In 2025, 15,000 New Zealand students missed NCEA qualifications due to online test failures, despite being literate and numerate.

In 2025, around 15,000 New Zealand secondary students failed to meet the NCEA literacy and numeracy requirements, blocking them from receiving qualifications. Year 12 students had a 15% failure rate, while 9% of Year 13 students fell short. Many struggled with online assessments despite adequate skills, particularly those from low-income or under-resourced schools. Educators warn the system disproportionately affects neurodiverse learners, boys, and disadvantaged communities, contributing to a 16% school-leaver rate without qualifications—the highest in a decade.