This year’s final exams scrapped and substituted with “controlled” test

The department of basic education has abandoned grade 10 and 11 pupils’ exams and substituted them with “controlled” tests.

Initially, the grade 10 and 11 pupils promotion depended largely on the outcome of the results achieved in final exams. The overall marks counted for 300 of the 400 marks in total for each subject. The remaining 100 marks is meant for tests, assignments, and projects, which is known as school-based assessment (SBA).

There’s been a reduction in the weighting for the exams, which will be written as tests for this year only with 75% to 40% reduction. However, the weighting for the SBA has been increased from 25% to 60%.

The requirements for revised promotion are detailed in a circular dated September 12 which was signed by basic education director-general – Mathanzima Mweli. According to the circular:

“The additional loss of teaching time due to rotational attendance, Covid-19 infections and the additional four-week closure has resulted in a variable completion of the annual teaching plans.”

An hour duration is designated for grade 10 papers while two hours designated for grade 11 papers.

According to the circular, “controlled tests should be set only on content taught.”

“The controlled Test must cover a substantial portion of the curriculum taught, preferably work covered in all terms, wherever possible.”

The circular also stated that the Test must be done under contained conditions.

“Fundamental subjects like languages, maths and maths literacy will offer the required number of papers with a reduced duration. All elective subjects to reduce the number of papers to one Test per subject.”