First Term Exam Schedules for 1447 (Ramadan) and Details of the Education Circular
The Saudi Ministry of Education has officially announced the schedules for the first-term exams for the current academic year 1447 AH, which will be held during the holy month of Ramadan. This announcement reflects the Ministry's commitment to organizing the educational process and ensuring its smooth operation according to well-planned schedules that take into account national and religious occasions, thus achieving a balance between academic achievement and the psychological well-being of students.
Schedule details and Founder's Day holiday
The Education Performance Department began its academic calendar by designating Sunday, the 5th of Ramadan, 1447 AH, as an official holiday for all education staff and students in celebration of "Foundation Day," a cherished national occasion on which the Kingdom commemorates its deep-rooted history. Immediately following this holiday, specifically on Monday, the 6th of Ramadan, the actual written and practical exams for all grade levels will commence, giving students a chance to rest before the start of the assessment season.
Elementary and early childhood arrangements
The Ministry has set Monday, the 6th of Ramadan, as the start date for the early childhood assessments, with students beginning with mathematics. Formative and periodic assessments will continue sequentially to cover all basic skills, culminating in the Arabic language exam on Thursday, the 16th of Ramadan. For the upper grades of primary school, the assessments will also begin on the same day with mathematics, and will continue until the end of the second week of Ramadan with science.
Middle and high school schedules and tracks
For middle school students, the schedule includes a variety of tests, beginning with mathematics, followed by formative and skills-based subjects such as digital skills, concluding on Thursday, the 16th of Ramadan, with a science test for all grades. For high school students, the schedule is as follows:
- First year of secondary school (common track): The schedule begins with mathematics, includes specialized subjects such as physics and environmental science, and concludes with English.
- Second year of secondary school (general track): A different start with English, followed by biology and mathematics, and ending with chemistry.
- Third year of secondary school (general track): Students face rigorous tests that begin with mathematics, include physics and earth and space sciences, and end their testing course in English.
Educational dimensions and timing of exams during Ramadan
The timing of these exams during the holy month of Ramadan carries significant educational and organizational implications. The adopted methodology focuses on a careful balance between written exams for the period and continuous formative assessments in skills and physical education. This distribution aims to alleviate the mental and physical burden on students during the fasting days, ensuring they are not overworked, while simultaneously maintaining the quality of learning outcomes.
This organization reflects the Ministry of Education’s commitment to developing a flexible educational environment that adapts to changes and occasions, as the end time for tests has been standardized in all educational stages, so that the curtain will fall on the first calendar period at the end of the school day on Thursday, the 16th of Ramadan 1447 AH, which allows students and their families to devote themselves to worship and prepare for the last ten days of the holy month.
