14,500 students to sit National Grade Six Assessment today
Some 14,500 Grade Six students across Guyana will sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations today and tomorrow.
In a statement on Tuesday, Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has urged the students to remain optimistic during the course of the examinations. He reminded them to maintain a focused and relaxed mind which would be beneficial throughout the exams.
“If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths. Pace yourself, don’t rush. Read the question and pay attention to all the details looking for key words in every question to help you to understand and answer what is being asked of you,” the Minister advised the students.
Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine
He also took the time to reinforce standard regulations regarding examinations, including punctuality at all times. Students were additionally reminded to walk with their timetables to all four examinations and to carefully read through the papers before attempting to answer any questions right after signing their candidate number on all sheets.
The use of cellular and electronic devices is prohibited and students found with them can be disallowed from completing the NGSA.
Across the Caribbean, Grade Six students will be sitting four subjects: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.
The English and Science exams are today, and Mathematics and Social Studies, the following day.
Though the regulations remain the same in terms of sitting the exams, there have been many changes administratively that have gotten public criticism over the past weeks.
Much argument had arisen recently after the Education Ministry made the announcement that candidates would now be required to include their names on the provided answer sheets as opposed to only the candidate number.
Roopnaraine had said that this decision was taken solely to authorise that the candidate whose name was printed on the answer sheets was actually the one who had written the exam. He said that this can be confirmed by the candidate’s signature.
The Minister had noted that the part of the paper bearing the candidate’s information would be detached prior to marking and kept for administrative purposes, which would ensure that the process was transparent.
These changes, officials reassured, would in no way hinder the standardised method of marking.
