24/1
LIFE SCIENCES (Updated September 2021)
This document must be read in conjunction with the IEB Manual for the Moderation
of School-Based Assessment (Updated September 2015)
A. MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
Examination
Paper I: Theory 3 hours [200]
Paper II: Theory 2 hours [100]
Practical Assessment Task 1,5 hours [50]
Total: [350] converted [300]
School-Based Assessment (SBA) [100]
400 marks
B. REQUIREMENTS
1. EXAMINATION
Paper I: 3 hours; 200 marks
Assesses via three of the following four Strands in any one year, that are not
assessed in Paper II in that year:
- Life at molecular, cellular and tissue level
- Diversity, change and continuity of life
- Environmental studies
- Life processes in plants and animals
Weighting of 60% 40%
cognitive 30% 20% 10% 10% 15% 15%
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Structure of The paper comprises four questions.
the paper: Question 1 consists of objective type questions – 80 marks.
Questions 2–4 consist of a variety of short and longer response-type questions that assess
knowledge and application in unrehearsed contexts – 40 marks for each question.
All questions are compulsory.
Paper II: 2 hours; 100 marks
Assesses via one of the following four Strands in any one year, that is not assessed
in Paper I in that year:
- Life at molecular, cellular and tissue level
- Diversity, change and continuity of life
- Environmental studies
- Life processes in plants and animals
Weighting of 40% 60%
cognitive 20% 10% 10% 15% 20% 25%
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Structure of The paper comprises three questions.
the paper: Questions 1 and 2 are Case Studies – 30 marks for each question.
Question 3 is a source-based essay – 40 marks.
All questions are compulsory.
AIM 1 AIM 2 AIM 3
Weighting of the AIMS Theory Practical Applications
across the papers Life Sciences PI 120 marks 40 marks 40 marks
Life Sciences PII 30 marks 10 marks 60 marks
50% of 300 17% of 300 33% of 300
The weighting for Aims 1 and 3 may differ by 5% either way.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/2
Note:
• The one strand assessed in Paper II will rotate annually. Based on this, the
remaining three strands will be assessed in Paper I in that year.
• Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be written on different days.
2. PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT TASK
PAT 1,5 hours; 50 marks
Assesses the 8 skill areas provided in Appendix A and within a specific
context that is provided.
Content to A context is given in the preamble to the task which includes all the
be covered: relevant content knowledge that is required for the task.
Weighting At least 60% at these levels
of cognitive
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Additional The PAT assesses AIM 2. It is conducted under controlled
comments: conditions by all candidates on the same day before the start of
the main block of examinations. It is administered and marked by
teachers, and moderated by a national panel.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a variety of skills in the
PAT, such as their ability to design an experiment, evaluate an
existing experiment (given to them), as well as perform a simple
experimental procedure by collecting, graphing, analysing and
interpreting data. The PAT will test all 8 skill areas as detailed in
Appendix A. It will not necessarily relate to the Grade 12 content
areas. The context is supplied and it is the testing of the skills
that is important.
3. SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (SBA)
The following SBA requirements, and their later elaboration in this document,
apply to schools that have chosen the conventional option for SBA. Those
schools that have chosen the One Research Task Option must refer to the IEB
Manual for the One Research Task Option for the relevant SBA requirements.
SBA Item Weighting
Preliminary Examination/Trial paper 25
Standardised test #1 15
Standardised test #2 15
Compulsory Summative Practical Task 15
Two tasks chosen from the following options:
Research Project 15
Case Study 15
Controlled writing piece (discursive essay) 15
Summative Practical Task 15
TOTAL 100
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/3
C. INTERPRETATION OF REQUIREMENTS
1. EXAMINATIONS
1.1 Rationale for assessment structure:
• The two theory papers assess different content and emphasise
different cognitive skills. Candidates need time to read and analyse
the data that is included in the papers and to formulate appropriate
responses.
• AIM 1 and AIM 3 can be assessed successfully in a theory
examination.
• The optimal assessment method for AIM 2 is a practical, hands-on
task.
1.2 The Assessment Syllabus
The purpose of this Assessment Syllabus is to assist IEB teachers in
reaching a common understanding of the scope of the AIMS and
therefore support schools in planning their teaching, learning and
assessment programmes consistently; as well as to make the IEB
examination and SBA requirements at grade 12 explicit for teachers,
assessors and moderators.
The content described under AIM 1, Knowing Life Sciences, outlines
what should be taught, and broadly what will be assessed in Grade 12.
Teachers should consider the activities listed under AIM 2 to be
necessary for candidates' understanding of that section of the syllabus.
Teachers are encouraged to design further activities to develop
candidates' competence in skills concerned with investigating
phenomena in Life Sciences. The information under AIM 3 informs ways
in which the knowledge in AIM 1 can be applied in society. Teachers are
free to use other appropriate applications for AIM 3.
