Independent schools exits exams set for May 25

Source: Gulf Times

THE Supreme Education Council’s Evaluation Institute will hold the Qatar Senior School Certificate (QSSC) exit examinations for 12th graders during May 25-29 at all Independent Schools across the country.

The exit exams will test students’ abilities in mathematics, science, English and Arabic, and are based on the curriculum standards set by the Council.

About 1,378 students have been registered to participate in the four-day exams.

Explaining the structure of the exams at a forum yesterday, the Evaluation Institute’s assistant director Hamda al-Sulaiti said that most of the tests would comprise both multiple-choice and short-answer questions.

All the tests would be in English language but Arabic translations for mathematics and science tests would be available, she explained, adding that students are allowed to answer in the language of their choice.

The official said that a team of specialists comprising schools’ assessment judges (SAJ) would monitor the process and follow up on the cumulative and the final evaluations and the additional achievement of students.

She said that new features had been added to this year’s tests, which included the use of the approved national curriculum for 12th graders as standards for the tests and reconstruction of marks distribution.
“Last year, 60% of the total scores were from the internally conducted tests and the 40% were from the QSSC but this year, it incorporates both 50% each for both tests,” she said.

The QSSC consists of some key components - Overall Senior School Scores (QOSSS) which gives an indicator of the student’s academic performance in the four subjects; scale scores in each of the four focal curriculum areas, termed the Senior Schooling Scores (SSC) in Arabic, English, mathematic and science - a full listing of all school areas of study termed the Senior School Subject Assessment (SSSAs); and Additional School Accomplishments (ASAs) of student’s relevant non-academic school-related accomplishments.

The QSSC is administered for the second time by a panel of qualified educational experts led by al-Sulaiti and included QSSC manager Noor al-Huda al-Rasheed and some field supervisors.