credits from all of their courses, including Level 1 credits gained in a previous year. No particular type of grade nor Standard is required; 
  • refer to each subject’s information for number of credits provided (approximate).

NCEA Level 1 – Literacy

  • the new 20-credits Literacy/Numeracy co-requisite requirement is in force from 2024.
  • for more details, see our information on NCEA by clicking here. 

NCEA Level 1 – Numeracy

  • the new 20-credits Literacy/Numeracy co-requisite requirement is in force from 2024.
  • for more details, see our information on NCEA by clicking here. 

What happens to Level 1 credits gained in Year 10?

  • any Level 1 credits gained in Year 10 are carried into next year’s Level 1 total.

Can a student sit Level 2 subjects in Year 11?

  • only students who meet the prerequisite will be able to select a subject in another year level. For example, a current Year 11 student will only be able to select Year 13 Physics (as one of their options for the following year) if they have taken Year 12 Physics in the current year.

When can a student make their online selection?

  • Option selections will be completed online;
  • the online form will become available during the afternoon of Tuesday 13 August. No paper form is available.

When does the online selection process close?

  • online selections close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 21 August. It is not possible to make a selection after this deadline. 

What happens if the deadline is missed?

  • if it looks likely that the selection deadline will be missed for a valid reason, contact Mr David Bevin on DBV@stac.school.nz;
  • late subject selections will be processed after all other selections are considered and processed. Students in this situation may therefore not get all of their subject selections.

Am I able to change my original Options selection?

  • you are able to change your original online Options selection provided you do so by the 5.00pm deadline on Wednesday 21 August;
  • students may re-enter their choices as many times as they wish, online, as only the final submission will be taken after the deadline has passed. Students must choose carefully as it is not possible to amend subject choices after the final submission date.
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