A high school maths test that left students in tears has the New Zealand Qualifications Authority once again defending its exam papers.
Concerns over the difficulty of NCEA level one maths exams for two years in a row has led teachers to write an official complaint to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, who are standing firm on the issue.
A statement released by NZQA today backs the examination, saying it "met the specifications available to schools in advance of the school year."
"The Level 1 Mathematics examination was set by a team of experienced mathematics teachers, for the right curriculum level and is consistent with the specifications for the standard," NZQA deputy chief executive for assessment Kristine Kilkelly said.
The statement goes on to say the examination was featured in workshops for maths teachers earlier in the year.
However students disagree, with some saying they saw classmates reduced to tears.
"The ones who attempted it, they were in the same boat, they came out crying and they couldn't believe it after spending so long studying for it.
"It was just such a waste of time," Kristin High School student Jessica Green told 1 NEWS.
Teacher Jake Wills is also expressing his concern over the NCEA exam.
"We spend all year building out students up around the positive images of mathematics and they come into these exams and gets hit with these difficult questions. That really erodes what we've done all year."
An open letter from teachers is being sent to NZQA and the Ministry of Education.
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