Test Evaluation Criteria Test evaluation criteria for SBA is based on the band instead of grades like in the

traditional education system. The Ministry of Education introduced six bands for the teacher to evaluate from band 1 until band 6. The explanations on the bands been provided by the ministry in the DSP. The table below are an example of the explanation of the bands in the DSP. Band 1 2 3 4 Criteria Know fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Understanding meanings at word, phrase and sentence level Use knowledge acquired through listening, speaking, reading and writing Apply knowledge acquired in a variety of situations using some appropriate language conventions 5 Demonstrates the ability to use language in a variety of situations using largely appropriate language conventions 6 Appreciate literary works and present ideas critically in an exemplary manner

The information above is an overview of the classification of the band. These information can be find in DSP provided in the appendices section together with the ways to evaluate the students. The test items that are used must have some info that will stimulates the students to complete their test and must follow the standardization according to the Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri . As we can see on the table above, each band tested the students on different skills. Thus, the test item that is going to be use to test the students must meet the criteria of the skills that is being tested to make the test legit and proved the students on that band. Teacher will evaluate the students and states the descriptors and evidences of the students. Descriptor is to show the students understanding and ability to complete the test item that is tested. While evidences is the result of the test item on how the students completed it based on the descriptor.

Since there is no test specifications provided by the ministry, both schools that we had visited had to come up with their own test item based on the DSP. The teachers that we interviewed also said that they had to used the method adopt and adapt to come up the test item. For example, they will take the items from reference books then adapt it to meet the level of the students of their schools. As for students in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Behrang 2020, the teacher in charge said that they only conducted the assessment to the students only until Band 2. It is because most of the students are weak in English as the school situated in rural area so the English language proficiency level of the students are quiet low. The teacher also needs to help the students to get into the next band because they are so weak. Same goes for the students in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Abdul Aziz, the level of proficiency of the students is low even though the school situated in the suburbs of Alor Setar. Both of the schools share almost the same level of proficiency of the students. The teachers said they had to help the students who are weak and cannot pass the test to get them advanced to the next band and for students which is advanced than other students the teacher will conduct a test for them separately from other students.