Speech and Drama Exams in NZ: How to Choose the Right Path

This guide explains how speech and drama exams NZ work, and how to choose the right option for your child. TFT values both exam boards and the below is the opinion and professional recommendation of TFT Founder Speech NZ.

Ahhh… Ten Feet Tall is now making you choose.

Exam vs non-exam.Then, if you choose exams — Speech NZ or Trinity College London. How would you know?

Yes, sorry, we are a little more annoying this year — and there is a reason. A far less annoying reason.

We want parents to be intentional about the skills they add to their child’s curriculum vitae, and to feel supported in making the right choices for their child.

Why This Decision Matters More Than You Think

Whatever age your child is now, it’s worth scanning forward to higher education or university life. Some universities ask for a cv of extra-curricular activities. For a first job, many employers are looking beyond grades — they want young people who can communicate clearly, present confidently, and feel comfortable speaking with one person or many.

Speech and Drama examinations sit squarely in that space. They are not about pressure or “testing for the sake of it.” They are about recognising real skills and giving students a sense of achievement for work that matters.

Exam vs Non-Exam Classes: What’s the Difference?

Non-exam classes focus on skill development with our recently designed TFT Achievement Standards. They are excellent for students building confidence, enjoying performance, and growing steadily over time. They are especially useful for:

• students who start developing their speaking and performing later
• resistant students where just getting them to consider the class is enough
• students who are busy but parents know they need these important life skills

We really believe in our students having a focussed goal with the time to develop their communication skills  – this is why we have created Ten Feet Tall achievement standards. Achievement standards are assessed during class and our end of term open classes.

Exam classes add an additional layer:

• a clear external goal with set pieces
• formal exam occasion with feedback from examiners
• a recognised qualification from an exam board
• evidence of perseverance, rehearsal and preparation

Neither is “better” — they serve different purposes at different times. Here’s a simple way to think about the difference.

Speech and Drama Exams NZ: Your Two Options

In New Zealand, there are two main Speech and Drama examination boards:

• Speech NZ

• Trinity College London

Both are excellent. The right choice depends on your child, and it’s also possible for students to sit exams from both boards at different stages. Students do not need to progress grade by grade — that’s a decision we make with parents, using our experience to choose the most appropriate level.

Speech NZ Examinations: Flexible, Supportive, Confidence-Building

Speech NZ is a not-for-profit, registered charitable trust with over 60 years’ experience as Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading oral provider. Their focus is on developing confident, capable communicators.

Children are registered for graded exams aligned with their age. They prepare a set number of pieces, including:

• prepared pieces they have practised

• impromptu pieces, where the topic is given with a short preparation time

Junior students can sit exams in groups, which makes the experience positive and supportive. We want children to leave knowing that exams can be fun. Senior students have options to apply for Speech NZ scholarships and access more academic pathways, including Diploma and Leadership programmes.

Ten Feet Tall offers a range of Speech NZ exams. Most of our students sit Flexi Speaking and Performing Syllabus examinations from Year 4.

Examiners are based throughout New Zealand, with options to sit exams face-to-face or online. Students receive a badge, certificate, and a detailed written report highlighting strengths and areas for development. Results are awarded as Pass, Credit, Merit, or Honours.

Speech NZ exams are excellent for a wide range of students — from shy to extroverted. We consistently see significant leaps in confidence, and every student leaves the exam telling us it was fun.

Trinity College London: Structured, International, Performance-Focused

Trinity College London is an international examination board recognised by universities and workplaces worldwide. They offer Speech and Drama, Acting, Communication Skills, and graded exams through to Diploma level.

Because Trinity is international, their exams are more tightly standardised. They focus more heavily on acting and public speaking, with fewer impromptu and communication-based elements than Speech NZ.

Students are registered for graded exams aligned with their age and sit exams individually, often with an examiner visiting from overseas. Pieces are prepared in advance, and students are awarded scores for each component, leading to Pass, Merit, or Distinction results. Trinity exams suit students who:

• enjoy a very structured syllabus

• feel confident sitting exams independently

• may be considering overseas university pathways

Students receive a formal certificate and handwritten examiner notes following the exam.

Diploma Level: A Significant Achievement

Both exam boards offer pathways from initial grades through to Diploma level. Diploma exams are typically undertaken by Year 12–13 students and involve study at a first-year university level, leading to an ATCL-level qualification.

Our Role: Helping You Choose Well

We never set out to annoy parents. But from experience — especially when speaking with our university graduates — the most important part is planning.

We are here to talk with you about your child’s current confidence, skills in acting, communication, and public speaking, and to work together to find the pathway that best supports their growth.

That’s our role. And we take it seriously.

Which Speech & Drama Path Is Right for My Child?

Question 1: How confident is your child right now?

⬜ My child is shy, hesitant, or still finding their voice

⬜ My child is comfortable but still developing confidence

⬜ My child is confident, expressive, and enjoys performing or speaking

If your child is shy or still developing confidence → Start with Speech NZ, where flexibility, support, and confidence-building are prioritised.

If your child is confident think about – would they be comfortable to sit the exam alone? Would they flourish more in a group or individually?  →Trinity College is excellent for students who prefer to do things by themselves.

Question 2: How much structure does your child enjoy?

⬜ My child prefers flexibility and choice

⬜ My child likes some structure but also freedom

⬜ My child thrives on clear structure and defined expectations

If your child thrives on structure →Consider Trinity College London, particularly Communication Skills or Speech and Drama

If your child is academic ask us about Speech NZ Speech and Drama or Public Speaking exam grades.

Speech NZ is excellent for students who love to be able to choose their pieces, for parents who want to focus on specific areas.

Question 3: What is your child’s age and experience level?

⬜ Years 3–6 or new to exams

⬜ Years 7–8 or with some experience

⬜ Years 9–13 planning ahead for senior years or university

If your child is new to our classes or younger → Speech NZ is usually the best starting point.
If your child is older and planning ahead → A combination of Speech NZ and Trinity College London may be appropriate.

If you’d like help thinking this through for your child, our team is always happy to talk it through with you.

Comparison Guide