CAA Literacy and Numeracy Information

The Literacy and Numeracy Co-Requisites (CAAs) are a compulsory part of NCEA, introduced by the New Zealand Ministry of Education in 2024.

These assessments ensure all students leave school with strong foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

To gain any NCEA qualification (Level 1, 2, or 3), students must pass:

  • Reading (5 credits)
  • Writing (5 credits)
  • Numeracy (10 credits)

Assessment Standards

  • US32403: Read written texts to understand ideas and information
  • US32405: Write texts to communicate ideas and information
  • US32406: Use mathematics and statistics to meet the numeracy demands of a range of situations

What Do the Assessments Involve?

Literacy

The literacy co-requisite is based on Level 4–5 of the New Zealand Curriculum.

Students are expected to:

  • Understand and interpret written texts
  • Read critically and for different purposes
  • Write clearly for a range of audiences
  • Use correct writing conventions (spelling, punctuation, grammar)

Numeracy

The numeracy co-requisite is based on Level 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum.

Students are expected to:

  • Solve problems using numbers and operations
  • Understand mathematical relationships
  • Work with measurement and units
  • Use spatial reasoning and navigation
  • Interpret data and statistics
  • Understand probability and chance

How Are the CAAs Assessed?

  • Assessments are external and completed online
  • Organised by St Paul’s Collegiate
  • Students must pass all three to gain NCEA

Grades

  • Achieved
  • Not Achieved

If a Student Does Not Pass

There is no limit on the number of attempts.

  • Students can resit assessments
  • There are two assessment opportunities each year

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child still sit the CAA if they are at Tihoi?

From 2026 onwards, students currently at Tihoi will sit the Literacy and Numeracy assessments during the May testing window.

Looking ahead, all students in the first intake will complete these assessments at that time. Any students who require a further opportunity will be reassessed during the second testing window in September.

Will the school receive my child’s results and feedback?

  • Schools do not receive test scripts or detailed feedback
  • Students can access results and feedback through their NZQA login
  • Teachers may ask students to share this information to support next steps
     

How Can I Support My Child?

The most important support is:

  • Regular attendance and engagement in class

Students can also use:

Additional literacy and numeracy workbooks are available online for extra practice (see the LitNum website linked above for further information about these texts, or contact one of the lead teachers).


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