FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

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 1. CONCEPT OF SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (PBS)

QUESTION ANSWER
1.1 What is PBS? PBS is a holistic form of assessment which
assesses the cognitive, affective and psychomotor
domains encompassing intellectual, emotional,
spiritual and physical aspects. Thus PBS is in
tandem with the Primary School Standard
Curriculum as well as the National Education
Philosophy. PBS can be used for both formative as
well as summative assessment thus practising the
concept of assessment for learning as well as
assessment of learning.
PBS assesses both academic and non-academic
fields. It is planned and executed by the school
with adherence to procedures set forth by the
Examinations Syndicate.
PBS is made up of two categories : academic and
non-academic. The academic category is made up
of School Assessment (PS) and Central
Assessment (PP). The non-academic component is
made up of Psychometric Assessment (PPsi) and
Assessment of Physical, Sports and Co-curricular
Activities (PAJSK).

QUESTION ANSWER
1.2 Is PBS new? No. Teachers have already carried out PBS through

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 Penilaian Kerja Amali (PEKA), Ujian Lisan
Berasaskan Sekolah (ULBS), Pentaksiran Lisan
Berasaskan Sekolah (PLBS), Perkara Asas Fardu Ain
(PAFA), projects, quizzes, question and answer
sessions, presentations and others.

PBS began in Year One in 2011 and Form One in

1.3 When was the improved PBS implemented? 2012.

PBS is made up of two categories : academic and

1.4 What are the components of PBS?
non-academic. The academic category is made up of
School Assessment (PS) and Central Assessment
(PP). The non-academic component is made up of
Psychometric Assessment (PPsi) and Assessment of
Physical, Sports and Co-curricular Activities (PAJSK).

MOE has introduced new features including the

1.5 What new features are introduced in PBS?
implementation of Standard Referenced Assessment,
Assessment of Physical, Sports and Co-curricular
Activities (PAJSK), Psychometric Assessment (PPsi)
and recording of pupils’ achievements in the PBS
Management System (SPPBS).
The objective of PBS is to keep track of each pupil’s
progress, growth and achievement.

2. SCHOOL ASSESSMENT (PS)

QUESTION ANSWER
2.1 What is School Assessment (PS)? Assessment that is planned, formulated, administered,
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 scored, recorded and reported by teachers in the school.
Assessment is continuously carried out by teachers
during the teaching and learning process.
PS is carried out in the form of formative and summative
assessment. Formative assessment is carried out during
the process of teaching and learning. On the other hand
summative assessment is carried out at the end of a
learning unit, term, month or year.

PS functions as both assessment for learning and

assessment of learning.

Standard Referenced Assessment reports pupil’s

2.2 What is Standard Referenced Assessment?
achievement with reference to the statements of
standard for each subject. The statements of standard
is determined according to the pupil’s achievement as
intended in the curriculum.

Standard Referenced Assessment is introduced to

track the growth and development of each pupil
through his/her performance.

QUESTION ANSWER
Standard Referenced Assessment reports pupils’
2.3 What are the advantages of Standard
performance or achievement.
Referenced Assessment?
Pupils are assessed fairly and justifiably based on an
individual’s capability, ability, talent, skill and potential

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 without comparing the individual with others.

2.4 What is the Document of Performance Standard Document of Performance Standard contains
guidelines for assessment and reports pupils’
(DSP)?
achievements at different stages of learning as
intended in the curriculum. This document includes
bands, statements of standard, descriptors and
evidence.

2.5 What is the meaning of bands, statements of Bands report pupils’ achievement : Band 6 the highest
and Band 1 the lowest.
standard and descriptor?
Statements of Standard refers to pupils’ achievement
in general.

Descriptors are observable acts that can be measured

to determine pupils’ achievement along the learning
curve.

DSP is used to assess pupils during the teaching and

2.6 When is DSP used?
learning process. However, teachers must refer to the
curriculum document to ensure the content and
intended learning outcomes are being addressed.

2.7 What is the purpose of the DSP? DSP is formulated as a guidance for teachers to carry out
PS in tandem with Standard Referenced Assessment.

Should instruments for PS be standardised?

2.8 Instruments should not be standardised as teachers will
need to provide a variey of instruments best suited for
their pupils.

Performance Standard is a set of statements detailing

2.9 What is Performance Standard?
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 the achievement and mastery of an individual within a
certain discipline, in a specific period of study based
on an identified benchmark. Teachers refer to the
Performance Standard to ensure assessment
activities are conducted fairly and in a focused
manner.

