Natural Sciences - Department of Basic Education

National Curriculum Statement Assessment GuidelinesForms of AssessmentANNEXURE 1Assessment can be done using different forms or types. These forms of assessment are really different kindsof activities that we can ask the learners to do, in order to show us their competence. Thereafter we mustdecide whether the activity will serve a formative or summative purpose. Teachers should select the formof assessment depending on the purpose of the assessment. The chosen forms must provide a range ofopportunities for learners to demonstrate attainment of knowledge, skills, values and attitudes. Thefollowing forms of assessment are recommended, to support the development of assessment tasksspecifically in the Natural Sciences Learning Area;■ Investigation activities■ Projects■ Research■ Assignments■ Performance based assessments■ Practical demonstration■ Tests■ Case studies■ Simulations■ Role-play■ Translation tasks■ Interviews■ Questionnaires■ Structured questions■ Mind mapping■ Concept mapping■ Brainstorming tasks■ Functional writing■ PresentationsThere are other forms of assessment that can be useful in the assessment process as listed here but are notgenerally used in science:■ Spoken language (oral presentations)■ Creative writingIt is of utmost importance that the form of assessment used should match the outcomes being assessed.Otherwise the assessment may not be valid (i.e. it may not measure what it is supposed to measure). Forexample, teachers should not try to measure scientific practical skills solely with a written paper and penciltest. The form of assessment should suit the purpose of the assessment. By answering the followingquestions, a teacher can decide what type of activity best suits the assessment at hand.■ What type of knowledge (reasoning, memory or process) or skill am I actually trying to assess?■ What should my learners know?■ At what level should my students be performing?■ Which form of assessment will best allow my learners to demonstrate their abilities in theskills/knowledge?22