External Evaluation of the European Baccalaureate (Annexes)

Comparison Table for comparison of assessment models
Use this table to make direct comparisons between the syllabuses in the following areas:
10. structure of the assessment model, including the format of assessment for the
specification/syllabus
11. whether coursework is assessed, the kinds of coursework assessed and contribution to overall
grade
12. whether oral assessment is part of the assessment model, and the extent and format of oral
assessment
13. whether the assessment model is unit-based or requires candidates to take a synoptic view of the
topics, and to what extent
NOTE: the prose commentary on the assessment models should draw attention to significant differences
in the requirements for the European baccalaureate and A Level or IB.
Assessment
structure,
format and
timings
European Baccalaureate Irish Leaving Certificate French
Language II is one of the compulsory
elements which make up the five
components of the EB. An overall average
of 60% is the basic requirement for the
award of the EB.
The percentage for each subject is
calculated as follows:
40% Preliminary Mark, teacher assessed,
made up of two elements:
a) 15% as an arithmetical average
of two end-of semester marks
awarded by the class teacher for
class work in each of the two
semesters in Year 7.
b) 25% awarded on the basis of
written class examinations at the end
of the first semester (end of January)
in Year 7. Examinations the same
length as in the external terminal
written EB examination.
36% mark from the externally set
terminal Written Examination, based on
Year 7 syllabus, but also testing
knowledge gained in previous years
(particularly Year 6). Scripts marked first
by candidate’s teacher and then by
external examiner.
The Language II written exam lasts three
hours (four in the case of Advanced
Language II [approfondissement]).
All texts, instructions and questions in
target language.
All answers in target language.
No dictionaries.
The Language II written exam is based
on a literary passage giving rise to:
21
• Study of a language other than
English and Irish is not compulsory
but there is a high uptake of
French in LC.
• Assessment is based on the work
covered throughout the
candidates’ six years in secondary
school.
• All elements of the examination
are based on the syllabus content.
• All examinations are externally set
by the State Examinations’
Commission. All candidates in the
State sit the same examination.
• There is no continuous
assessment. All assessment is by
means of a terminal examination.
An oral examination is conducted
in March or April of 6 th year and a
written paper and aural test in
June of the same year.
• There is no internal assessment.
All assessment is carried out by
external markers. In the case of
the written and aural examination,
complete anonymity of both
candidate and examiner is
maintained.
• No dictionaries or other aids are
permitted in the examination.
• The examination is set at two
levels, higher and ordinary.
Candidates do not have to opt
finally for one or other level until
the day of the written examination.
The format is similar at both levels
(e.g. same cd in listening test) but
questions and assessment criteria
are more demanding at higher
level.
The following is a description of the
higher level examination: