NCEA 92046: the Sun and the Earth-Moon system (Level 1 Physics, Earth and Space Science)

What NCEA 92046 assesses

NZQA says you are assessed on the effect on the Earth of interactions between the Sun and the Earth-Moon system. The standard (version 3) says the interactions are:

• the positions of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon relative to each other
• the tilt of the Earth relative to the Sun
• the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, and the orbit of the Moon around the Earth
• the spin of the Earth on its axis relative to the Sun
• and the observable patterns you explain are tides, day and night, seasons, Moon phases, lunar eclipses and solar eclipses, including how each varies with latitude or over time

The three grades go up in steps. Achieved describes observations of the interactions, the science ideas behind them and the effect on the Earth. Merit explains the interactions and their effect, linking science ideas and observations. Excellence analyses: it brings science ideas and observations together in a discussion of how the effect varies on the Earth.

The NCEA 92046 exam in 2026 and 2027

NCEA 92046 is one of two Level 1 Physics, Earth and Space Science externals, with 92047 (energy). The 2026 exam is on Thursday 12 November, in the afternoon session. NZQA's specifications for both years say the exam is on printed paper and 92046 is a 5-credit external.

• Three questions: you answer all three.
• Use the resources: you give evidence for each question using the information provided in the resources, along with your own knowledge, and you are expected to explain your answers.
• Diagrams count: annotated diagrams and illustrations may be used. NZQA's 2025 report says candidates were credited even for annotating a picture of the Moon phases.
• What 2025 asked: how temperature and day length change through the year in Wellington, the changing look of the Moon and an infrequent super full Moon, and how latitude affects day length and shadow length.

How NCEA 92046 is marked

Three questions are each scored N0 to E8 and added to a total out of 24. NZQA's report says the 2025 questions used a Wellington temperature and day length resource, a Moon phase and super full Moon resource, and day length and shadows by latitude.

NCEA 92046 cut scores

The boundaries were the same in 2024 and 2025: 8, 14 and 19. Only two years are listed because NZQA's 2023 schedule was a pilot for an earlier version. Scores are where each grade begins, out of 24. NZQA's 2023 schedules were pilot schedules for an earlier version of the standard, so only 2024 and 2025 are listed.

Cut scores 2025

2025 schedule: Achieved from 8, Merit from 14, Excellence from 19. The same as 2024.

Cut scores 2024

2024 schedule: Achieved from 8, Merit from 14, Excellence from 19.

Worked examples at each grade

Achieved: describe the pattern

Describe what causes day and night, and why summer is warmer than winter in New Zealand. The Earth spins once on its axis each day, so the side facing the Sun has day and the other side has night. The Earth's axis is tilted relative to its orbit, so for part of the year New Zealand leans towards the Sun and has summer, and for part it leans away and has winter.

Merit: explain with the angle of the Sun

Explain why a 1.0 m post in Dunedin (about 46° S) casts a much longer shadow at noon in June than in December. At noon the Sun is highest in the sky, and its height depends on latitude and on the tilt. With the Earth's tilt taken as 23.5°:

In December the Southern Hemisphere leans towards the Sun, so the Sun is high and the shadow is short. In June it leans away, so the Sun is low and the shadow is long. The same tilt also spreads sunlight over a larger area in winter, which is why NZQA's report asks you to link temperature to solar radiation rather than to "more sunlight". (This is a simple model, and the exam asks you to use the resources you are given.)

Excellence: how the effect varies with latitude

Compare the length of the day in Auckland and Invercargill through the year. Invercargill is further south, so in summer the Sun is above the horizon for longer there than in Auckland, and in winter for less time. The difference is small near the equinoxes and largest near the solstices. At the equator the day stays close to the same length all year, because the tilt makes almost no difference to how much of the circle of latitude is in daylight. Excellence is the discussion of this variation by latitude and over the year, backed by the data in the resource.

A last idea for Excellence: why is there not an eclipse every month? The Sun, Earth and Moon must line up for a solar or lunar eclipse. The Moon orbits the Earth about once a month, but its orbit is tilted relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun, so most months the Moon passes above or below the line and there is no eclipse.

Test yourself on the seasons before you move on:

Exam answers

The answers and a worked mark scheme come with today's paper once it is marked. We do not publish official or past paper answers. Every question on the daily paper is our own.

Use the daily paper as a practice exam

The Level 1 PESS track above is a short timed mock of 8 questions, not a full exam and not written by NZQA (NCEA Level 1 PESS). It does not support 92046 well: none of its questions are about tides, seasons, Moon phases or eclipses. For this standard, use the resources in NZQA's past papers and the ideas on this page, and use the daily paper for the energy standard, NCEA 92047. For the whole course, see the NCEA Level 1 PESS guide.

Is NCEA 92046 changing?

The 2027 specification keeps 92046 as a printed paper. After 2027, Year 11 changes in 2028 to a new foundational award.

Common mistakes in NCEA 92046

• Saying summer is warmer because of more sunlight. NZQA's 2025 report says it is due to increased solar radiation, and candidates were credited for describing heat or insolation.
• Naming only some Moon phases. Know all five that the report mentions, in order, and the length of the Moon's orbit.
• Describing without explaining. The report says candidates who missed Merit did not explain why the Southern Hemisphere has four seasons or how the Moon's orbit affects its appearance.
• Ignoring the variation. To reach Excellence, discuss how temperature, day length or shadow length varies with time or latitude.
• Leaving questions unattempted. The report says many Achieved candidates answered only part of each question.

Read next

New Zealand · NCEA Level 1NCEA Level 1 Physics, Earth and Space Science guideNCEA Level 1 PESS explained: the Sun, Earth and Moon and energy externals, the two internals, the 2026 exam date, 2027 dates and worked examples.