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Knowledge Tests

To support students to memorise their definitions, students complete termly knowledge tests across all of their subjects. We make reasonable adjustments in knowledge tests for a small number of pupils with SEND who find it more difficult to remember new material.

These tests will take place in the last two weeks of each term in lessons.  Students will self-assess under direction from the subject teacher and teachers will oversee the students recording their scores in their self-quizzing exercise book - there is a tracking sheet on the inside front cover.  As knowledge tests progress during the year, students can be expected to be tested on words/definitions from earlier terms as well as the most recent term; this is to ensure key vocabulary becomes embedded.  There will be times in the year when it is not appropriate for knowledge testing to take place such as during Mid-Year Assessments or KS4 Mock Exams.  

How do students prepare for a Knowledge Test?

Each week, students are set definitions to learn from their ‘knowledge booklet’. As part of their homework, students self-quiz these definitions using the ‘read, cover, write, check’ approach. Students should write out their definitions and then correct in green pen.

What happens during a knowledge test?

Students write out the definitions for the key words that they have self-quizzed for homework (see our homework timetable).

Why do students sit a knowledge test?

We know that when students are tested on these definitions, they have to think hard about the definitions and retrieve them from their long-term memory. The effort involved in this process helps students to remember the definitions that they need to be successful. 

We’ve carefully selected the definitions in each knowledge organiser to represent the foundational knowledge pupils need to be successful. As a result, we expect students to achieve 100% in their knowledge test. This doesn’t mean that pupils need to write out their definitions word-perfect – but the meaning does need to be accurate.

How many words do students have to learn?

Usually, students in year 7-9 will be set 2-3 items and in year 10-11 it will be 3-5. However, for some topics  it may be more because of the nature of the subject.