Assessment Task Information & Guide
OVERVIEW
In 3rd Year, Junior Cycle students are expected to complete their second Assesment Task (AT) in maths.
On this page, we will detail what this task is, how to approach it and how it will be assessed.
NOTE
Any statement in quotation marks below is taken from the official guidelines.
2023/24 Arrangements
Current 3rd Years are not required to complete the Assessment Task. Details here.
In what ways am I assessed in maths?
In total, Junior Cycle Maths students are officially assessed in four different ways.
1) Classroom Based Assessment 1 (CBA 1) (2nd Year)
2) Classroom Based Assessment 2 (CBA 2) (3rd Year)
3) Assessment Task (AT) (3rd Year)
4) Final Examination (3rd Year)
Only the last two count towards the actual final grade of each student – 10% for the assessment task and 90% for the final examination.
The primary purpose of both CBAs, on the other hand, is to build up an understanding of the ability of each student. This information is beneficial to teachers, parents/guardians and the students themselves as it provides information as to how closely their expected level of achievement will match with their actual level of achievement.
What is the Assessment Task?
The assessment task is “directly related to the nature and focus of the second Classroom-Based Assessment”, i.e. CBA 2.
It involves a written task that “takes approximately a double class period or two single class periods (i.e. a minimum of 80 minutes) to complete”.
How should I prepare for the Assessment Task?
As this task is based around your submitted CBA 2, it is important that you ensure that you understand everything that you stated in that CBA. (Not just what it says, but why you said it.)
In total, you may be asked about some “or all” of the following in regards to your CBA 2.
1) Evaluation of the design.
2) The selection of variables.
3) Validity of the measurement methods.
4) The organisation of data.
5) The analysis and interpretation of summaries of the data.
6) The limitations of the investigation.
It is therefore a good idea to bring your CBA 2 with you to school in preparation for the Assessment Task.
Who grades my Assessment Task?
Unlike both CBAs, the Assessment Task is instead graded by the State Examinations Commission themselves (the very same commission that grades your final exam!)
