The Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced substantial updates to the Student Assessment Regulations for the academic year 2025 AD (1447 AH), which included important decisions related to testing mechanisms in the primary grades, as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to raise the quality of educational outcomes and ensure that students possess foundational skills.
Final exams for primary grades return
In a move aimed at enhancing academic achievement, the new regulations introduce a final assessment (final exams) for mathematics and Arabic language for first and second grade elementary students, as well as first grade in continuing education programs. This decision aims to ensure that students acquire fundamental reading, writing, and arithmetic skills at an early stage.
As for the rest of the school grades, the regulations stipulated that the final assessment would include mathematics, Arabic language, English language, Chinese language, and science, while formative (continuous) assessment would suffice for the rest of the other school subjects.
Development context and the importance of basic skills
These amendments are part of a package of regulatory updates focused on addressing learning loss and enhancing learning outcomes, in line with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program (one of the programs of the Kingdom's Vision 2030). The Ministry emphasizes that the progression of students in the first and second grades of primary school to subsequent stages is now contingent upon their mastery of reading and writing skills, as these are the fundamental pillars of any future learning.
Regulations for tests, attendance, and absence
The new regulations precisely organized the exam dates, stipulating that final exams would be held during the last week of each semester as part of the regular school day, while end-of-year and second-round exams would be held in the last two weeks of the school year.
Regarding school discipline, the ministry has established strict regulations, which emphasize the following:
- Short tests will not be retaken for students who are absent without an acceptable excuse.
- The student will be deprived of full marks for participation, interaction, and classroom activities in the event of unjustified absence.
- Organizing the evaluation of self-learning electronic materials through the "Noor" system under the supervision of the school.
Grade distribution and conditional percentage
To ensure fairness in assessment, the Ministry has approved the application of a conditional weighting (20%) of the written exam grade for subjects with a final assessment in the primary and intermediate levels, as well as at the end of each semester in the secondary level. It also emphasized the importance of continuous assessment for subjects with a practical or oral component, with a particular focus in Quranic studies on correct recitation, memorization, and interpretation to guarantee the quality of Islamic education.
