Assessments

In line with the School’s Vision of nurturing mindful global citizens, AIS consistently adopts the highest standards of teaching and assessment to facilitate excellent progress in learning for all students. This aims to establish and evaluate the school-wide systems and processes, design and implement consistent, coherent and valid assessments. Analyse assessment data to inform curriculum and teaching, and learning. Monitor student-learning outcomes to provide necessary interventions. The school reports the detailed student outcomes to all stakeholders through OHMs/monthly meetings. In KG, we have continuous and comprehensive assessments to identify children’s progress, understand their needs and plan activities to support their learning. It helps us communicate the achievements and milestones in their developmental areas to parents, and provides an opportunity to work collaboratively to support them as they grow holistically.

ADEK /CBSE Assessment System has categorised the types of assessments as follows:

1. Standardized Benchmark Assessment(S B A )

SBAs are developed by external assessment providers and are administered annually in accordance with ADEK Assessment Policy. Mandated based on curriculum and medium of instruction, they are used to determine student attainment and progress. As per the ADEK Assessment Policy, our school has opted for ACER-IBT as mandatory for all Grades 3 to 9 students, which includes the mandatory assessment for the native Arabic-speaking students. The applicable fee for this SBA is collected along with the tuition fees every year

a) ACER-IBT is a skill-based test which measures conceptual understanding and benchmarks the
school’s performance at international, national & regional levels in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. It is administered to students from Grades 3 to 9 every year.

b) Arabic Assessment (AA) is an assessment that aims to measure the attainment and progress of
students in the Arabic language. As per the ADEK Assessment Policy, it is mandated to administer this assessment to all Grades 3 to 8 native Arabic speakers. School presently offers online assessments from Grades 3 to 8 and is designed for native Arabic speakers who are following the Arabic A option aligned to the Arabic curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education. The Arabic A Tests are designed to provide a clear picture of the skill set of the students and the level they are at, giving them an opportunity to identify and improve on their weaknesses.

2. Internal Assessments

Internal Assessment is an ongoing school-based assessment that measures student learning, achievement, skills development, and/or values/attitudes. Internal assessments include a variety of assessments, such as baseline tests, placement, screening, Periodic tests (PT) and term-end examinations.

a) Baseline assessment:
Baseline Assessment is conducted at the beginning of the academic year. This assessment will be based on their previously acquired knowledge. Baseline tests will help in identifying the gaps and preparing them for the new learning outcomes, and also generating feedback.

b) Periodic assessment
Evaluating the level of students in their recent work, knowledge, skills and the extent of students' understanding, applying curriculum standards. It involves asking students to answer well-thought-out high-order questions, such as ‘why and how’, which promotes in-depth thinking. Assessment is measured, and feedback is provided.

c) Term-end examinations
Evaluates students' learning at the end of every Term through assessments: This score will be used to plan the lessons in subsequent courses. Questions are prepared with applied Bloom's in differentiated levels. Problem-solving and opportunities for students to be innovative and engage in enterprise and research activities are included as an intrinsic part of learning.


3. CBSE Board Examination.

These are high-stakes standardised assessments that validate the completion of a secondary certificate. Administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi, to Grade X and XII students. It advocates continuous and comprehensive evaluation with an emphasis on holistic development of learners, which is a Pre- prerequisite for the next level of their university learning.


4. Other Mandatory External Assessments

a) Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment and research project designed to measure reading achievement at the fourth-grade level, as well as school and teacher practices related to instruction. Fourth-grade students complete a reading assessment and questionnaire that addresses students’ attitudes toward reading and their reading habits. PIRLS is sponsored by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) and conducted in the United States by the National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES). There is no fee involved in conducting this assessment.

b) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an assessment developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It measures a 15-year-old's ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges. The PISA assessment is administered every three years, and since 2012, the assessment has focused on a different innovative domain each year. There is no fee involved in conducting this assessment. 

c) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)
The IEA’s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)is a series of international assessments of the mathematics and science knowledge of students around the world. The participating students come from a diverse set of educational systems (countries or regional jurisdictions of countries) in terms of economic development, geographical location, and population size. Contextual data about the conditions in which participating students learn mathematics and science are collected from the students and their teachers, their principals, and their parents via questionnaires. There is no fee involved in conducting this assessment.


5. M O E Assessments

a) Unified Exams
Administered by MOE to Grade XII students every year in Arabic and Islamic subjects, the attainment is targeted for better language skills and Islamic values, which is a significant pre-requisite for the next level of education in combination with CBSE.

b) The Emirates Standardised Test(EmSAT)
EmSAT is a national system of standardised computer-based tests, based on the United Arab Emirates national standards. Students who wish to pursue his/her studies in the UAE Universities are mandatory to attend the assessment.

c) Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning (SAFAL)
SAFAL is a competency-based assessment for Grades 3, 5 and 8 to assess the progress of foundational skills and basic learning outcomes/competencies among students. This assessment has been introduced recently by CBSE based on the NEP 2020.

6. Other School-Based External Assessments

These exams are purely voluntary. The students who opt for these exams are required to pay the applicable fees additionally.

a) Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exams
These assessments provide an objective ranking of students’ performance in directing academic success. Administers to students from Grade 1 to 12 every year in English, Science, Mathematics, GK, cyber, Commerce (11th and 12th grades), Social Science (Grades 3-10).

b) National Astronomy & Science Olympiad (NASO)
NASO is the World's biggest Astronomy & Space Olympiad exam for school students. It is a scientifically designed and practically matured Exam that is divided into two Levels.
National Astronomy & Science Olympiad is a Joint venture of Navars Edutech and "Starquest Planetarium" Which is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited organisation.

c) Royal Spell Bee:
The school conducts Spell bee competition every year to inspire the children of today to master their spellings (KG2 -Grade 8). Applicable fee 

d) Mental Math Competition
Ignited Mind Lab conducts the biggest Mental Math Competition in India and the Middle East for children of Grade KG2 to 7. This program aims to develop interest in Mental Maths and improve the speed and accuracy of solving problems, develops competitive attitude at an early age and prepares the foundation for future competitive examinations.