The Singapore education system has always been renowned for its academic rigour. However, in recent years, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has initiated a shift in the nation’s educational system, particularly in the way younger students are assessed. Most notably, there are no more mid-year and year-end exams for students in Primary 1 and 2. Over the years, schools have progressively shifted away from exams, while implementing weighted assessments that focus on learning for understanding rather than rote memorisation.
Currently, primary and secondary schools in Singapore have implemented weighted assessments at the following levels as per MOE directives:
Level |
How are students assessed? |
Primary 1 and 2 |
No weighted assessments No mid-year or year-end examinations Qualitative descriptors used to assess students’ learning progress |
Primary 3 to 6 Secondary 1 to 4 |
Weighted assessments every term No mid-year examinations Year-end examinations |
These changes reflect the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) ‘Learn for Life’ approach, which prioritises developing well-rounded individuals with a love for learning. However, what are weighted assessments (WAs), and how do they benefit your child?
Weighted Assessments: A Different Kind of Evaluation
There is typically one weighted assessment (WA) per subject per term, and the assessment is shorter than a full exam paper. With the removal of mid-year exams, WAs are conducted at suitable junctures throughout the term and can take various forms, including class tests, quizzes, presentations, or even group projects.
For Example, Weight Assessments for a Primary 3 Student Could Take the Following Forms in Term 2:
English
Weighted assessments for a Primary 3 student will include mini tests that feature some sections of the full paper. For example, schools might only test grammar and vocabulary MCQs and a cloze passage.
Mathematics
Bite-sized weighted assessments that assess students’ understanding of the topics covered in the term using different question formats such as multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions and long-answer questions. Instead of the typical written tests, the weighted assessments may take the form of performance tasks in which students are required to carry out more open-ended tasks incorporating the use of manipulatives and make observations to answer the questions.
Science
Short weighted assessments worth 15 to 30 marks with 5 to 9 multiple choice questions and 2 to 5 open-ended questions on topics covered during the term. WAs may also cover topics taught in previous years.
Weighted Assessments for a Secondary 3 Student Could Take the Following Forms in Term 2:
English
Weighted assessments for English involve mini tests that feature some sections of the full paper. For example, schools might only test a shorter version of situational writing. For essay writing, they may just ask for an essay plan with a few short paragraphs, while for Reading Comprehension, they may set questions only for one passage.
Mathematics
Short weighted assessments that assess students’ understanding of topics covered in the term with longer structured questions. In secondary school, there is a greater emphasis for students to clearly present steps and ensure their answers express a certain degree of accuracy to avoid losing marks.
Biology / Chemistry / Physics
Short weighted assessments worth 35 to 40 marks with 5 to 10 multiple choice questions and 5 structured questions or just 8 structured questions on topics covered during the term.
The scores from these WAs contribute to a student’s final grade in a subject at the end of the year, with each WA carrying a specific weight.
An example of how the weightage of WAs and exams might be distributed across the year for a student is as follows*:
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
Total |
Weighted Assessment (10%) |
Weighted Assessment (15%) |
Weighted Assessment (10%) |
Semestral Assessment (65%) |
100% |
*The exact distribution of weightage between terms can differ between schools.
So, how exactly does the removal of mid-year exams and the introduction of weighted assessments by MOE benefit your child? Here are some key advantages:
Reduced Test Anxiety
Exams, particularly at a young age, can be a source of significant stress. By replacing the previous continual assessments and semestral assessments in Terms 1 to 3 with smaller, weighted assessments that hold less weightage each term, the pressure to perform well on a single day each term is lessened. This allows students to approach learning with a more relaxed and curious mindset.
Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
Weighted assessments across the academic year act as consistent feedback loops which provide teachers with opportunities to identify areas where students might be struggling, and hence provide targeted support. They also provide checkpoints for teachers to determine students’ readiness for their next level of education.
Promotion of Holistic Development
The removal of mid-year exams and the move away from examinations in general, reduces emphasis on grades, allowing for a more holistic approach to learning. Teachers have more time to incorporate activities that nurture creativity, critical thinking and collaboration — skills that are equally important for success in life.
Development of a Growth Mindset and Increase in Intrinsic Motivation to Learn
The reduced emphasis on exams also offers students the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and improve their performance without worrying about grades. This fosters a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning rather than as roadblocks.
A Collaborative Effort: Working with Teachers
While the removal of mid-year exams and the introduction of weighted assessments mark a positive shift in our academic landscape, it is important to remember that your child’s education is a collaborative effort between parents and teachers. Here are some ways you can support your child’s learning journey:
Communicate with Teachers
Regularly discuss your child’s progress with his / her teachers. This will help you understand the specific areas they are focusing on in school and how you can support learning at home.
Encourage a Growth Mindset
Talk to your child about the importance of learning from mistakes and view challenges as opportunities to improve, rather than as failures.
Make Learning a Positive Experience
Create a nurturing learning environment at home. Encourage your child’s curiosity and support him or her as he or she pursues various areas of interest in his or her learning journey. Provide your child with opportunities to connect what he or she has learnt in the classroom to real-world experiences.
Preparing for School-based Assessments with TLL
At TLL, we understand the need for students and parents to have checkpoints throughout the year to identify how well students have understood the concepts learnt, as well as what learning gaps there are so that targeted learning support can be provided. This consistent, structured approach aligns well with the new weighted assessment system introduced by MOE and empowers our students to thrive in the new educational environment.
Learning Checkpoints
To assess students’ mastery of concepts learnt throughout the year, TLL implements strategic touchpoints across each term. These help teachers and students gauge if the students have achieved the learning outcomes intended for the term and are ready to tackle various tasks and assessments they encounter in school.
Revision Practices
These take the form of consistent practice for the different topics and components for each subject through class practices, quizzes or tutorials. These are similar in format to the various types of weighted assessments students will encounter in school.
We also continually hone students’ skills in tackling various question types and components and managing pitfalls through targeted handouts. These include error analysis worksheets, skills-based modules and notes that build up content knowledge.
We also have additional revision resources on our in-house learning management system, TLL.360, to boost our primary students’ preparations for their school assignments and assessments.
Topical, Thematic, and Practice Tests
During the school year, we provide tests that simulate exam formats at regular intervals so that students gain familiarity with the respective papers of each subject. During these learning checkpoints, students will also get to practise their time management skills, as well as apply question analysis and answering techniques they have learnt throughout the term.
On top of practice tests, English students also get to have one-on-one oral practices with the teacher.
The addition of weighted assessments and the removal of mid-year exams in Primary and Secondary school signifies a shift towards a more holistic and student-centered approach to education in Singapore. Students have more opportunities to explore their academic interests and discover their strengths, more room for self-directed learning, as well as have additional time to fully adjust to the added curriculum breadth and depth they experience as they move up each level across their schooling years.
By embracing this change and working collaboratively with teachers, both in school and at The Learning Lab, you can ensure your child has a positive and enriching learning experience in his or her school years.
Looking for a way to support your child’s educational journey with the new weighted assessment system? Consider exploring The Learning Lab’s programmes. Focused on developing confident and successful learners, our teaching philosophy is well-aligned with MOE’s initiative to cultivate holistic students, ensuring your child is well-prepared to excel under Singapore’s new weighted assessment framework.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our programmes, please email us at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you.
