As the end of the year approaches it is time to set yourself up for success. Using past exam papers is a great start but setting yourself up for success requires a bit more. External exams are considered the most difficult of the different standards within NCEA. They are a recap of what students have learnt throughout the year and that in itself can be daunting. On top of that, exam fatigue is something to be aware of. If you feel exhausted at the mere thought of revision this guide can help to get you across the finishing line.
The best place to start is to create a study zone. A study zone requires a table or desk, a comfortable chair, and a low distraction space. If you can avoid high-traffic areas such as kitchen tables and benches, it will minimise the number of distractions and interruptions. Alternatively, libraries are great places to revise. There are dedicated study spaces, noise control, good lighting, and of course free wifi.
Read about the NCEA Māori exam syllabus here.
While your bed may be calling to you, try to block the call. Studying in bed can confuse your brain and can interfere with your sleep patterns. This is because your brain associates your bed with a place to sleep which can make you feel tired when you're not. It can also make it hard for your brain to switch off. Everything has a place and studying in your bed is not it.
Now you have the place, time to sort out the music. No matter what subject you are revising for, music without lyrics is the way to go. Why you may ask? Lots of people enjoy music, sometimes a little too much. If you are trying to concentrate on revising but your favourite song starts to play, what do you think is more fun for your brain? That's right, singing along with your favourite artist. Now, the melody is another story. Some students enjoy heavy rock, others classical music, and some even enjoy nature sounds. You need to find what works for you. What you listen to one day could be completely different from the next depending on your mood.
Breaking down the NCEA Level 3 Pānui past exam paper
Assesment 91652: Pānui kia mōhio ki te reo Māori o te ao whānui, is a reading standard. The expectation for New Zealand curriculum Level 8 or NCEA level 3 is that students understand the majority of texts written in te reo Māori. The text provided could cover a range of topics. The examiners are looking to see if you can identify facts, opinions, and hypotheses. They are also looking to see if you understand the nuance of the text. This section can usually be answered in te reo Māori or English.
Figuring out what the intent of the author is can be tricky. Is it to inform, entertain or persuade? Maybe a bit of all three? It is up to you to extract the information from the texts. Before you have a go at practising with past exam papers, this guide goes through the outline of the marking criteria.
Exams bring out a mixture of emotions in different people. A good way to ease your anxiety is to know what to expect. One way of doing this is by understanding the marking schedule. This is because it stays the same unless there is an update to the assessment or standard. It is the content within the exam that changes every year. Luckily Superprof has more guides on NCEA level 3 te reo Māori.
NCEA Level 3 Achieved
To get achieved for this standard you need to show an understanding of te reo Māori across a range of themes that can be local, national, or global. For additional support, consider enrolling in a te reo Maori course. So how do you do that? Answer the questions of course. That may seem like a silly answer but each year there are a few students who do not answer the question properly.
Take the time to make sure you answer each question correctly and provide all the information requested. The examiners are looking to see if you have identified the main themes, can distinguish between facts, opinions and conclusions, and can identify the language features used.
NCEA Level 3 Merit
For merit, you need to do the same thing as achieved but with more detail and style. The emphasis is on explaining. If you identify the purpose of the text and the main themes within it, you are halfway there. The next step is to explain the themes and their intent. In order to do this, you need to have clarity in your writing.
This is where brainstorming and planning your response is really important as it gives you structure and keeps you focused on the main point. It can be easy to half explain an idea or go off track without one. Adding in your personal opinion if it relates to the text works well but you need to explain the author's intent before you add in your own opinions. Statement, Explanation, example, Your opinion. It is a tried and true structure if you struggle with clarity.
NCEA Level 3 Excellence
The keywords in the marking schedule change from explain to justify and integrate. The structure becomes crucial as you need to provide a clearly articulated response to the question. This means that your answer is supported strongly by evidence from the text, and you have explained the main ideas from the text including some finer details. Double check you have added your own opinion, explained how it links to the theme in detail, and you have justified your response by using clear examples.
Get tips to pass the NCEA te reo Māori exam in our guide here.
Breaking down the NCEA Level 3 Tuhituhi past exam paper
Assessment 91653 : Tuhi i te reo Māori o te ao whānui is a writing standard. This is to be completed in te reo Māori. When using past papers, the best thing to do is to use them for planning. How would you respond to this question? What layout would you use? What are the main messages in the text? What is the intent of the author?
Identifying these first, and then bullet pointing or brainstorming how you are going to respond, gives you an easy-to-follow road map. As level 3 students, you already understand the pressure external exams put on your brain. Remembering all your points and organising your writing so your key points are well supported and clear is a lot for your brain to do.
NCEA Level 3 Achieved
This assessment requires students to write about topics from a local, national, or global perspective in te reo Māori. For this section, you need to present a description of the topic and include examples and opinions. This assessment is also looking at your vocabulary and your knowledge of grammar. When it comes to sitting this exam, allocate your time accordingly so you have enough time to proofread your work. Examiners need to be able to understand your essay.
NCEA Level 3 Merit
Building on from achieved, merit requires students to develop their ideas in a logical sequence. This means your ideas, opinions or perspective are supported by examples, well written and explained in a logical sense. Giving your opinion before you have identified the main ideas within the text makes it very hard for your reader to understand what it is you are trying to communicate. Your essay needs to be easy to read.
What you write and how you write is important. When using past exam papers, practice using a range of language features and grammar that work with your key points. A well-placed whakatauki is always welcomed. Examiners are looking at your understanding of writing conventions. Past exam papers allow you to practise as well as see examples of other students' work so you can see what is expected for merit and excellence.
NCEA Level 3 Excellence
Excellence requires your writing to have a clear purpose/intent. Your critical thinking skills are demonstrated through the detail in your writing. The 400-word limit is a suggestion, not a goal. The goal is to produce a piece of writing that has evidence integrated with a sense of purpose and fluency. Your style of writing enhances your answers. Demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of te reo Māori writing conventions by using a wide range of language features and correct grammar.
The next step using NCEA Level 3 past papers
That is a lot of things to do within a small space of time. Now you know what you need to do, it is time to practice how you are going to do it. Remember past papers are there to help you revise, but if you don’t have the general knowledge needed, then vocabulary and grammar revision is where you should start. Superprof can help you get there with a range of tutors available to help strengthen your skillset so you can get to where you want to be faster.
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