Thousands of young people have failed new co-requisite NCEA literacy and numeracy tests.

It's the first year students have needed to pass them to achieve NCEA - and in May, 54 percent failed the maths test.

Secondary Principals' Council chair Kate Gainsford says it's not the end of their NCEA journey because students get repeated opportunities.

She explained there's the online external and extra standards made available from an approved list next year - and the following.

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