The types of assessments that you will face in the IB-MYP

So, you’ve decided to embark on the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program adventure. Congratulations! Over the next five years, you’ll experience a rigorous yet rewarding education that will challenge you in new ways and help you develop important skills. A key part of the MYP experience are the assessments you’ll complete each year to demonstrate your learning and growth. In year one, you can expect projects, presentations, and portfolios to show what you’ve learned in your classes. Year two ramps it up with more in-depth inquiries into topics you care about. Years three and four prepare you for the Personal Project, a chance to dive deep into a passion of your choice. And finally, year five ties it all together with the MYP eAssessment, which allows you to exhibit the creativity, critical thinking, and perseverance you’ve gained. While the road ahead won’t always be easy, the MYP assessments are your opportunity to shine. You’ve got this! Now, let’s take a closer look at what each year has in store.

Assessments in IB MYP Year 1: Formative Assessments and Summative Projects

In MYP Year 1, you’ll face two main types of assessments: formative and summative. Formative assessments happen frequently, providing feedback to help you improve. Things like quick quizzes, worksheets, and teacher observations fall into this category. The marks don’t count toward your final grade, but pay attention – formative assessments show you what you need to focus on to succeed. Summative assessments measure your learning at the end of a unit. Projects, papers, presentations, and end-of-unit tests are all examples. Summative assessment marks do count toward your final grades, so put in the necessary effort and preparation. In MYP Year 2, formative assessments continue with the same purpose: checking for understanding and helping guide your progress. Summative assessments start to carry more weight, as end-of-unit tests, projects, papers, and presentations will make up a larger portion of your final grades. Skills and content from Year 1 are built upon, so don’t slack off – keep practicing and preparing. MYP Year 3 summative assessments increase in complexity, requiring you to apply what you’ve learned over multiple units or even years. Projects, papers, and presentations evaluate your ability to make connections across areas of learning. End-of-year exams test a wide range of skills and content, so consistent effort and revision are key. Stay focused and keep your notes and work organized for the challenges ahead. In MYP Years 4 and 5, summative assessments like extended essays, community projects, and personal projects require significant time and dedication. Exams cover all areas of learning from the program. Success on these challenging assessments requires diligence, hard work, and a growth mindset. Keep your eyes on the final goal and stay determined – you’ve got this! With the right mindset and preparation, you’ll master the MYP.

Assessments in IB MYP Year 2: Introduction of the Personal Project

In Year 2 of the IB MYP, you’ll start working on your Personal Project. This project lets you explore your interests and passions in depth. You’ll choose a topic that fascinates you and work on it over several months. To start, you’ll come up with a clear goal and a plan to achieve it. This could be learning a new skill, creating something, or researching a subject that intrigues you. You’ll check in regularly with your supervisor to get guidance and feedback to keep you on track. While working on your project, you’ll maintain a process journal where you record your progress, questions, successes, and setbacks. This helps you reflect on your journey and also provides evidence of your work for assessment. At the end of the project, you’ll present your work to a panel. They’ll evaluate how well you achieved your initial goal, the quality of your work, and the depth of your reflections. Your presentation, process journal, and final product are all used to determine your final achievement level from 1 to 8. The Personal Project teaches valuable skills like self-management, critical thinking, communication and more. Though challenging, completing your project will give you a huge sense of accomplishment and pride in your achievement. Many students find it a highlight of their MYP experience. While the Personal Project may seem daunting, starting early and getting guidance from your teacher will set you up for success. Put in the necessary work and you’ll gain so much from this opportunity to explore your interests in an in-depth, hands-on way. The rewards of learning and growth will make all your effort worthwhile.

