Back

Assessment at IIS

assesment

At The Indian International School, DSO, assessment is a continuous process that provides information on the learning and progress of our students. It is an integral part of our planning, evaluating, recording and reporting cycle. It is not a stand-alone activity. It measures student performance at any given point in time, and it is an ongoing process of gaining information to promote future success in learning.

How students are assessed changes as they move up the school. The early phases focus on skills and observation. From Middle upwards, the pattern follows CBSE requirements.

Internal Assessment

  • The Pre-KG and Kindergarten operate on a purely skill-based ongoing evaluation pattern, in which students are continuously observed and evaluated on the development of their foundational skills across the various learning areas, including life skills.
  • Pre-KG follows the same approach as KG1 and KG2.
  • Teachers, through discussion and observation, make detailed assessments of each child's progress, keeping careful records that build a comprehensive picture over the course of the year.
  • The academic year is divided into three terms — April to June, September to November and December to March.
  • "I can" statements shared monthly, and skill descriptors at the end of each term, give parents a clear insight into their child's progress over time.
  • We follow a No Assessment Policy for the Primary phase, ensuring that our young learners move steadily and at ease from the foundational stages to the more formally structured phases of learning. There are no formally scheduled assessments.
  • Learning and progress are evaluated through multiple assessments, skill-based assessments, subject enrichment activities and notebook submissions.
  • Grade 5 is a transitional grade between Primary and Middle, so a Review Assessment of 10 marks is conducted at the end of each term. This gradually introduces students to the formal assessment pattern.
  • The academic year is divided into three terms — April to June, September to November and December to March.
  • "I can" statements shared monthly, and skill descriptors at the end of each term, give parents a clear insight into their child's progress over time.
  • Grades 6 to 8 operate on a definite and structured assessment pattern. The assessment scheme is designed to measure the achievement of all students in a consistent and comparable manner.
  • Assessments are carried out throughout the year, with term-end examinations and periodic tests carrying more weight.
  • The academic year is divided into two terms — April to October and October to March. Formative assessment happens through multiple assessments, subject enrichment activities and notebook submissions.
  • The term structure, assessment pattern and timelines adhere strictly to CBSE guidelines and specifications and are revised in line with CBSE directives from time to time.
  • The formal assessment components comprise periodic tests, multiple assessments, subject enrichment activities and notebook submissions.
  • Grade 9 students sit an Annual Examination at the end of the year.
  • Grade 10 students sit a Model Examination, which serves as preparation for the CBSE board examination.
  • The academic year is divided into two terms — April to October and October to February.
  • Internal assessments include unit tests, periodic tests, half-yearly examinations, the Annual Examination in Grade 11, the Model Examination in Grade 12, and practicals, projects and viva-voce, in line with CBSE guidelines.
  • Pre-board examinations are held in January.
  • Exact dates for all assessments are shared closer to the time through Class MS Teams.

Formative Assessment

Three components run across the phases that use formal assessment.

Ongoing assessments in diverse forms, evaluating the progress of learners on a regular basis. These range from oral tests and quizzes to graphic organisers and art-integrated learning consolidations.

Activities that develop and assess specific skills within a subject — the assessment of speaking and listening in languages, for example, or of inquiry and investigation in mathematics and science.

A purposeful collection of sample student work that demonstrates learning progression, achievement and evidence in key areas of learning. The collection can include assignments, tasks and reports of activities undertaken by the student. The e-portfolio gives parents, teachers and students a quick grasp of the learning process.

International Benchmark Tests

We stay abreast of the latest trends in educational standards and expectations worldwide and take part in the following.

Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) — a suite of tests assessing a student’s reasoning abilities in the key areas that support educational development and academic attainment, from Grade 1 onwards.

International Schools’ Assessment (ISA), by ACER — monitors the performance of students in Grades 3 to 9 over time, and confirms that internal assessments are aligned with international expectations. It is closely aligned to PISA in its assessment of reading, mathematical literacy and scientific literacy.

External benchmark assessments are conducted for Grades 3 to 9 in English, Mathematics and Science.

We also work towards the successful attainment of the UAE National Agenda, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in 2014, which sets educational targets for the next phase of the country’s educational development.

The PISA and TIMSS National Agenda targets — PISA for students aged 15, TIMSS for Grades 4 and 8 — reflect the UAE’s aspiration to become a leading country in education. Critical thinking, problem solving, reading and the real-life application of knowledge are developed and continually evaluated through Problem-Solving Skill tests and our Skill Builder Programme.

View our National Agenda Parameter results (PDF)

Explore more

Curriculum — subjects and phases from Pre-KG to Grade 12
Curriculum Enrichment — programmes beyond the timetable
Academic Calendar — term dates and key events

Ready to apply?

Registration for academic year 2027-28 is open from 3rd September 2026 onward.

Apply now
School fees
Contact us