Question on testing in Yr7/8/9

[solittletime]

Posting on a fact finding mission - I was wondering if you could let me know how your / your children’s school assesses children in these year groups?
Just interested in comparing to our school.
They test children at the end of each term rather than do an end of year assessment each year on all the topics (which I guess is more how it used to be?)
Not saying any way is better or worse, just curious! Thank you

Ours do both.

Interim, e.g.end of topic, tests, plus end of year exams.

Assessment weeks every term rather than end of year exams.

Periodic Cat4 tests (start of year 7 and 9 most likely).

end of topic tests.
formal exams in maths & science & English end of year
other subjects may have end of year assessment but tends to be on 'skills learned' not 'content learned'. e.g. may be given 1 specific short topic to revise and then an unseen question in class.

More formal exams mid-end y9 to inform setting/banding for GCSEs. Science is earlier to inform who will be allowed to do triple.

(Science teacher)

7+8: end of topic + end of term (covering the topics for that term)

9 have started GCSE, so end of topic + Assessment in Jan (covering first 3 topics) + 'mocks' in summer (covering first 6 topics of GCSE.

Y7 DD has end of term assessments for all subjects and end of year tests for core (maths, English, science, MFL).

End of topic tests (which are at least termly and sometimes half termly). Also end of year exams in every subject. Year 9 have started GCSE options so they sit "formal" exams; Y7 and Y8 are just in the classroom.

(The above is behaviour in normal times - they haven't been doing any of this in lockdown).

They have end of topic tests - usually half termly - in maths, sciences and languages and end of year exams in every subject (except art)

Normally to term tests in November and February and then a test in May or June covering the whole year work.

The term tests are fairly simple and they are not required to revise much but the end of year one includes two weeks of revision practice at home and in school and then 1-2 subjects per day in a formal setting.

Thanks for the info. We were trying to work out if the end of term tests were a good thing or not.
They seem quite light but then dd is only yr8 and GCSEs are still a way off

DS1's school has block tests in each subject and end of year exams.

DS2's school has block tests in subjects and formal exams at the end of each term.

My POV on testing is that end of year tests generally are great for very able children and those who are diligent in revising throughout the year.

End of terms tests are good for those with children who are less able or less diligent in revision.

Very light touch. No formal testing in Y7&8. Some subjects choose to do occasional in-lesson assessments, but they're very informal (no revision required). I'm sure there must be some sort of internal grading system, but grades aren't shared with students or parents.