When pupils enter S4, both the assessment system and the marking scale change. In addition to continuous performance and progress in learning, summative assessment becomes increasingly important.

The semester mark comprises two components: the A-mark and the B-mark.

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The A-mark represents formative assessment and reflects the pupil’s continuous performance, participation and development of competences throughout the semester.

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  • active and focused participation
  • quality of contributions in class
  • regular and consistent work in class and at home
  • a positive attitude towards learning
  • initiative, independence and autonomy
  • cooperation with peers
  • short written progress tests
  • oral assessments or presentations
  • individual progress

Teachers decide on the weighting of the individual aspects. These are linked to the competences pupils need to develop and to the attainment descriptors of the respective subject.

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The B-mark represents summative assessment and reflects the competences pupils have acquired over an extended period of time.

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Depending on the year group, the B-mark may be based on a B-test, an examination or another form of summative assessment task.

 

S4: one B-test per subject and semester (45 minutes)

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S5:  one B-test in the first semester (90 minutes) and one harmonised second semester examination (90–135 minutes) 

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S6: one B-test in the first semester (90 minutes) and one harmonised second semester examination (90–180 minutes)

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The final mark is more than an average – it is based on the teacher’s overall assessment of the pupil’s performance.

The final mark in a given subject reflects all observations and results available to the teacher throughout the school year. It provides the basis for judging the pupil’s progress and level of attainment.

The assessment system continues to comprise seven performance levels. Each level is characterised by a performance descriptor, a grade and a definition of general attainment. 

A pupil is deemed to have passed a subject with a mark of 5 (Sufficient – Grade E). From S4 onwards, pupils receive numerical marks from 0 to 10, awarded in increments of 0.5.

Notengebung in S4-S6
Performance descriptor Mark S1-S3 Mark S4-S6 Performance indicator
Excellent though not flawless performance entirely corresponding to the competences required by the subject A 10 / 9,0–9,5 Excellent
Very good performance almost entirely corresponding to the competences required by the subject B 8,0–8,5 Very Good
Good performance corresponding overall to the competences required by the subject C 7,0–7,5 Good
Satisfactory performance corresponding to the competences required by the subject D 6,0–6,5 Satisfactory
Performance corresponding to the minimum of the competences required by the subject E 5,0–5,5 Sufficient
Weak performance almost entirely failing to meet the competences required by the subject F 3,0–4,5 Failed (weak)
Very weak performance entirely failing to meet the competences required by the subject Fx 0–2,5 Failed (very weak)