a_practice_examination_in_the_build_up_for_externa_565406a82c.JPG Data has shown the 'unfamiliar texts' paper is the least popular of the three NCEA Level 2 exams. The "unfamiliar" paper was most unpopular among Pasifika students at decile 1, with only 1.3 per cent of those students' English entries attributed to the paper, compared to 12 per cent of entries in a "studied text" paper. The exam asked students to "analyse how the writer shows Will's changing emotional state throughout the passage" using literary techniques such as similes. For example, students at poorer schools read shorter, less-complicated texts; while those at schools with wealthier students read longer texts more likely to be read by adults. The most popular English standard of all, including internal assessments, was one asking students to "produce a selection of crafted and controlled writing".

Source: Otago Daily Times September 26, 2016 20:15 UTC