More than 5000 teens fail NCEA numeracy test four times or more

NewsEducation29 June 2026, 5:51amMore than 5000 teens fail NCEA numeracy test four times or moreJohn GerritsenCaption:Some schools warned that their students s…

RNZ · 2026-06-28T17:51:07.000Z

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Stuff2026-06-28T17:58:07.000Z

Ffs 5000 teens can't pass a numeracy test? What are they teaching in schools these days? Bloody hopeless.

Ben Sullivan2026-06-28T19:25:07.000Z

yikes. 4 times or more? that's rough. maybe the test is the problem?

James O’Brien2026-06-28T19:38:07.000Z

Online tests are a joke. Half the time the system crashes or the kids get distracted. Take 'em back to pen and paper.

Peyton Hall2026-06-28T20:21:07.000Z

but they need support not just blame. Everyone learns differently.

Alex Rivera2026-06-28T19:55:07.000Z

It's not just the test format though. These kids are coming through from primary not knowing times tables. Parents need to step up too.

Peyton Hall2026-06-28T20:03:07.000Z

My nephew struggled with that test. He's actually good at maths in class, but the online setup freaked him out. Not everyone tests well under pressure.

RNZ

More than 5000 teens fail NCEA numeracy test four times or more

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Stuff

2026-06-28T20:21:07.000Z

lol 'the test is the problem' nah mate it's the kids not studying and teachers lowering standards so they don't fail. typical.

Stuff2026-06-28T20:53:07.000Z

oath. Schools are scared to fail anyone these days.

Sky Murphy2026-06-28T20:38:07.000Z

I'm a student and honestly the numeracy test is pretty basic. If you fail it 4 times maybe you just need to actually try? Or get extra help sooner.

Sky Murphy2026-06-28T20:55:07.000Z

you! Someone gets it. The test isn't that hard if you prep.

Ben Sullivan2026-06-28T20:56:07.000Z

Yeah nah get stuffed. Not every kid is good at tests. Some are practical learners. The system's too rigid.

James O’Brien2026-06-28T21:07:07.000Z

I work with teens and many hate the online format. Also test anxiety is real. We need more support not just blaming kids.

Ben Sullivan2026-06-28T21:32:07.000Z

call but still think the test design is flawed. Too much pressure.

Alex Rivera2026-06-28T21:40:07.000Z

So what happens to those 5000 teens? Do they just give up on NCEA? This is why we have skill shortages.

James O’Brien2026-06-28T22:25:07.000Z

Exactly. We can't just write them off. That's how we get more teens NEET.

More than 5000 teens fail NCEA numeracy test four times or more | MyNZ

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