Assessing Learning
Personalising Learning
Tracking every
learner’s journey
Assessment is central to personalising learning and supporting every child’s progress. A balance of classroom assessments, feedback, and external benchmarks helps track growth and guide next steps.
Alongside academic progress, learners also develop digital and life skills, such as digital literacy, communication, thinking, research, and self-management that build independence and prepare them for future success.
Primary School
Throughout Primary, assessment is an important tool to personalise and improve learning. We use a variety of approaches to measure knowledge, skills and understanding, alongside standardised assessments from the UK. We’re proud to offer robust, internationally benchmarked assessments to ensure the highest standards.
From Year 3 onwards, learners sit Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4) to help us understand how they learn best, with further assessments in Years 5 and 6 to support a smooth transition to Secondary. Each year, learners also complete Progress Tests in English and Maths to track progress against international benchmarks.
Within the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), Exit Points at the end of each unit provide another meaningful form of assessment. These showcase learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding in authentic, creative ways, allowing them to apply what they have learned and share it with peers and parents.
We also believe strongly in partnership with parents. Parent Teacher Meetings are organised twice a year to review individual progress, while a Parent Teacher Learner Conference takes place once a year, giving learners the opportunity to take ownership of their achievements and next steps.
Middle School
Assessment plays a key role in Middle School, helping teachers personalise learning and enabling learners to understand their progress.
Each unit of work includes a balance of assessments, dependent on the subject: ongoing Assessment for Learning (AfL), which provides regular feedback to guide next steps and Assessment of Learning (AoL), where learners demonstrate their skills and understanding at the end of a cycle. These assessments take on different forms, linked to the unique needs of each subject.
Learners also complete external assessments to support benchmarking set meaningful targets. These include Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4) in Year 7, as well as annual Progress Tests in English, Maths, and Science, which track progress against international standards and are usually conducted at the end of the year.
Parents and teachers maintain a strong partnership through regular coffee mornings, Parents’ Evenings and progress reports shared every 6 to 8 weeks. These consistent touchpoints foster open, supportive communication and helps families clearly understand each learner’s growth, celebrate milestones and receive meaningful guidance for their continued success.
IGCSE
International GCSEs are studied for over two years and assessed through a combination of coursework and final examinations at the end of Year 11. Depending on the subject, assessment may include written exams, practical work, oral presentations and projects. This balanced approach allows learners to demonstrate not only their knowledge but also their ability to apply skills in analysis, problem-solving and communication.
Throughout the two-year course, teachers provide ongoing Assessment for Learning (AfL) and regular feedback to monitor progress and support development. Parents and learners are provided with regular assessment reports. Meanwhile, mid-course and mock examinations in Year 10 and 11, respectively, offer valuable practice and preparation for the final external exams. These examinations are set and certified by leading awarding bodies, including Cambridge, Pearson and Oxford AQA, ensuring international recognition and the highest standards of academic rigour.
Parents and teachers stay closely connected through regular reporting, coffee mornings, Parents’ evenings and academic reports to ensure a strong home–school partnership with clear communication about each learner’s progress, achievements, and next steps guidance.
International Baccalaureate
At Nexus, learners can choose between the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related Programme (IBCP).
The IBDP offers a world-class balance of academic rigour and personal growth, with assessments combining internal coursework, such as oral presentations, practical projects and written assignments, with external examinations at the end of the programme. Internal work is externally moderated to ensure the highest levels of global consistency, fairness and academic excellence. To ensure all learners are prepared for exam success, we conduct mock exams in Year 12 and 13 offering valuable practice and preparation for the final external exams.
The International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) at Nexus offers an exciting pathway for learners who prefer continual assessment and wish to specialise in the field of Business. The main component, BTEC Business, is assessed entirely through coursework, allowing learners to demonstrate their skills and understanding throughout the course.
Parents and teachers stay closely connected through frequent coffee mornings, Parents’ evenings and regular reports (every 6 to 8 weeks). These touchpoints ensure open and supportive communication, giving families a clear picture of each learner’s progress, celebrating their achievements and providing thoughtful guidance for the journey ahead.
Nexus
Learner Voices
Curious about life at Nexus International School Malaysia? Hear directly from our learners as they share their journeys and experiences across every stage of school.
