· New Zealand · 4 min read
When do you have to pass the NZ maths requirement?
One of the most practical questions prospective primary teachers ask is not just whether they need to pass the maths requirement, but when.
The timing matters — and it changed in 2026
One of the most practical questions prospective primary teachers ask is not just whether they need to pass the maths requirement, but when. Get the timing wrong and you could find yourself ineligible to continue into a new year of study, or unable to take up a placement.
The 2026 intake brought new rules. Here is what the current requirements say.
Who this applies to
A quick reminder before the timing detail: the national maths competence requirement applies to applicants entering English-medium primary initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. Secondary, ECE, and Māori-medium programmes are not subject to this specific requirement.
If you are applying for a primary teaching qualification — whether that is a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), a Graduate Diploma, or similar — this applies to you.
The 2026 phasing rules
The Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand introduced a phased approach for the 2026 intake:
One-year ITE programmes (2026 entrants)
If you are entering a one-year ITE programme in 2026, you must pass the maths requirement before entry. You cannot start the programme and then sit it — the pass needs to be in place first.
Multi-year ITE programmes (2026 entrants)
If you are entering a multi-year programme (for example, a three-year Bachelor of Teaching), the 2026 rule is slightly more flexible: you must pass before the start of year 2. That means you have your first year to get the assessment done — but it must be sorted before you progress.
Do not treat this as a reason to delay. Sitting the assessment partway through a busy first year of teacher training, while managing placements and coursework, is harder than sitting it before you begin. If you can sort it before entry, do so.
What about 2027 and beyond?
This is where things are less certain. The Teaching Council has indicated that from 2027, all primary ITE applicants will reportedly need to pass the maths requirement before entry — regardless of programme length. The one-year-two grace period would no longer apply.
However, the Teaching Council has also noted that the specific assessment tool to be used from 2027 is not yet confirmed. The LNAAT was confirmed for the 2026 intake, but its use beyond that is described as subject to ongoing review.
If you are planning to apply in 2027 or later, check the official Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand website for the most current requirements. Do not rely on assumptions carried over from 2026 — this is an area where the rules are still being clarified.
How to find out your provider’s specific process
Each ITE provider may have slightly different administrative arrangements for when and how you access the LNAAT. Some will include instructions with your offer of enrolment; others may require you to book the assessment through the TEC platform in advance. Contact your provider’s admissions team if you are unsure:
- When exactly you need to complete the assessment
- How to access the LNAAT platform (your provider will give you a specific link)
- Whether there is a pathway for applicants without a National Student Number (NSN)
- What the process is if you need to resit
Can you resit if you do not pass?
The official resit policy is managed through the TEC platform. Check with your provider about how many attempts you are allowed and the timeframe for resitting. If there is any gap between attempts, use that time for targeted preparation — not a general re-read of everything, but focused work on the specific topics where your result fell short.
The practical advice: do not leave it late
Regardless of whether your programme gives you until before entry or before year 2, the same advice applies: start preparing early and sit the assessment before the deadline is urgent. The maths requirement is not something to park until the week before you need it sorted. The LNAAT is calibrated at NCEA Level 2 — it requires real preparation, especially if you have not done formal maths study in a while.
People who leave it late often find themselves scrambling during the busiest parts of an application or study period. People who sort it early have one less thing to worry about.
Start with a free diagnostic
If you are not sure where your maths is currently sitting relative to the LNAAT pass standard, the best first step is a short diagnostic test. It costs nothing, takes a few minutes, and tells you exactly which topics to focus on.
Head to snacademy.education/nz/ to take the free diagnostic test — then you will know how much preparation you actually need before your deadline.
— The people of SN Academy
