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The breakdown of the tests over the four terms is summarised from the NCS assessment programme as follows:
Term 1: One test of at least 50 marks, and one hour or two/three tests of at least 40 minutes each.
Term 2: Either one test (of at least 50 marks) or an assignment.
Term 3: Two tests, each of at least 50 marks and one hour.
Term 4: One test of at least 50 marks .
Investigations and projects consist of open-ended questions that initiate and expand thought processes. Acquiring and developing problem-solving skills are an essential part of doing investigations and projects. These tasks provide learners with the opportunity to investigate, gather information, tabulate results, make conjectures and justify or prove these conjectures. Examples of investigations and projects and possible marking rubrics are provided in the next section on assessment support. The NCS assessment programme indicates that only one project or investigation (of at least 50 marks) should be included per year. Although the project/investigation is scheduled in the assessment programme for the first term, it could also be done in the second term.
The NCS includes the following tasks as good examples of assignments:
The NCS assessment programme requires one assignment in term 2 (of at least 50 marks) which could also be a combination of some of the suggested examples above. More information on these suggested examples of assignments and possible rubrics are provided in the following section on assessment support.
Educators are also all familiar with this summative form of assessment that is usually completed twice a year: mid-year examinations and end-of-year examinations. These are similar to the tests but cover a wider range of topics completed prior to each examination. The NCS stipulates that each examination should also cover the four cognitive levels according to their recommended weightings as summarised in the section above on tests. The following table summarises the requirements and information from the NCS for the two examinations.
Examination | Marks | Breakdown | Content and Mark Distribution |
Mid-Year Exam | 100 50 + 50 | One paper: 2 hours
or Two papers: each of 1 hour |
Topics completed |
End-of-Year Exam | 100 + | Paper 1: 2 hours | Number patterns (±10)
Algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities (±25) Functions (±35) Exponents (±10) Finance (±10) Probability (±10) |
100 | Paper 2: 2 hours | Trigonometry (±45)
Analytical geometry (±15) Euclidean geometry and measurement (±25) Statistics (±15) |
In the annual teaching plan summary of the NCS in Mathematics for Grade 10, the pace setter section provides a detailed model of the suggested topics to be covered each week of each term and the accompanying formal assessment.
Assessment for learning tends to be more informal and focuses on using assessment in and of daily classroom activities that can include:
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