Third semester exam dates 1447: Ministry of Education announces schedules

Official announcement of test dates

The Saudi Ministry of Education has officially announced the schedules for the first-term exams of the third semester of the current academic year 1447 AH. This announcement clarifies the timeline for students, parents, and teachers alike, outlining the assessments which will begin immediately after the Foundation Day holiday and continue until mid-Ramadan, concluding on the sixteenth day of the holy month.

The decision encompasses all stages of general education, from early childhood through primary and intermediate school to secondary school with its various tracks. The schedules have been carefully designed to include written assessments for core subjects and ongoing formative assessments for skills-focused subjects, with the aim of comprehensively and holistically measuring learning outcomes.

General context and the importance of timing

Organizing the exams at this time comes within the framework of the academic calendar based on the three-semester system, a modern system adopted by the Kingdom as part of its strategy to develop the education sector and align it with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This system aims to distribute the academic workload throughout the year and reduce long time gaps during holidays, which contributes to the continuity of the educational process and raises the level of students' academic achievement.

The announcement of exam dates is particularly significant as it coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry has taken into account the unique nature of this month when scheduling the exams, ensuring they conclude before the last ten days of Ramadan. This allows students and their families ample time for worship and religious observances during the most spiritually significant days of the month. Furthermore, the approach of balancing written exams with continuous assessments aims to alleviate pressure on students during the fasting days.

Expected impact and school organization

This early announcement is expected to enable school administrations to prepare effectively for exams, including organizing examination committees and equipping exam halls. It also gives teachers ample time to review the curriculum with students and focus on key concepts. For students and parents, clear timetables provide a roadmap for effectively managing study and revision time, which will positively impact student performance and academic achievement.

According to the approved schedule, the actual exams will begin on Monday, the 6th of Ramadan, 1447 AH, and will continue for two academic weeks. The subjects have been distributed evenly across the exam days to avoid student fatigue. The schedules typically begin with core subjects such as mathematics and science, and include other diverse subjects like English, digital skills, and social studies. All exams for all grade levels will conclude by the end of the school day on Thursday, the 16th of Ramadan, 1447 AH.