Schools to conduct Year 6 Aptitude Test next year

Starting next year, the Year 6 Aptitude Test will be administered by schools, said Education director-general Datuk Seri Dr Khair Mohamad Yusof.

He said this year was the last year the centralised Year 6 Aptitude Test was conducted after the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR).

Speaking at a media conference to announce the 2015 UPSR Results analysis here today, Khair said the aptitude test which measures the level of capability and mental readiness of pupils is conducted before they enter secondary schools.

He said the potential of students would be reported based on the skills to think, solve problems, as well as to decide on the interests and inclinations of pupils in academic, technical and vocational education as well as in arts, culture, social or sports.

"The test information is very useful to parents and teachers to assist pupils in making their choices in secondary education apart from enabling to realise the potential of pupils academically via their UPSR results," he said.

"I need to clarify that the aptitude test report is not stated in the UPSR results slip but they can be obtained from the school," he said.

According to a Education Ministry officer, the dates for aptitude test will be decided by the school management starting 2016.

Prior to this, the aptitude test is held within the UPSR examination schedule.

Meanwhile, Khair said the implementation of the first cohort of School Based Assessment (PBS) will be in Year 6 in 2016 in line with the Malaysian Education Blueprint (PPPM) second wave.

He said the results of the 2016 UPSR would be released with the reporting of PBS with the UPSR results slip, School Assessment statement (PS), Physical Activity, Sports and Co-curricular Assessment (PAJSK) and the Psychometric Assessment statement (PPsi).