2.10 Must a pupil master each descriptor in order to Yes, pupils must master all descriptors in order to
achieve a particular band? achieve a particular band. Mastery of each descriptor
provides proof that the pupil has mastered all the
content standard/learning outcome for the particular
band.

2.11 Can a pupil be assessed for a higher band even Yes, pupils can be assessed for a higher band even
though he/she has not mastered all the descriptors though he/she has not mastered all the descriptors in the
in a previous band? previous band because teachers teach according to the
Standard Curriculum/Syllabus and not the DSP.
However, pupils must provide evidence be it verbally or
written to show that he/she has mastered the descriptors
in the previous band.

2.12 Must schools continue to carry out (Penilaian Kerja

Amali Sains (PEKA), Penilaian Lisan Berasaskan PEKA and PLBS/ULBS must be carried out because they
Sekolah/Ujian Lisan Berasaskan Sekolah are components of PS. However, coursework for KHB
(PLBS/ULBS) and Kemahiran Hidup Bersepadu need not be carried out in Form 1 starting 2012.
(KHB) coursework in Form 1?

QUESTION ANSWER
No. LINUS is a program aimed at identifying pupils
2.13 Can LINUS be used in PBS?
who fail to master the skills of reading, writing and
arithmetic (3Rs).
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 On the other hand PBS is a system and in PS (which
is a component of PBS) pupils are assessed based on
the Performance Standard for the particular subject.

It depends on the purpose of the exams.

2.14 Is it necessary to conduct monthly exams and end of
year exams?
If the purpose is to rank pupils, the scope of the exam
should cover both context and contructs ( knowledge
and skills measured) for the subject.

Should the School PBS Committee choose to rank

pupils according to bands, the exam questions or
tasks must be based on evidence in the Performance
Standards.

2.15 Are pupils who have not mastered a particular Pupils must be reassessed until they achieve the
skill/knowledge in PS reassessed? knowledge or skill necessary in PS.

2.16 Can a GSTT become an appraisor? Yes, because GSTT have been appointed to conduct
teaching and learning in the classroom. Furthermore
assessment must be carried out by the teacher
teaching the subject.

3. CENTRAL ASSESSMENT (PP)

QUESTION ANSWER
3.1 What is Central Assessment (PP)? PP is an assessment conducted in school. However
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 assessment procedures, instruments , tasks,
guidelines, scoring guide, grading and reporting is
done by LP.

3.2 What are the types of tasks assigned in PP? There are 2 types of tasks : long term task and short
term task. Long term task is carried out within 3 to 4
weeks and short term task is carried out within 2
weeks.

PP for primary schools is conducted at Level 2.

3.3 When is PP carried out?
PP for secondary schools is conducted in Forms 2
and 3.

Assignments may be carried out in groups but scores

3.4 Can PP be carried out in groups?
must be awarded individually.

4. ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, SPORTS AND CO-CURRICULUM (PAJSK)

QUESTION ANSWER
4.1 What is Assessment of Physical, Sports and Co- PAJSK administers, records and reports pupils’

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 curricular Activities (PAJSK)? involvement in sports, curricular and extra-curricular
activities. Standard Kecergasan Fizikal Kebangsaan
(SEGAK) dan Body Mass Index (BMI) is carried out to
assess and report pupils’ physical activities.

4.2 When is PAJSK carried out in PBS? In primary schools, PAJSK is carried out in Year 4
beginning 2014, Year 5 beginning 2015 and Year 6
beginning in 2016.
In secondary schools, PAJSK is carried out in Form 1
beginning 2012, Form 2 beginning 2013,Form 3
beginning 2014, Form 4 beginning 2015 and Form 5
beginning 2016.

5. PSYCHOMETRIC ASSESSMENT (PPSI)?

SOALAN MAKLUMBALAS
5.1 What is Psychometric Assessment (PPsi)? PPsi is carried out in schools to measure pupils’
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 innate and acquired abilities, thinking skills, problem-
solving skills, career preferences, talent, attitude and
personality. PPsi is neither based on the learning
process nor the curriculum.

