Covid-delayed NCEA and Scholarship exams start today with an option for students in Auckland, Northland and parts of Waikato to take up 'unexpected event' grades.

The high school exams are beginning two weeks later than originally planned, in recognition of the disruption the pandemic has caused this year.

Students in the areas that have been in level 3 lockdown are able to replace exam results with 'unexpected event' grades.

Auckland principals say some students will skip their exams altogether because they have already been through enough stress for one year.

This morning's exams include NCEA level 1 Te Reo Rangatira, and level 2 physics. Exams finish on 14 December.

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