Details of the 2025 Student Assessment Regulations and the Integration of Oral Exams
The Saudi Ministry of Education has revealed the key features of the new student assessment regulations for 2025, coinciding with the approach of the first semester exams. This step is part of a series of fundamental updates to the education sector in the Kingdom, aimed at improving learning outcomes and keeping pace with global changes in measurement and assessment methods.
Enhancing formative assessment and integrating tests
The ministry confirmed the adoption of a new approach focused on "formative assessment" as a cornerstone for measuring student performance. The most significant change is the integration of oral and practical tests as an integral part of the coursework, administered continuously within class time rather than being isolated in separate testing periods. This measure aims to alleviate students' fear of tests and transform the assessment process into a continuous journey of improvement and development, rather than simply issuing final judgments.
The ministry explained that the new regulations restructure the distribution of grades between coursework and final exams with specific percentages, ensuring a more comprehensive and balanced assessment of skills and knowledge. They also granted schools broader authority and greater flexibility in choosing appropriate assessment tools and methods, taking into account individual differences and the learning characteristics of each student.
Strategic context: Vision 2030 and human capacity development
These changes cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of educational development in Saudi Arabia, as they align with the objectives of the Human Capacity Development Program, one of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs. This program aims to shift from rote learning to skills-based and practical education. Integrating practical and oral components into coursework is a strategic step towards bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, thereby enhancing students' future readiness.
New mechanisms for evaluating people with disabilities and their behavior
In order to promote the principles of educational equity and equal opportunity, the regulations give special attention to students with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. Implementation procedures have been put in place to ensure a fair assessment environment, providing sufficient time and assistive devices to support their full inclusion in the educational process.
Regarding behavioral aspects and activities, the Ministry allocated 100 points to each activity program aimed at developing values and skills, in addition to 100 points for attendance. Furthermore, the behavior assessment system underwent a significant update, dividing it into positive behavior (80%) and exemplary behavior (20%), a step intended to enhance motivation for ethical and behavioral excellence within the school environment.
Focus on core skills and expected impact
The regulations emphasized the centrality of reading and writing skills in the early grades (first and second grade), making mastery of these skills a prerequisite for advancing to the next stage. This approach reflects the Ministry's commitment to addressing any learning gaps in foundational skills, which will positively impact students' academic performance in later grades.
This regulation is expected to have a broad positive impact at the local level by reducing the psychological pressure on families and students during exam periods and fostering a more stimulating school environment. Furthermore, holding final exams during the last week of the school day will ensure that learning time is utilized until the very last moment, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the education system.
