The National Certificate of Educational Achievement, or NCEA, is the main qualification for secondary school students in New Zealand. It is designed to assess students' knowledge and skills across various subjects, allowing them to earn credits towards their diploma. Students typically work towards achieving Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 NCEA, with each level representing different stages of learning. NCEA assessments can include internal assessments, which are completed during the school year, and external exams held at the end of the year. Students need to accumulate a certain number of credits to achieve each level, providing a flexible pathway for their education and future opportunities.