Understanding the Importance of Formative Tests in Secondary Education

The Ministry of Education has highlighted the significance of formative tests in secondary school grades nine through 12. These tests, whose grades do not count towards the general average, play a crucial role in helping teachers determine student participation and interaction within the class, as well as their understanding of educational content.

Continuous Assessment Methods

The ministry has adopted different methods in the continuous assessment of third-year students in the three semesters of the current academic year 2024-2025. This approach enables teachers to determine the student’s true level and identify areas where they need improvement. The best assessment and testing practices are centered around the learner, allowing teachers to design the learning and teaching process and enhance students’ cognitive development and academic progress.

Assessment Throughout the Year

The Ministry of Education ensures that assessment throughout the year uses different methods to measure students’ knowledge and skills. This approach helps identify learning losses and determines the level of academic expectations of students according to educational level. The focus is on the cognitive growth of each student, retention, and helping teachers align teaching and learning plans to meet students’ needs and support their progress to the next stage.

Implementation of Examinations

As part of the procedure for implementing the examinations, teachers will conduct graded formative assessments for practical group “B” subjects at the end of the semester. These assessments will focus on centrally prescribed standards and procedures. Central examinations will also be implemented at the end of the semester for group “A” subjects, which require practical tests for students in schools.

Subject Groups

Group A includes eight subjects: Arabic, English, Islamic Education, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Social Studies. Group B includes seven subjects: Computing, Creative Design and Innovation, Arts, Physical and Health Education, Business Administration, Applied and Academic Specialization, Third Language, and Health Sciences.

Grading System

The ministry emphasizes the importance of entering all subject grades in numbers for ninth, tenth, and eleventh-grade students and converting them to letter grades in the performance report at the end of each semester. For Class XII students, Group “A” subject results are presented in letters, grades, and percentage, while Group “B” subjects are presented in letters only.

Diagnostic Tests

Diagnostic tests in Arabic, English, and Mathematics are applied to all third-year students. These tests guide learning and teaching plans, and their grades are recorded electronically, but they are not counted in the student’s academic performance grade.