5.2 When is Psychometric Assessment (PPsi) In primary schools, PPsi is carried out in Year 4
carried out? beginning 2014 and Year 6 beginning 2016.
In secondary schools, PPsi is carried out in Form 1
beginning 2012, ,Form 3 beginning 2014, Form 4
beginning 2015 and Form 5 beginning 2016.
5.3 What is the relationship between PPsi and PS? Information obtained from PPsi can help teachers to
adapt and adopt teaching methodologies and develop
a variety of assessment tools most appropriate to
their pupils needs.

6 OPERATION

SOALAN MAKLUMBALAS
6.1 How is PBS carried out in schools? PBS should be carried out by referring to the Panduan
Pengurusan PBS and related circulars concerning
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 PBS issued by the Examinations Syndicate.

6.2 What is the composition of the PBS Committee in In under enrolled schools, a teacher may have to hold
under enrolled schools? more than one portfolio in the committee.

6.3 Is it necessary for a pupil who has just returned from It is not necessary because PS is carried out during
a prolonged residence overseas/absence from the process of teaching and learning.
school be reassessed for PS which he/she has
missed?

6.4 Is it necessary for a pupil who has just returned from PP is carried out within a specific time-frame as
a prolonged residence overseas/absence from stipulated by the Examinations Syndicate. PP cannot
school be reassessed for PP which he/she has be carried out at other times outside the set duration.
missed?

6.5 Can a pupil be exempted from PBS? Exemption is not an issue as assessment is carried
out at the pupils’ level of achievement/proficiency
during the process of teaching and learning.

6.6 How is PBS carried out for pupils with special Pupils with Special Needs are assessed and
needs? evaluated using a special Performance Standard with
appropriate mechanisms. Administrators must provide
special services,equipment or customised software for
assessment as necessary.

QUESTION ANSWER
How reliable are assessment results conducted by Teachers are the most appropriate person to assess
6.7
teachers? their own pupils because they :

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  can continuously monitor their pupils’
development
-  can provide constructive feedback to help
pupils improve their performance
 better understand the context and environment
most conducive for pupils development
 appraise and provide feedback based on the
Performance Standards

Teachers’ integrity should not be doubted. Credibility

is ensured through mentoring, coordination,
monitoring and trekking.

7 MANAGEMENT OF PUPILS’ EVIDENCE

QUESTION ANSWER
7.1 What is evidence? Evidence can be divided into two : pupils and
materials.
Pupils are considered the best evidence for some
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 skills because they can display an acquired ability
either through action or orally.
Material evidence refers to processes or products
such as photos, graphics, artifacts, reports etc.
produced by pupils in carrying out set tasks.

7.2 Where is the evidence stored? Material evidence must be kept in Fail Perkembangan
Murid (FPM) and Fail Showcase (FS).

7.3 What is Fail Perkembangan Murid? Fail Perkembangan Murid (FPM) stores all evidence
of a pupil’s achievement and development in the
learning process.
There should be a Fail Perkembangan Murid (FPM)
for every pupil. It is used to keep evidence for all
subjects he/she takes.
All evidence must be recorded in a form for Fail
Perkembangan Murid (FPM).

Fail Perkembangan Murid (FPM) stores the latest

evidence for each descriptor. Previous evidence are
returned to their owners.

QUESTION ANSWER
7.4 Should evidence in text books and activity books be It is not necessary. Teachers need only record pupils’
copied and kept in the FPM? achievement in the form for FPM and also the SPPBS

7.5 Who is responsible for updating the FPM? Teachers teaching each subject are responsible for
updating the evidence for PS.
Class/Form teachers are responsible for updating

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 evidence in PAJSK.

7.6 Is the FPM classified as confidential? No, it is not confidential. FPM can be assessed by
interested parties to track pupils’ accomplishment of
knowledge and skill.

7.7 What is the evidence for Listening and Speaking The pupils themselves are evidence for listening and
skills? speaking skills. They should be able to interact and
respond appropriately in different situations.

7.8 What is Fail Showcase (FS)? Fail Showcase (FS) stores the best evidence for all
descriptorsfor all subjects.
FS functions as a benchmark for a particular standard
of achievement or proficiency.
There should be an FS for each Year/Form or class.

7.9 Can the FS be prepared at the end of the school FS must be prepared at the beginning of the year and
year? updated throughout the year because teaching,
learning and assessment is a continuous effort.
FS must be updated throughout the shool year.

