O Levels: exams will now only make up 70% of students' mark

Students sitting for SEC (O Level) exams as of next year get 30 per cent of their overall mark from an assessment of their performance in class. 

While the examination will make up 70 per cent of a student's overall mark, the remaining score will come from an ongoing assessment carried out during the final three years of secondary school. 

The measure was announced by the Education Ministry's Director General Jude Zammit during the TVM show Insights. 

"While assessment through exams is important, formative assessment is also crucial. This is a continuous assessment where the teacher will be giving on-the-spot feedback to the student that will in itself help the student learn more," Zammit said. 

According to Zammit, the change will come into force from the next O level sessions, which will be held in May 2023. 

He did not explain how the ongoing assessment component of students' mark would be calculated for this coming year. 

Zammit said the education sector, as well as the employment sector, are both changing at a rapid pace and it is crucial that the authorities carry out updates that reflect this. 

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