Focus on internal assessments for fair grades, students in Dubai told

Dubai - Last year, many students were left disgruntled feeling that they did not get deserved marks after the cancellation of external board exams.

Schools are urging students to focus more on internal assessments as it is increasingly becoming crucial during board evaluations.

Last year, many students were left disgruntled feeling that they didn’t get deserved marks after the cancellation of external board exams last year – including the International Baccalaureate, A-levels and some Indian Affiliated Boards.

Coursework and internal tests are equally important like external exams, said Gemma Thornley, Secondary Principal, GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail. “The situation that arose last year with schools having to mark cohorts of students through Centre Assessed Grades (CAGs) has led to schools speculating about where we could be in the summer of 2021. As it stands, the examination boards in England have advised that examinations will go ahead as advertised, albeit with a few more weeks to prepare. But students should have plenty of opportunity for internal quality assessments that will stand as CAG predictions if the same format as 2020 were to be applied.”

She advised students to prepare for what is to be true at this moment in time. “Even if the situation with traditional examinations were to change, the skills, content and subject knowledge the students are learning will set them up for the next steps in their educational career.”

Given the extraordinary nature of the examination process this year, it is prudent for all schools to prepare for any eventuality, said Simon Crane, headmaster Brighton College Dubai. “We have introduced additional ‘mock examinations’ to support our pupils and is continuing to monitor information closely from the boards, educational and exam regulators, governments and others. As with all examinations, my advice is for pupils to take them seriously, work hard and seek continuous advice. Everyone will need to show exemplary resilience over the next few months.”

Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School said: “Students in our school are aware that the marks of the internal assessment will be considered in calculating the final grades. We take assessments to understand the level of students and for further planning. It is important that we do not create any additional stress as students are already going through a difficult time.”