- How much guidance/support can teachers provide in conducting the assessments?
It varies depending on the nature of the assessment activities. As SBA is conducted during the learning and teaching process, teachers are expected to provide appropriate guidance to assist students in preparing for the completion of their work. The guiding principle is that the ability of an individual student is fairly assessed and undue assistance should not be given in such a way as to put into question the student's authorship of the work. Specific guidelines on the appropriate amount of support can be obtained from the SBA handbooks for individual subjects.
- What kind of feedback should schools provide to students regarding the SBA?
As SBA is an integral part of the learning and teaching process, teachers are expected to provide appropriate feedback to students, e.g. their marks or grades, their strengths and weaknesses, and advice on how improvements can be made. It is desirable for students to know where they stand so that they can work towards the next level of achievement.
- How should students' late submission of work be dealt with?
Schools may impose a penalty for failing to submit work in time in accordance with their regulations.
- How should students' absent on the day of assessment be dealt with?
Students failing to attend the assessment without legitimate reasons will get zero marks in the task concerned. For those with legitimate reasons (e.g. due to sickness), schools may consider adopting one of the following measures:
o allowing an extension of time for the student to complete the assessment;
o arranging a make-up assessment for the student;
o awarding an assessed mark based on the work completed and/or other equivalent task(s).
- Can schools use students' SBA results as their internal examination results?
Schools are encouraged to integrate SBA with their internal assessment practices and use students' SBA results as a part of internal examination results.
- Can students submit the same piece of work for the SBA of two subjects?
Unless otherwise specified in the SBA handbook, students cannot submit the same piece of work to more than one subject for assessment.
- Do schools need to submit SBA tasks/students' work to the HKEAA for vetting?
The HKEAA will conduct sample inspections of students' work and assessment records, as a part of the moderation and quality assurance mechanism for SBA. Unless otherwise specified, the samples will be chosen by the HKEAA and submitted in S6. Once the assessment is completed and marks submitted to the HKEAA, no further changes should be made to the students' work and assessment records. Schools will be informed of details of the sample inspection in advance.
- If a student suspends his/her study for an extended period of time during the course due to medical or other reasons (such as engagement in an exchange programme in a foreign country), will his/her SBA results obtained before the suspension of study be counted in his/her final SBA results when he/she resumes his/her study?
If the student resumes study in S5, he/she has to be assessed all over again. He/she has to fulfil the same SBA requirements as other S5 students. However, if the student resumes study in S6, he/she will be considered as a "transfer student". He/she will have to fulfil the assessment requirements of a "transfer student" in S6. In both cases, the student's previous SBA results obtained before the suspension of study will not be counted. However, the student should keep a full record of his/her previous SBA work done prior to the suspension of study for the reference of his/her teachers.
- Can school repeaters re-submit their earlier work for re-assessment during the repeating year?
School repeaters have to submit their SBA marks for S6. As they are under their teacher's guidance and curriculum time is provided for completing their SBA tasks, they are expected to complete their assessment work during the repeating year in accordance with their school’s S6 requirements.
- Can a school candidate enter for an additional subject in the HKDSE Examination that is not taught in his/her class at school? Does the student need to complete the SBA for that subject?
According to the examination regulations, candidates may enter for the HKDSE Examination either as school candidates or as private candidates but not both in the same year. If a school candidate intends to enter for an additional subject that is not taught in his/her school, he/she should bring this to the attention of the school in advance and seek consent from the school to enter for that subject. If that subject has an SBA component, the student has to complete that component as well. The student should consult the school in advance whether the school is able to assign a suitable teacher to conduct the SBA for him/her during the course, before deciding to enter for that subject.
- Can schools make special accommodation for those students with special educational needs?
Yes, schools can make special arrangements for these students in conducting SBA, examples of which include extension of assessment/preparation time, provision of ancillary aids or special assistance etc, so that they can be equitably assessed without having an unfair advantage.
- Who is eligible to conduct the SBA?
School principals are expected to assign suitable teachers to conduct SBA in accordance with EDB's regulations. Since SBA is an integral part of classroom learning and teaching, the assessor should normally be the subject teacher of the students.
- What can students do if they have any queries regarding the assessment results?
Students should first discuss their concerns with their subject teachers. If necessary, the student may lodge an application for re-consideration of assessment results to the school, in accordance with school regulations and procedures.
- Can students appeal against their SBA results?
Schools are expected to resolve students' queries on assessment results before submitting their SBA marks to the HKEAA. After the release of examination results, candidates may only submit an application to the HKEAA for rechecking of the SBA marks. They cannot apply for a re-assessment of their performance in SBA.
- Can schools refer complaints from students regarding SBA to the HKEAA?
Cases can be referred to the HKEAA via school principals if they cannot be resolved within the school. The HKEAA has established procedures for dealing with complaints related to public examinations and will be able to handle cases related to SBA.