What Are School-Based Assessments?
School-Based Assessment (SBA) is the continuous assessment component of the CAPS curriculum. Unlike examinations, which test knowledge at a single point in time, SBA assesses learners throughout the year through a variety of tasks including tests, assignments, projects, practical work, and oral presentations.
In the FET Phase (Grades 10 to 12), SBA contributes 25% of the final promotion mark, with the end-of-year examination contributing 75%. In the National Senior Certificate (Grade 12), SBA counts 25% of the final mark alongside the external examination.
Types of SBA Tasks
The CAPS curriculum specifies the number, type, and weighting of SBA tasks for each subject per term. Common task types include:
- Tests – Formal written assessments under controlled conditions
- Assignments – Research or writing tasks completed over a period
- Projects – Extended investigations or creative tasks
- Practical work – Laboratory experiments (Sciences), practical demonstrations (Technology), or computer-based tasks (CAT/IT)
- Oral assessments – Prepared and unprepared speeches, reading aloud, listening comprehension (Languages)
- Portfolios – Collections of work demonstrating progress (Creative Arts, Languages)
SBA Requirements by Phase
Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3)
Assessment is primarily informal and continuous. Teachers observe learners, use checklists, and keep records of progress. Formal assessment tasks are limited but increase from Grade 1 to Grade 3.
Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6)
Formal assessment becomes more structured, with specified tasks per subject per term. Recording and reporting follow the CAPS assessment guidelines.
Senior Phase (Grades 7 to 9)
SBA tasks are more rigorous, with clear rubrics and assessment criteria. Each subject specifies the required number of formal tasks per term.
FET Phase (Grades 10 to 12)
SBA is strictly regulated, with the Programme of Assessment specifying exact task types, weightings, and due dates. Grade 12 SBA marks are moderated provincially and nationally to ensure consistency.
Quality and Moderation
To ensure fairness and consistency, SBA tasks undergo moderation at multiple levels:
- Internal moderation – The subject head or HOD checks tasks before they are given to learners and moderates a sample of marked work
- Cluster or district moderation – Schools share tasks and marking with neighbouring schools for comparison
- Provincial moderation – Grade 12 SBA portfolios are sampled and moderated by provincial education departments
Tips for Teachers
- Plan your Programme of Assessment at the start of each term to avoid bottlenecks
- Use the CAPS subject-specific assessment guidelines to ensure compliance with task types and weightings
- Provide clear rubrics to learners before each task so they understand what is expected
- Keep accurate records of marks and maintain organised portfolios for moderation
- Provide constructive feedback that helps learners improve, not just marks
Tips for Learners
- SBA counts towards your final mark. Treat every formal task seriously
- Submit work on time. Late submissions may be penalised according to school policy
- Keep copies of your work in case of disputes or lost submissions
- Use teacher feedback to improve your next task