The programme encourages a balance between formative and summative assessment, using a range of activities within units to allow students to use and demonstrate a full range of thinking skills. Assessment strategies used by teachers also combine teacher-led assessment, group and/or peer evaluation, and student self-assessment.
Assessment in the MYP is criterion referenced, which means that MBIS teachers measure student attainment against specified criteria rather than against other individuals in the class.
Assessments are ongoing through out the year. The grades are reflected in the semester report.
Criterion Referenced Assessment
For each of the subject areas taught at MBIS, there is a set of criteria established by the IB MYP.
For each criterion, there is a level awarded, based on student performance at the time of assessment. There are clear descriptors that explain as clearly as possible what each student has been able to achieve at that point in time.
When the points for each criterion are added up, the student‘s overall score falls within a Point Range, which equates to an IB Grade Equivalent. The IB Grade Equivalent gives the student a final grade for that curriculum area of between 1 and 7.
External Assessment (eAssessment)
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is a framework for teaching and learning, organized around teachers’ judgment of achievement against pre-published criteria. Formal recognition of achievement for MYP year 5 students is provided by the IB via eAssessment.
eAssessment comprises three strategies for assessing what students know and are able to do:
- ePortfolios of carefully defined coursework in language acquisition, arts, design and physical and health education, using a process of dynamic sampling to moderate results to a global standard
- on-screen examinations (two hours in duration) for selected courses in language and literature, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary learning
- personal project; a student-centred and age-appropriate extended project in which students consolidate their learning throughout the programme. While other eAssessments are optional for schools, all MYP year
5 students must take part in personal project eAssessment.
MYP eAssessment model
At MBIS we recognize eAssessments as a value added assessment for placing students in a similar situation of external examination as DP exam. The eAssessment results also benefit us to inform our teaching and learning. The school has decided to issue internal school report to MYP 5 students as we believe that school report is a holistic report which assesses students’ true potential by assessing them in different ways depending on their learning style. This form of assessment is not possible in an external examination which is based on a two hour written response.
The descriptors on the table summarize what the IB grades mean.
| Grades used in the IB MYP Grade | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 (Very Poor) | Minimal achievement in terms of the objectives. |
| Grade 2 (Poor) | Very limited achievement against all the objectives. The student has difficulty in understanding the required knowledge and skills, and is unable to apply them fully in normal situations, even with support. |
| Grade 3 (Needs Support) | Limited achievement against most of the objectives, or clear difficulties in some areas. The student demonstrates a limited understanding of the required knowledge and skills and is only able to apply them fully in normal situations with support. |
| Grade 4 (Satisfactory) | A good general understanding of the required knowledge and skills and the ability to apply them effectively in normal situations. There is occasional evidence of the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. |
| Grade 5 (Good) | A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them in a variety of situations. The student generally shows evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation where appropriate and occasionally demonstrates originality and insight. |
| Grade 6 (Very Good) | A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them in a wide variety of situation. Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation where appropriate. The student generally demonstrates originality and insight. |
| Grade 7 (Excellent) | A consistent and thorough understanding of the required knowledge and skills, and the ability to apply them almost faultlessly in a wide variety of situations. Consistent evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation where appropriate. The student consistently demonstrates originality and insight and always produces work of high quality. |
Best Effort Award
Students get a Best effort award for every subject in each year group. This is decided by the teacher. The student who put in his/her best effort to reach his/ her maximum potential gets this award. This student may not be the highest achiever academically.