Some 30,000 students in 650 schools all over Saudi Arabia will spend two days being tested by the Public Education Evaluation Commission (PEEC), beginning Monday.

According to Saleh Al-Shamrani, PEEC deputy governor, the nationwide tests this year will be held for students in Grades 3 and 6 in science and mathematics; Arabic language will be added next year.

Al-Shamrani said the tests would contribute to the improvement of students’ educational standards in certain subjects.

“They will also assist in identifying external factors that may affect the educational level of students positively or negatively,” he said, adding that the tests were designed to provide accurate information to decision-makers and those involved in teaching.

They can develop plans and strategies to raise the quality of education in the interest of their students.

He noted the importance of active participation — of parents, students, teachers and school leaders — in order to achieve the objective of the tests. According to him, the test results will be held in strict confidence.

The tests will be conducted annually under a phased program to keep track of the changes that occur in the educational level over time and to provide accurate information as a tool for decision-making and the development of the educational process.

Saja Jamjoom, director of the national testing program, said the development of national tests had gone through several stages based on the latest scientific concepts and the best international practices.

In that context, a partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research has been concluded to oversee the testing and qualification developing process for the national cadres.

“In line with the PEEC strategy to involve national views of stakeholders and specialists in all its functions, more than 70 individual representatives of government institutions were consulted before developing the tests. This will provide a frame of reference to determine subjects and classes and all national standards.”

More than 40 teachers and supervisors cooperated in the task of writing questions based on the standards adopted by the PEEC.

To ensure the quality and range of questions relevant to the level of Saudi students, a pilot test consisting of 4,000 students was used. A random selection of boys and girls from all regions of the Kingdom was made in order to prepare the most appropriate questions.

The aim was to collect accurate information concerning the achievement levels of Saudi students, Jamjoom said.