The Differing Views in using the Common Assessment Tasks in Secondary School Science

Rozi-Suzanah Yatab, Masitah Shahrill

Abstract: The Science common assessment tasks currently implemented in Brunei Darussalam (better known as the Brunei Common Assessment Tasks or BCATs) emphasized on developing the 21st Century learning skills among students as well as on the attempt to develop the students to be active learners. However, the effectiveness of the Science BCATs remained debatable. A small-scale case study was conducted involving 33 Year 7 students and four Secondary Science teachers. Questionnaires were used to accumulate data on the views of the Science BCATs from teachers and students. The findings from this study revealed that students have positive perceptions towards the Science BCATs, however teachers perceived them as insignificant. This contradicts with the main aim in the initial implementation of the Science BCATs in the secondary schools.

Keywords: Common Assessment Tasks, Secondary School Science, Perceptions