Question 1

What does NZQA Scholarship Classical Studies actually test?

Accepted Answer

NZQA Scholarship Classical Studies tests your ability to construct a sharp, focused argument about Greek and Roman texts, art, and history—not just to know a lot about them. You'll answer two essay questions from Section A (choosing contexts like Alexander, Augustus, Aeneid, or Iliad) and one source-analysis question from Section B on gods and mortals. The exam rewards critical thinking and selective use of evidence, not memorised chunks.

Question 2

What does an Outstanding Classical Studies answer look like?

Accepted Answer

1. Fluent, engaging writing with stylistic flair that makes the argument compelling and easy to follow—not just technically correct 2. Sharp, focused introductions and conclusions that actually prove your thesis rather than being perfunctory, plus clear logical progression through your analysis 3. Careful unpacking of nuance and ambiguity in the question; balanced answers that include evidence that cuts against your own argument 4. Judicious use of evidence from beyond the obvious (beyond books 1–6 of Aeneid, beyond Prima Porta or the top three famous artists) and integration of it into your own original ideas rather than listing examples 5. Critical engagement with secondary sources: woven in to strengthen your thesis or contrasted to reinforce your point, not just name-dropped 6. In Section B: synthesis across multiple sources, connecting them thematically rather than treating each one separately, plus robust contextual knowledge of how the sources fit their original setting

Question 3

What's the difference between Scholarship and Outstanding in Classical Studies?

Accepted Answer

Scholarship (~3% of candidates): You construct a sustained, structured argument focused strictly on the question, use specific relevant evidence in an intelligent way, balance different perspectives, and demonstrate detailed contextual knowledge without straying into one-sided or superficial answers. Outstanding (~0.3%): You set yourself apart not by knowing more but by showing sagacity—knowing what to leave out and what to discuss, integrating diverse examples into an original thesis, writing with flair, and synthesising across sources or a figure's career to build a developed, compelling response that shows higher-order thinking.

Question 4

How do I prepare for NZQA Scholarship Classical Studies?

Accepted Answer

1. Learn the less obvious material. Examiners specifically reward candidates who go beyond the standard examples (the first six books of Aeneid, Prima Porta, three famous vase painters). Build knowledge of the full range—different parts of texts, lesser-known artworks, careers in their entirety—so you can select the most *apt* evidence for your argument, not just the famous stuff. 2. Do not memorise secondary quotes or trendy terms ('mutability,' 'socially foundational,' 'no simple panegyric') to sprinkle into essays. Coached or prefabricated phrases undermine your credibility and waste words. Use secondary sources critically to structure or strengthen your own argument, or not at all. 3. Unpack the question before writing. Recognise nuance, ambiguity, and what the question is actually asking—not what you want to write about. Plan an argument that is balanced and can acknowledge complexity; avoid one-sided, simplistic answers. 4. In Section B, read and connect the sources as a collection, not one at a time. Find thematic links, synthesise across them, and place them firmly in their original historical or religious context. Close reading alone is not enough—you need to show contextual awareness and draw them together into a single response.

Classical Studies

Exemplar (outstanding student answer)(9)

Marking schedule(9)

Assessment report(4)

Assessment specification(2)

Other resource(10)