CIE Checkpoint Information Briefing

Mr. Andrew Lowery

Assistant Head Teacher & Year 6 Green Teacher
Tenby Schools Ipoh
Welcome

CIE Checkpoint tests:

- What are they?
- Purpose
- Dates
- Content
- Sample questions
- Results & certificates
- How will School prepare students?
- How can you help your child?
- Q&A
Cambridge Primary Curriculum & Checkpoint:

• Cambridge Checkpoint tests are designed for

use in the final year of certain Key Stages of
education.
• The results give schools an international
benchmark of learner performance to identify
learning needs in English, Mathematics and
Science.
• Not a PASS/FAIL Test!
• The tests are externally marked by Cambridge.
• Suitable for learners whose first language is not
English, with an optional English as a second
language curriculum (short sentences, fewer
colloquial words)
• No Primary Checkpoint for the ESL curriculum.
 Examination structure

The examinations are as follows:

English:
Monday 11th April
Strands
40% Usage (Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, Vocabulary)
35% Reading
25% Writing
Paper 1:
Non-narrative reading, writing and usage. 60 minutes
Paper 2:
Narrative reading and writing. 60 Minutes
 Examination structure

Mathematics:
Tuesday 12th April
Strands
60% Number
25% Geometry & Measures
15% Data

Paper 1:
Non-calculator 45 Minutes
Paper 2:
Calculator 45 Minutes
 Examination structure

Science:
Wednesday 13th April
Strands –
25% Physics
25% Biology
25% Chemistry
25% Scientific enquiry

Paper 1:
Full coverage - 45 minutes
Paper 2:
Full coverage - 45 minutes
Sample questions & tasks – English Paper 1
Sample questions & tasks – English Paper 1
Sample questions & tasks - Maths
Sample questions & tasks - Maths
Sample questions & tasks - Science
Sample questions & tasks - Science
 Results

Results expected: week beginning 27th June 2016

The diagnostic reports generated by Cambridge

Checkpoint enable schools to:
• tailor individual learners' learning programmes
• monitor group and individual performance
• provide information for reporting to parents
• compare the performance of all learners taking tests in
that session
• manage learning programmes within schools as learners
move between schools
• predict performance in learners' formal examinations
 Grading

The students grades are given on the results certificate,

from 0.0 to 6.0:

Grading Meaning Approx. %

< 2.0 Basic understanding of content <25%
3.0 – 4.0 Sound understanding of content 35-45%
5.0 > Excellent understanding 55-65%
6.0 > Highest grade possible 65%>
 TIS Ipoh Primary Checkpoint Averages

Subject 2011-2015

English 4.4

Mathematics 4.8

Science 4.9
 Student’s Statement of Achievement

Overall Grade Strand Grades

Sub-strand analysis
Our approach to examinations
 School plan for success:

• Jan-Feb:
• Normal curriculum, prioritising areas of study not encountered
in Years 3-5
• Teachers will start to ‘find the gaps’ using surveys and quizzes
to determine areas of weakness, to be revised later
• March-April:
• Introduce exam techniques & sample questions one lesson per
week in each exam subject
• ‘Low stress, high challenge’, not a rehearsal for the test itself
• E.g. ‘Hack The Test’ – open book, pair/group exam practise
to overcome nerves
How to help your child

• Students who score high grades, sleep

(on average) for 30 minutes longer than
those scoring low grades
[source: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/]
 How to help your child

Online games & activities:

• www.activelearn.co.uk - Maths practice games

• ec1.educationcity.com - All subjects activities & games
• www.discoveryeducation.com/students/ – interactive games, videos and
virtual labs
• bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/ – a UK site to give your brain a boost
• www.factmonster.com – for quizzes and games
• www.kids.nationalgeographic.com – for animal facts
• www.Coolmath-games.com - English & Maths practice games

Past papers for your reference – (note: these will be practised in school)

Google -> ‘Cambridge Primary Checkpoint support material’

Q&A
 Final thought

In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test.

In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.
Tom Bodett