What is special about Kanoon Developmental Assessments/Examinations?
Why have self-reliant, self-learning students and educated parents been admiring our Developmental Assessments during these years? If these assessments were like other typical tests, students would have been eluding them, or feeling more stressed by taking them, as some psychologists and educational theorists were expecting. Students voluntarily take part in the Assessments every two weeks, even though they are held on weekends. On the contrary, typical exams are held during weekdays and students are obliged to take them. Moreover, students' results in our exams help them evaluate their educational skills during the learningprogress. In Developmental Assessments students learn through assessing themselves, as opposed to the standard summative pass/fail tests. Our formative exams are held regularly and consistently every twoweeks. We hold twenty Developmental Examinations during each academic year and five during the summer holiday, While conventional summative exams are are held twice or four times a year.
A Typical Developmental Assessment Day:
Taking a 'three-hour' exam is not the only purpose of attending Developmental Assessments on weekends. The following timetable shows the typical range of activities that Kanoon pupils, their Personal Tutors, parents, and staff will undertake. The exams are designed based on the state curriculum, providing students with a single coherent Strategic Educational Road Map.
Morning: Pre Exam
Until 7:30
Boys and girls arrive at the exam hall
Exam:
7:45
The Developmental Assessment exam starts as the entrance gates to the exam hall close. First, a survey sheet is distributed among the pupils to collect their feedbacks. Kanoon uses the result of the students' feedbacks to tackle its deficiencies. Afterwards, pupils receive the exam booklets and the exam officially starts. The first booklet includes the exam questions from all disciplines, and the duration of exam varies between two to three hours depending on the students' level. Upon the completion of the exam, students receive the second booklet, which has the complete solutions to the questions in full details. We suggest students study this booklet during the evening, after the exam, and archive their answers in their Self-Learning Portfolio. The third booklet includes a series of tests designed for those who have missed the exam and the students can use them to practice for the next Developmental Assessment. The fourth booklet is Azmoon Magazine, which is a collection of educational articles, experiences of successful pupils, and other useful information for students, parents, teachers and Personal Tutors.
Afternoon: Post Exam
12:30
After the exam, Personal Tutors check the students' Personal Developmental Books. The students' results in Developmental Assessments' are checked against their reading hours during the previous two weeks. With the help of their Personal Tutors, students set goals for the next Developmental Examination.
Evening: Learning by Assessment
The most important part of the Kanoon Developmental Examination day is when students reflect on their methods of studying, progress, failures and successes. The examination result helps them identify their weaknesses and strengths. As a result, they create their own successful methods of learning.
Here, one of our Personal Tutors, Mrs Parastoo Askari writes about the benefits of Kanoon Developmental Examinations:
"Benefits of Kanoon Developmental Examinations
When students enrol in Kanoon, they should participate in our Developmental Examinations, every 2 week. Taking these regular exams has many advantages:
1. Students can evaluate their performance in different subjects.
2. Their positive and negative points will be revealed.
3. Students will be encouraged to try harder.
4. These competitions help them do their best.
Overall, Kanoon Developmental Examinations help the students know themselves better and prepare for "Concour"."