School exams and grading

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Monthly and Final Exams

All students are expected to sit monthly and final exams.

Grades are the ordinary means the Academy uses in order to inform parents of the student’s academic progress. They are sent to each boy’s parents after each unit exams, on the days designated in the school year calendar. Parents are encouraged to read the grades carefully and discuss progress and setbacks with their sons.

Exam Conduct

Because of the honesty which should characterize our students, any attempt to copy during an exam will be taken as failed. By this, it is implied that they should have no notes, books on or near the desk.

No student should communicate with any of his companions during an exam, whether by words, signs or notes. Failure to do so will mean a zero in the exam.

Exams should not be shown to anyone during the exam.

Languages

Cambridge Exams

The Cambridge Exam which is held in June or March has three levels. This assessment also gives the overall English Language result. This will be the same as in the main report, a breakdown of English Language skills, and a comment section. The teacher will only use this section if he/she feels it necessary to explain some points to the parents. Please note that while 4 is the pass mark for all school exams, 6 is a pass mark for the Cambridge exams, 8 is a very good mark, 9 an excellent mark, and to achieve 10 the student must be outstanding.

Dublin Oak Academy students receive Cambridge University English Language Certificates, depending on their level of expertise in the use of English.

Cambridge certificates are recognized internationally as proof of competence in the English language.

Our students will present the following levels at the Cambridge University English exams:

Preliminary English Test (PET)

Level 2 of the Cambridge exam system. Students who pass this exam are able to cope with a range of everyday situations on their own or in a foreign country, with native and non-native speakers of English. This exam requires about 380 hours of study overall, including previous years of English language learning. In general terms, it is about Pre-Intermediate.

First Certificate of English (FCE)

This exam supposes that the student is fluent and accurate in English. It is generally taken by professional people or high school graduates who are working or want to work in an English speaking environment. The topics are very demanding and difficult for younger students. A pass here is an excellent result since it supposes up to 600 hours of study. This level corresponds to Upper-Intermediate level.

TIE (Test of Interactive English)

The Test of Interactive English (TIE) is recognized by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), a statutory body of the Department of Education and Skills.

TIE Test Format

The test assesses learner’ communicative and interactive skills. It has two parts, an Oral Test (30 minutes) based on the student’s project work, and a Written Test (60 minutes). The TIE Scale of Assessment accords with the Council of Europe’s Common Framework Scale of Language Proficiency.

TIE is recognized by the Irish Department of Education and Skills. For more information, please visit: www.tie.ie.

Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS)

TIE is an international EFL exam developed in Ireland by a group of Irish English language professionals under the aegis of the Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) a government agency responsible for quality assurance in English language teaching. TIE is suitable for school students and our students will sit this test (that includes both, oral and written papers) as part of the English training programme.