• The Literacy CAAs, along with the Numeracy CAA, all need to be passed by students in order to gain an NCEA qualification at any level.​

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• In other words, you cannot gain NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3, without achieving all 3 CAAs (there are some exceptions to this).

• Yes, you will get:​

  • 5 credits for passing the Literacy (Reading) CAA.

  • 5 credits for passing the Literacy (Writing) CAA.

  • 10 credits for passing the Numeracy CAA.​

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• Because these 3 CAAs are all 'Unit Standards', the best you can get on them is Achieved (you can't get Merit or Excellence credits from them).​

• You will complete both tests on a computer. You won't have access to the internet/AI/notes/etc.

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• If you are entitled to Special Assessment Conditions (for example if you have Dyslexia), you will also have access to a reader-writer.

• Don't beat yourself up. These are tough tests and nearly half of students fail the first time around.

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• You get to re-attempt all CAAs (including the Numeracy CAA) as many times as you like until you pass them, but you will need to wait until the next testing round to have another crack. There are two testing rounds per year: one in May (Term 2) and one in September (Term 3).

• Writing CAA:

  • Q1​: Essay-style question (usually a letter or email, usually 150-250 words).​

  • Q2: Essay-style question (usually an article, newsletter, or opinion pieces, usually 250 - 350 words).

  • Q3: Multi-choice questions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax).

• Reading CAA: Approx. 6 questions. Each question requires you to read a text and answer 5 - 6 multi-choice questions about the text.

• The Reading and Writing tests are sat on separate days. They are each designed to be completed in 60 minutes, however, you are allowed as much time as you need to finish them (so long as it is completed in one session). 

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• If you need extra time, make sure you communicate this to your teacher.

• Sort of. Each school manages this slightly differently.

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• Usually, you will get a limited spellchecker. This means that, if you spell a word wrong, the spellchecker will underline the word in red - however, the spellchecker won't give you options to correct the word. Furthermore, the spellchecker won't help you with grammar/punctuation/syntax.​