The Auckland Secondary Principals Association says students in Auckland, Waikato and Northland do not have to sit NCEA exams next week.
Teenagers are getting mixed messages - some of the city's schools say it's up to students whether they sit their exams because they can get an Unexpected Event Grade.
Others are insisting students turn up. Auckland Secondary Principals Association president Steve Hargreaves says the rules are clear.
He spoke to Corin Dann.