THIS PAMPHLET has explained why there is concern that an assessment system mainly based on tests and examinations fall short of providing valid and reliable information about pupils’ achievements. The reasons for this reside partly in the knowledge and abilities assessed, and partly in the methods of assessment and the use made of the results. The consequence is to constrain the curriculum and teaching methods and impair the implementation of assessment for
learning. It also leads to summative assessment being carried out far too frequently.To minimise the unintended consequences, summative assessment should be designed to provide information for
specific purposes and carried out only when progress needs to be summarised and evaluated. At other times teachers should focus on the formative use of assessment.