Assessments in IB MYP Year 3: Preparation for the MYP eAssessment

Assessments in IB MYP Year 3: Preparation for the MYP eAssessment

In Year 3 of the MYP, you’ll start preparing in earnest for the MYP eAssessments in Year 5. The eAssessments evaluate your understanding of the MYP concepts and skills in each subject group. In Year 3, your teachers will focus on helping you strengthen areas that need improvement based on your progress so far. Subject-specific assessments in Year 3 aim to prepare you for the eAssessments. In Language and Literature, for example, you may have short-response questions, essays, or commentaries to assess your analytical and communication skills. For Sciences, you’ll likely do experiments and reports to build your scientific thinking and research abilities. Some Year 3 assessments are cross-curricular, meaning they span multiple subjects. The Personal Project encourages you to explore your passions through self-directed research and experimentation. You’ll choose a topic that fascinates you, then create a product or outcome to showcase your learning. The Project provides an opportunity to develop essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and self-management. Year 3 also introduces the Community Project, where you work with others to identify and help address a real need in your local community. The Community Project cultivates skills in areas like problem-solving, teamwork, and global engagement that will serve you well in the MYP and beyond. While Year 3 assessments help determine your current progress in the MYP, their primary purpose is formative. Your teachers will provide detailed feedback to guide your continued growth and development. Use this feedback to set specific goals and make improvements to your work. With hard work and perseverance, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to excel in the Year 5 eAssessments and prepare for the challenges of the IB Diploma Program.

Assessments in IB MYP Years 4 and 5: MYP eAssessment Exams

In Years 4 and 5 of the IB MYP, students complete MYP eAssessment exams that are externally assessed. These high-stakes exams aim to prepare you for the rigors of the IB Diploma Program (DP) assessments.

MYP Year 4

In Year 4, you will take eAssessments in Language and Literature, Sciences, Mathematics, and Interdisciplinary Learning. These 2-hour digital exams consist of short- and extended-response questions that assess your understanding of MYP objectives and skills. Results are reported on the MYP Certificate.

MYP Year 5

The stakes increase in Year 5, as these eAssessments also contribute to your final MYP grades. You will be examined in Language Acquisition, Language and Literature, Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Design. Some subjects may require the submission of a portfolio in addition to the exam. These assessments aim to evaluate your mastery of knowledge and skills developed throughout the MYP. Strong performance can strengthen your MYP Certificate and help you earn the MYP Course Results that many DP schools require for admission. With diligent review of MYP objectives and past papers, you will feel well-prepared to achieve your best. Though challenging, the MYP eAssessments provide valuable experience with rigorous testing that will benefit you in higher education. With hard work and perseverance, you can excel and reap the rewards of your MYP education. Stay focused on learning and developing your understanding – the grades will follow. With the right mindset, you will do great!

IB MYP Assessment Overview: Formative, Summative and External Assessments

In the IB MYP, you’ll face several types of assessments to measure your learning and understanding. These include formative, summative, and external assessments.

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments happen frequently during each unit. These help you and your teachers understand your progress and find areas that need improvement. Things like quizzes, presentations, and draft work all provide feedback to shape your learning.

Summative Assessments

Summative assessments evaluate your understanding of an entire unit’s worth of learning. These may include end-of-unit tests, papers, projects or performances. Summative assessments are more formal and contribute significantly to your final grade. Prepare well for these assessments to demonstrate your mastery of the unit’s objectives.

External Assessments

In the final year of the MYP (Year 5), you will complete external assessments which are marked by IB examiners outside of your school. These include an interdisciplinary assessment, a language acquisition portfolio, and end-of-course assessments in your chosen subjects. External assessments allow you to apply what you’ve learned across the MYP program. The types of assessments become more rigorous and high-stakes as you progress through the MYP to prepare you for the IB Diploma Program (DP). However, with hard work and effective preparation, you will find success on all MYP assessments. Keep an open line of communication with your teachers, ask questions when you have them, and make the most of all practice opportunities. With the right mindset and determination, you’ve got this! Stay focused on learning and growth, not just grades, and the MYP assessments will fall into place. So there you have it, the types of assessments you can expect during your time in the MYP. While the workload may seem daunting, try not to stress too much. Focus on learning and developing your skills, not just on grades and marks. The MYP is meant to challenge you and help you grow into a thoughtful, principled learner. Use the feedback from your teachers and apply it to future work. Build good habits now that will serve you well beyond the program. While the assessments may evolve over the years, the ultimate goal remains the same: help you become the best student and person you can be. You’ve got this! Make the most of your MYP experience.