National Assessments
"NAFS"
The National Assessments are based on the Education and Training Evaluation Commission's (ETEC) regulation
issued by the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (108), dated 14/2/1440, which includes “setting up and
implementing educational standards and assessments such as national assessments at the stages of General
Education related to General Education evaluation."
The National Assessments "NAFS" will contribute to measuring and improving the educational achievement
level of students in schools, promoting school excellence, and fostering positive competition among
Schools, Education Offices, and Departments. They are administered in accordance with integrated roles and
continuous coordination between the Ministry of Education and ETEC to achieve the desired national goals,
foremost among them being the targets of Vision 2030 and the Human Capability Development Program (one of
Vision 2030 programs).
Goals
1
Evaluating the educational achievement of school students.
2
Stimulating excellence and positive competition between schools, education offices and departments.
3
Providing detailed reports and data on students’ educational achievement and the related affecting variables.
4
Enabling scientific analysis of the educational system’s performance to develop solutions and improve performance
5
Measure national assessments indicators in the Human Capability Development Program and support the achievement of its objectives
Targeted Grades
The National Assessment "NAFS" are administered to the following grade
All third-grade classrooms in a sample of schools.
All sixth-grade classrooms in all elementary schools.
All third-intermediate grade (ninth) classrooms in all intermediate schools.
Why specifically these grades?
These particular grades represent the culmination of different educational stages. The third grade represents the end of early childhood education, the sixth grade represents the end of elementary education, and the third-intermediate grade (ninth grade) represents the end of the intermediate and the elementary school stages together. The National Assessments "NAFS" measure the level of students' learning and what they are capable of at the end of each educational stage. This allows educational authorities to assess all aspects that enable them to enhance the educational process based on these reliable results.
Key Success Factors in Conducting the National Assessments "NAFS"
- Providing full support to assessment administrators and ensuring they have all the necessary resources to conduct the assessments in schools with the desired quality.
- Fostering collaboration among school principals, teachers of third, sixth, and third intermediate (ninth) grades and teachers specializing in assessment subjects (Reading, Mathematics, and Science), Additionally, involving parents in completing surveys.
- Emphasizing and raising awareness about the significance of the assessments to students, parents, and encouraging students to perform at a level that reflects their true educational achievement.
- Encouraging schools to participate in the digital version of the assessment.
- Ensuring that participating schools have access to necessary technical services to support the administration of digital assessments.
Timetable
Third Intermediate (Ninth Grade)
Day
Date
Assessment Language
Sunday
05-12-2024
Arabic
Monday
05-13-2024
Arabic
Tuesday
05-14-2024
Arabic + English
Wednesday
05-15-2024
Arabic
Sixth Grade
Day
Date
Assessment Language
Thursday
05-16-2024
Arabic
Sunday
05-19-2024
Arabic
Monday
05-20-2024
Arabic + English
Tuesday
05-21-2024
Arabic
Wednesday
05-22-2024
Arabic
Third Grade
Day
Date
Assessment Language
Thursday
05-23-2024
Arabic
Sunday
05-26-2024
Arabic + English
Monday
05-27-2024
Arabic
Assessment administration
Paper-based Assessment administration
Third intermediate Ninth Grade (third grade of intermediate school)
One national assessment that includes (Reading, Mathematics, and Science) is to be administered to all schools and students during the period between May 12- 15, 2024.
Sixth Grade
One national assessment that includes (Reading, Mathematics, and Science) is to be administered to all schools and students during the period between May 16- 22, 2024.
Third Grade
One national assessment that includes (Reading, Mathematics, and Science) is to be administered to all third-grade classrooms in a sample of schools during the period between May 23-27, 2024.
Digital-based Assessment administration
The digital assessments are administrated concurrently with the paper-based assessments, in the same dates.
Results Publication
FAQ
NAFS are national assessments developed by ETEC, and are based on approved frameworks in the specific
learning courses of Reading, Mathematics, and Science.
These assessments are aligned with the learning outcomes derived from the national curriculum standards and international standards in these subjects. They are designed to simulate international assessments such as TIMSS & PIRLS. In addition, The NAFS assessments are consistent as well with the national curriculums of Reading, Mathematics, and Science, representing the final learning outcomes that students should know, understand, and be able to demonstrate in these targeted areas at the end of each educational stage in the national education system.
The NAFS assessments are administrated in Arabic, as well as English for international and foreign schools. They are administered annually to all students in the targeted grades in each school, and are conducted in both paper and digital formats.
These assessments are aligned with the learning outcomes derived from the national curriculum standards and international standards in these subjects. They are designed to simulate international assessments such as TIMSS & PIRLS. In addition, The NAFS assessments are consistent as well with the national curriculums of Reading, Mathematics, and Science, representing the final learning outcomes that students should know, understand, and be able to demonstrate in these targeted areas at the end of each educational stage in the national education system.
The NAFS assessments are administrated in Arabic, as well as English for international and foreign schools. They are administered annually to all students in the targeted grades in each school, and are conducted in both paper and digital formats.
National assessments are accompanied by a set of scientifically designed questionnaires aimed at
providing information about factors influencing learning outcomes, and educational achievement and
practices. These questionnaires are:
- Student questionnaire: It is provided to the student by the end of the assessment, both in paper and digital formats.
- Parent questionnaire: This is a digital survey accessed through ETEC's platform. Parents are notified to complete this questionnaire by a text message.
- School Principal questionnaire: This is a digital survey accessed through ETEC's platform.
- Reading, Mathematics, and Science Teachers questionnaire: These are digital questionnaire accessed through ETEC's platform.
NAFS National Assessments do not require pre-registration by students or schools. Instead, the targeted
students and schools are selected through coordination between the ETEC and the Ministry of Education.
No, there are no fees.
The National Assessments (NAFS) are administered to both Saudi and non-Saudi students.
The assessment is held once every year, prior to the final exams of the schools.
It does not require specific and prior preparation. Students only need to review the material they have
studied throughout the school year, as the assessment is based on learning outcomes, and the knowledge
and understanding acquired by the students during the school year.
NAFS is to be administered in paper-based format for the majority of the schools, and in digital format
for selected number of schools.
NAFS target only the subjects of reading and mathematics for the third grade of elementary school. For
the sixth grade of elementary school and the third grade of intermediate school, the assessment covers
the subjects of reading, mathematics, and science.
The assessment result does not have any impact on the student's transition to the next grade. However,
results are highly important for the educational system as a whole.
No,the assessment is administrated only one time.
There are many guidelines for NAFS available on the NAFS digital website. These guidelines includes
explanatory videos, media campaigns, and informative content on ETEC's social media channels.
NAFS Guides
Guide
Parents
Guide
School
Guide
Student
Guide
Implementation
Document
Learning Outcomes
NAFS Instructions
Introducing NAFS to Parents