An Assessment Syllabus for Grades 10 and 11 is included in this
document to assist teachers in their planning across the FET phase.
The Assessment Syllabus follows the SBA requirements.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/4
2. SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
2.1 Preliminary Examination/Trial Paper (25 marks out of 100)
This component must come from the last major Summative
Assessment to have taken place before the Final NSC Examination.
The Preliminary examination should mimic the external examination in
its design, rigour and format (question paper, design grid and marking
guidelines). Whilst all of the content may not have been covered by the
date of the Preliminary Examination, there should be two papers that
are set to the time and rigour of the Final Examination.
2.2 Controlled Tests (two tests: each to count 15 out of 100)
Controlled tests are written by the entire grade (preferably at the same
time). These should count at least 50 marks each and must assess
deeply within one Topic or across Topics. 60% of the marks should
relate to lower order thinking skills (knowledge, comprehension and
application) and 40% to higher order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis
and evaluation). This weighting must be reflected in the design grid for
each controlled test.
2.3 Tasks
2.3.1 Compulsory Summative Practical Task (15 marks out of 100)
This task must follow the format of the PAT (task, design grid and
marking guidelines) in that it must count at least 50 marks and
have a duration of 1,5 hours. The practical task should enable
candidates to demonstrate a variety of skills such as their ability
to design an experiment, evaluate an existing experiment (given
to them), as well as perform a simple experimental procedure
by collecting, graphing, analysing and interpreting data . The
design grid must reflect the correct weightings for the cognitive levels
(at least 60% of the questions should assess higher cognitive skills).
The Summative Practical Task must cover all eight skill areas as
detailed in Appendix A. In order to provide evidence of a
particular skill area being covered, a mark must be allocated to
that particular skill area in the design grid.
It is advisable to use past Life Sciences Paper III Examinations
or Practical Assessment Tasks in order to ensure compliance. It
is important to note that the Summative Practical Task can only
be given after a number of shorter formative tasks have been
completed. There is no minimum number of formative tasks
prescribed. Teachers must decide how many formative tasks are
needed as these tasks are not required in the SBA. Candidates
must be able to demonstrate in the Summative Task the skills
that they have learned in the formative tasks.
Another important consideration is that of content. This particular
component of the SBA does not assess AIM 1.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
LIFE SCIENCES (Updated September 2021)
This document must be read in conjunction with the IEB Manual for the Moderation
of School-Based Assessment (Updated September 2015)
A. MEANS OF ASSESSMENT
Examination
Paper I: Theory 3 hours [200]
Paper II: Theory 2 hours [100]
Practical Assessment Task 1,5 hours [50]
Total: [350] converted [300]
School-Based Assessment (SBA) [100]
400 marks
B. REQUIREMENTS
1. EXAMINATION
Paper I: 3 hours; 200 marks
Assesses via three of the following four Strands in any one year, that are not
assessed in Paper II in that year:
- Life at molecular, cellular and tissue level
- Diversity, change and continuity of life
- Environmental studies
- Life processes in plants and animals
Weighting of 60% 40%
cognitive 30% 20% 10% 10% 15% 15%
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Structure of The paper comprises four questions.
the paper: Question 1 consists of objective type questions – 80 marks.
Questions 2–4 consist of a variety of short and longer response-type questions that assess
knowledge and application in unrehearsed contexts – 40 marks for each question.
All questions are compulsory.
Paper II: 2 hours; 100 marks
Assesses via one of the following four Strands in any one year, that is not assessed
in Paper I in that year:
- Life at molecular, cellular and tissue level
- Diversity, change and continuity of life
- Environmental studies
- Life processes in plants and animals
Weighting of 40% 60%
cognitive 20% 10% 10% 15% 20% 25%
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Structure of The paper comprises three questions.
the paper: Questions 1 and 2 are Case Studies – 30 marks for each question.
Question 3 is a source-based essay – 40 marks.
All questions are compulsory.
AIM 1 AIM 2 AIM 3
Weighting of the AIMS Theory Practical Applications
across the papers Life Sciences PI 120 marks 40 marks 40 marks
Life Sciences PII 30 marks 10 marks 60 marks
50% of 300 17% of 300 33% of 300
The weighting for Aims 1 and 3 may differ by 5% either way.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/2
Note:
• The one strand assessed in Paper II will rotate annually. Based on this, the
remaining three strands will be assessed in Paper I in that year.
• Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be written on different days.
2. PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT TASK
PAT 1,5 hours; 50 marks
Assesses the 8 skill areas provided in Appendix A and within a specific
context that is provided.
Content to A context is given in the preamble to the task which includes all the
be covered: relevant content knowledge that is required for the task.
