Comparing Primary and Lower Secondary Students' Performance in October and April 2023 Exams.
The charts below display the mark distribution for each sub-strand in October and April 2023, along with the corresponding paper requirements to attain each band in Cambridge Primary and Lower Secondary FLE. Examine the charts for detailed insights into each year group.
Chart 1: Primary Checkpoint
Insights and advice (Primary Checkpoint)
Chart 1 illustrates the total marks assigned to each sub-strand in October 2023 compared to April 2023. It is noteworthy that the decrease in marks allocated to the Grammar and Punctuation sub-strand, coupled with the increase in marks assigned to the interpretation of text, were contributing factors to students' improved performance in the October exams as opposed to April (chart 2).
This improvement can be attributed to the cognitive system of the age group, which seems to favor a more flexible approach, valuing comprehension over strict adherence to grammar and punctuation rules.
Recognizing the challenges in teaching grammar and punctuation to Year 6 students (Primary Checkpoint), THE GATE advises a concentrated effort on these sub-strands, along with a focus on the structure of texts. Emphasizing these areas is essential, as they are likely to have a negative impact on students' performance if given more weight in the April 2024 exam.
Chart 1 : Lower Secondary
Chart 2 : Lower Secondary
Insights and advice (Lower Secondary)
Chart 1 illustrates the total marks assigned to each sub-strand in October 2023, comparing Year 8 students' performance with that of April 2023. It is crucial to note a decrease in marks assigned to the 'Structure of Texts' sub-strand and an increase in marks allocated to the 'Interpretation of Texts' sub-strand. These shifts were identified as contributing factors to students' poorer performance in the October exams compared to April (chart 2).
Year 8 students generally demonstrate a strong ability to comprehend grammar and textual structures more effectively than Year 6 students. The decline in the 'Structure of Texts' sub-strand, coupled with the rise in the 'Interpretation of Texts' sub-strand, and considering the language difficulty level for this year group, were all factors influencing students to perform less satisfactorily in the October 2023 exams than in April 2023.
THE GATE recommends placing a specific focus on teaching the 'Interpretation of Texts' sub-strand, as it is likely to negatively impact students' performance if given more weight in the April 2024 exam."
THE GATE Team.