Key Stage Three
Pupils are required to attend their classes regularly during the academic year. Their teachers assess them through tests and weekly quizzes throughout the year. A report will be sent to the parents every trimester, containing the grades of the exams as well as any comment from the teachers concerning either the academic performance or the behaviour of the pupils throughout the trimester.
As for the end of year assessments, at the end of years 7 and 8, pupils have to pass internal school assessments in all the subjects they are studying.
In year 9, checkpoint assessments are provided by University of Cambridge International Examinations for the three core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science).
Cambridge Checkpoint is a set of tests in English, Mathematics and Science, aiming to help pupils learn. Checkpoint is not a formal qualification with a certificate, although a Statement of Achievement is produced. It is a way in which CIE can help pupils make the most of their educational opportunities. They are targeting pupils who are planning to pursue the IGCSE system. The checkpoint curriculum is taught over two years, year 7 & year 8. The School timetable for both year 7 & year 8 pupils include French, German, I.T, Art, and Leader in Me as well as Physical Education lessons together with the three core subjects. Pupils are also required to study the Ministry of Education curriculum, and pass the Ministry exams, for Arabic Language, Religion and Social Studies.
Checkpoint tests have two papers for each subject. In the case of Science, the two papers are equal in terms of demand on pupils. In English, paper 1 contains lower-level questions than paper 2. In Mathematics, papers are divided into calculators and non-calculator.
Pupils receive a statement of achievement from the school after years 7 and 8 and another one from Cambridge if they take the checkpoint tests in year 8. Cambridge also issues a report for every candidate at the end of year 8.
Pupils are also required to study the Ministry of Education curriculum, and pass the Ministry exams, for Arabic Language, Religion and Social Studies.
In order to be promoted to year 10, pupils should pass in the five IGCSE Core subjects they study (English as a Second Language, Mathematics and the three Science subjects -Biology, Chemistry and Physics- at the ‘Core’ level).