SOALAN MAKLUMBALAS
7.10 When can the PS evidence be destroyed? All evidence should be returned to their owners
(pupils) after it has been recorded in the PBS
Management System : SPPBS.
All evidence that is not claimed by their owners should
be destroyed after 2 weeks of recording in the
SPPBS.

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 8 QUALITY ASSURANCE

QUESTION ANSWER
8.1 What is meant by quality assurance? Quality Assurance is carried out to ensure PBS is of
the highest quality and is carried out according to the
guidelines provided.Stringent measures must be
undertaken by all concerned to ensure quality is
assured in all aspects and at each stage of the
assessment. Only thus can the assessment produce
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 information that is accurate and reflects the true ability
of the pupils assessed.
Quality Assurance is achieved through mentoring,
coordination, monitoring and trekking
.
Mentoring is the process of assisting, facilitating and
8.2 What is mentoring?
guiding teachers to carry out PBS according to the
correct procedures and principles of PBS. Mentoring
also ensures that teachers’ knowledge and
understanding of PBS is constantly enhanced and
updated.

Internal mentoring is carried out by Senior Teachers/

Heads of Departments, Master Trainers, Guru
Cemerlang and Principals or Head Teachers.

External mentoring is carried out by officers from the

Examinations Syndicate/State Education Departments
and District Education Office.

QUESTION ANSWER
Monitoring is the process of ensuring that the correct
8.3 What is monitoring?
procedures as outlined by the Examinations
Syndicate have been observed in carrying out PBS.

Frequency of monitoring depends on the PBS

Committee

Internal monitoring is carried out by Senior Teachers/

Heads of Departments, Master Trainers, Guru
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 Cemerlang and Principals or Head Teachers.

External monitoring is carried out by officers from the

Examinations Syndicate/State Education Departments
District Education Office or other Divisions in the
Ministry of Education (MOE).

8.4 What is coordination?

Coordination ensures that the score awarded for
tasks/assignments is not only fair but also reliable
and valid. Coordination is necessary to ensure the
reliability and credibility of the assessment outcome.

Internal Coordination is carried out by Senior

Teachers/ Heads of Departments, Master Trainers,
Guru Cemerlang and Principals or Head Teachers.

External Coordination is carried out by officers from

the Examinations Syndicate/State Education
Departments and District Education Office.

SOALAN MAKLUMBALAS
Trekking is the process of evaluating assessment
8.5 What is trekking?
instruments used to carry out PBS in order to:

1. Identify the strength, weaknesses and

practicality of said instruments
2. Evaluate reliability and validity of said
instruments
3. Suggest improvements to the instruments

Trekking is carried out by officers from the

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 Examinations Syndicate or others appointed by the
Examinations Syndicate.

8.6 Are schools allowed to carry out cross monitoring Schools may conduct cross monitoring with
with neighbouring schools to benefit of both parties? neighbouring schools as such cooperation will
enhance the effectiveness of PBS.

8.7 Are schools allowed to carry out cross coordination Schools may do so to ensure the appropriateness of
with neighbouring schools to benefit of both parties? the assessment instruments /tasks/assignments used
during the process of teaching, learning and
assessment.

9 SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SPPBS)

QUESTION ANSWER
9.1 What is SPPBS? The PBS Management System (SPPBS) is an
application developed by MOE to record and store
information on pupils’ achievement in PBS. SPPBS
can generate reports of pupils’ achievement.

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9.2 When can teachers record pupils’ achievement in PS PS data can be recorded at any time.
and PAJSK in the SPPBS? Data entry into PAJSK will be determined by the
Examinations Syndicate.

9.3 How is data of pupils who transfer to a new school The transferring pupil’s particulars must first be
executed? cancelled in the APDM by the teacher from the
original school. Once the new school registers the
pupil into APDM the previous data can be retrieved.

9.4 How do schools without access to the internet For schools without access to the internet the SPPBS
record pupils’ data in the SPPBS? stand alone version can be used. The stand alone CD
can be obtained from State Education Departments
and District Education Departments.

9.5 Who issues a report on pupils’ achievements? Any teacher who teaches a particular subject can
report pupils progress by generating reports through
SPPBS.

QUESTION ANSWER
9.6 Can pupils achievement be accessed whenever Yes, progress reports can be obtained from teachers who
needed? teach the subject.

9.7 How can parents obtain feedback about their A descriptive and formative report can be generated via
the SPPBS whenever needed. The report contains
children’s achievement?
information about pupils’ achievement at the particular
stage.

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