DAY one of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) was run without any major glitches, with approximately 14,500 students tested in English Language and Science.
Suelle Findlay, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, said the Assessment was run “smoothly.” Students will sit Mathematics and Social Studies today.

The ministry in a statement issued Tuesday urged candidates to “remember to keep a positive attitude throughout the assessment and try to stay relaxed.”
“If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths. Pace yourself, don’t rush. Read the whole question and pay attention to all the details looking for key words in every question to help you to understand and answer what is being asked of you.”
Candidates are also reminded to be on time, walk with their timetables, read the instructions carefully and write their candidate’s number on all answer sheets.
The new format was also a reminder, given that regarding candidate information, the two papers require different sets of information. For Paper One, the answer sheets will have the candidate’s information – candidate name and identification number – already printed.
This new criteria is part of the new layout for each of the four subjects written in the NGSA, which has two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2).
Paper Two, the cover page of the answer sheet is divided and perforated. The test code, subject, and Candidate Number are all required on both sides, while the Test Code and Subject will already be printed and candidates will be required to write in their Candidate Number – this information is provided for them on the timetables given to every candidate.
Though the new layout was questioned in the past, the Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, made it clear that “there is absolutely nothing that one should be worried or concerned about when it comes to the new layout. Attempts to cause worry now may just be a move to cause unnecessary panic,” said Sam, according to media reports.
He assured that “at no point in time, in any marking environment, will the candidates be known by anybody marking.”