Weighting At least 60% at these levels
of cognitive
levels: Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Additional The PAT assesses AIM 2. It is conducted under controlled
comments: conditions by all candidates on the same day before the start of
the main block of examinations. It is administered and marked by
teachers, and moderated by a national panel.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate a variety of skills in the
PAT, such as their ability to design an experiment, evaluate an
existing experiment (given to them), as well as perform a simple
experimental procedure by collecting, graphing, analysing and
interpreting data. The PAT will test all 8 skill areas as detailed in
Appendix A. It will not necessarily relate to the Grade 12 content
areas. The context is supplied and it is the testing of the skills
that is important.
3. SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT (SBA)
The following SBA requirements, and their later elaboration in this document,
apply to schools that have chosen the conventional option for SBA. Those
schools that have chosen the One Research Task Option must refer to the IEB
Manual for the One Research Task Option for the relevant SBA requirements.
SBA Item Weighting
Preliminary Examination/Trial paper 25
Standardised test #1 15
Standardised test #2 15
Compulsory Summative Practical Task 15
Two tasks chosen from the following options:
Research Project 15
Case Study 15
Controlled writing piece (discursive essay) 15
Summative Practical Task 15
TOTAL 100
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/3
C. INTERPRETATION OF REQUIREMENTS
1. EXAMINATIONS
1.1 Rationale for assessment structure:
• The two theory papers assess different content and emphasise
different cognitive skills. Candidates need time to read and analyse
the data that is included in the papers and to formulate appropriate
responses.
• AIM 1 and AIM 3 can be assessed successfully in a theory
examination.
• The optimal assessment method for AIM 2 is a practical, hands-on
task.
1.2 The Assessment Syllabus
The purpose of this Assessment Syllabus is to assist IEB teachers in
reaching a common understanding of the scope of the AIMS and
therefore support schools in planning their teaching, learning and
assessment programmes consistently; as well as to make the IEB
examination and SBA requirements at grade 12 explicit for teachers,
assessors and moderators.
The content described under AIM 1, Knowing Life Sciences, outlines
what should be taught, and broadly what will be assessed in Grade 12.
Teachers should consider the activities listed under AIM 2 to be
necessary for candidates' understanding of that section of the syllabus.
Teachers are encouraged to design further activities to develop
candidates' competence in skills concerned with investigating
phenomena in Life Sciences. The information under AIM 3 informs ways
in which the knowledge in AIM 1 can be applied in society. Teachers are
free to use other appropriate applications for AIM 3.
An Assessment Syllabus for Grades 10 and 11 is included in this
document to assist teachers in their planning across the FET phase.
The Assessment Syllabus follows the SBA requirements.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
, 24/4
2. SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
2.1 Preliminary Examination/Trial Paper (25 marks out of 100)
This component must come from the last major Summative
Assessment to have taken place before the Final NSC Examination.
The Preliminary examination should mimic the external examination in
its design, rigour and format (question paper, design grid and marking
guidelines). Whilst all of the content may not have been covered by the
date of the Preliminary Examination, there should be two papers that
are set to the time and rigour of the Final Examination.
2.2 Controlled Tests (two tests: each to count 15 out of 100)
Controlled tests are written by the entire grade (preferably at the same
time). These should count at least 50 marks each and must assess
deeply within one Topic or across Topics. 60% of the marks should
relate to lower order thinking skills (knowledge, comprehension and
application) and 40% to higher order thinking skills (analysis, synthesis
and evaluation). This weighting must be reflected in the design grid for
each controlled test.
2.3 Tasks
2.3.1 Compulsory Summative Practical Task (15 marks out of 100)
This task must follow the format of the PAT (task, design grid and
marking guidelines) in that it must count at least 50 marks and
have a duration of 1,5 hours. The practical task should enable
candidates to demonstrate a variety of skills such as their ability
to design an experiment, evaluate an existing experiment (given
to them), as well as perform a simple experimental procedure
by collecting, graphing, analysing and interpreting data . The
design grid must reflect the correct weightings for the cognitive levels
(at least 60% of the questions should assess higher cognitive skills).
The Summative Practical Task must cover all eight skill areas as
detailed in Appendix A. In order to provide evidence of a
particular skill area being covered, a mark must be allocated to
that particular skill area in the design grid.
It is advisable to use past Life Sciences Paper III Examinations
or Practical Assessment Tasks in order to ensure compliance. It
is important to note that the Summative Practical Task can only
be given after a number of shorter formative tasks have been
completed. There is no minimum number of formative tasks
prescribed. Teachers must decide how many formative tasks are
needed as these tasks are not required in the SBA. Candidates
must be able to demonstrate in the Summative Task the skills
that they have learned in the formative tasks.
Another important consideration is that of content. This particular
component of the SBA does not assess AIM 1.
IEB Copyright © 2014–2022 NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE HANDBOOK
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: GRADE 12, JANUARY 2022
