Solutions Bank (2025/2026)
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Section 1: Foundational Concepts of Assessment (Q1-20)
1. Question: What is the primary purpose of Diagnostic Assessment?
A: To identify learners' prior knowledge, skills, and misconceptions before instruction begins.
Rationale: It helps teachers plan appropriate teaching and learning activities by understanding
the learners' starting point.
2. Question: Differentiate between Formative and Summative Assessment.
A: Formative Assessment is for learning (ongoing, provides feedback, improves
instruction). Summative Assessment is of learning (evaluates achievement at the end of a unit or
term).
Rationale: This is a fundamental distinction. Formative is a check-up; summative is an autopsy.
3. Question: What does the acronym CAPS stand for, and how does it influence
assessment?
A: Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. It provides the national framework for what
,should be taught (content) and how it should be assessed (policies and guidelines).
Rationale: CAPS is the cornerstone of the South African curriculum, directly dictating
assessment standards.
4. Question: Define Assessment for Learning.
A: An ongoing process where teachers use evidence of learner performance to adapt teaching
and provide feedback to help learners progress.
Rationale: It shifts the focus from just judging learners to actively supporting their learning
journey.
5. Question: What is a Rubric?
A: A scoring guide that lists specific criteria for grading an assignment or performance,
describing levels of quality (e.g., Excellent, Good, Poor).
Rationale: Rubrics make assessment transparent, consistent, and fair for both teachers and
learners.
6. Question: Explain the concept of Continuous Assessment (CASS).
A: A structured process of assessing learners regularly throughout the year, using various
assessment methods, and combining the results for a final promotion mark.
Rationale: CASS emphasizes progression over time rather than a single high-stakes exam.
7. Question: What are the four main types of Assessment Standards?
A: 1. Content Standards (what learners should know). 2. Performance Standards (how well they
should know it). 3. Proficiency Standards (levels of competence). 4. Developmental Standards
(progress over time).
Rationale: These standards provide a multi-faceted view of what assessment should measure.
, 8. Question: What is Integrated Assessment?
A: An approach that assesses multiple skills and learning outcomes across different subjects or
disciplines within a single task.
Rationale: It reflects real-world problems, which are rarely confined to one subject area.
9. Question: Define Peer Assessment.
A: A process where learners evaluate the work of their classmates against set criteria.
Rationale: It develops critical thinking, collaboration, and self-regulation skills.
10. Question: What is Self-Assessment?
A: A process where learners reflect on and evaluate their own work and learning processes.
Rationale: It fosters metacognition and empowers learners to take ownership of their learning.
11. Question: How does Authentic Assessment differ from traditional tests?
A: It requires learners to apply skills and knowledge to real-world, meaningful tasks, rather than
just recalling facts.
Rationale: It assesses the ability to use knowledge effectively in complex situations.
12. Question: What is the role of Feedback in assessment?
A: To provide learners with specific, constructive information about their performance to guide
improvement (feed-forward).
Rationale: Effective feedback is one of the most powerful tools for enhancing learning.
13. Question: What are the three key questions for effective feedback? (Based on Hattie &
Timperley)