Ministry of Education: Single short exam per subject for middle, secondary, and 4th and 5th grade primary students

The Ministry of Education announced on Thursday the adoption of “a single short test per subject during the current academic period” for students in the middle and secondary stages, as well as the fourth and fifth grades of the primary stage, in line with its commitment to safeguarding students’ interests and developing the assessment system to ensure fairness and equal opportunities among students.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Education said the decision stipulates that the highest score will be counted for students who took two short tests in any subject, thereby considering students’ interests and ensuring fairness in evaluating their academic performance.

It clarified that this arrangement does not apply to primary stage students from the first to the third grades, whose assessments will continue to be conducted in accordance with the Comprehensive Education Regulations, which mandate two short tests per subject, each worth five marks.

The Ministry emphasized its commitment to adhering to the provisions of the Comprehensive Education Regulations and standardizing assessment procedures across all educational stages and schools, ensuring clarity in grading mechanisms, guaranteeing equal opportunities for learners, and taking into account individual differences and academic achievement levels.

It added that the reorganization of exams is part of its ongoing efforts to develop educational and assessment practices, and to strike a balance between measuring students’ academic achievement and considering their academic circumstances, thereby contributing to providing an encouraging learning environment that supports learning and enhances the outcomes of the educational process.