Note! The IB subject specific assessment criteria are used during the MYP studies as one means of varied ways of assessment, because they give the student more detailed feedback on the learning and skills. Yet, the final assessment is based on the descriptions given in the Finnish national core curriculum.

9th grade | MYP 5 assessment criteria

Criterion A: Knowing and understanding

Maximum: 8

At the end of year 5, students should be able to:

i. explain scientific knowledge

ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in familiar and unfamiliar situations

iii. analyse and evaluate information to make scientifically supported judgments.

Achievement level and level descriptor

0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student is able to:

i. state scientific knowledge

ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to suggest solutions to problems set in familiar situations

iii. interpret information to make judgments.

3–4

The student is able to:

i. outline scientific knowledge

ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in familiar situations

iii. interpret information to make scientifically supported judgments.

5–6

The student is able to:

i. describe scientific knowledge

ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in familiar situations and suggest solutions to problems set in

unfamiliar situations

iii. analyse information to make scientifically supported judgments.

7–8

The student is able to:

i. explain scientific knowledge

ii. apply scientific knowledge and understanding to solve problems set in familiar and unfamiliar situations

iii. analyse and evaluate information to make scientifically supported judgments.

Criterion B: Inquiring and designing

Maximum: 8

At the end of year 5, students should be able to:

i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate a testable hypothesis and explain it using scientific reasoning

iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how data will be collected

iv. design scientific investigations.

Achievement level and level descriptor

0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student is able to:

i. state a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. outline a testable hypothesis

iii. outline the variables

iv. design a method, with limited success.

3–4

The student is able to:

i. outline a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning

iii. outline how to manipulate the variables, and outline how relevant data will be collected

iv. design a safe method in which he or she selects materials and equipment.

5–6

The student is able to:

i. describe a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using scientific reasoning

iii. describe how to manipulate the variables, and describe how sufficient, relevant data will be collected

iv. design a complete and safe method in which he or she selects appropriate materials and equipment.

7–8

The student is able to:

i. explain a problem or question to be tested by a scientific investigation

ii. formulate and explain a testable hypothesis using correct scientific reasoning

iii. explain how to manipulate the variables, and explain how sufficient, relevant data will be collected

iv. design a logical, complete and safe method in which he or she selects appropriate materials and equipment.

Criterion C: Processing and evaluating

Maximum: 8

At the end of year 5, students should be able to:

i. present collected and transformed data

ii. interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning

iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of the scientific investigation

iv. evaluate the validity of the method

v. explain improvements or extensions to the method.

Achievement level and level descriptor

0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student is able to:

i. collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms

ii. interpret data

iii. state the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

iv. state the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

v. state improvements or extensions to the method.

3–4

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect and present data in numerical and/or visual forms

ii. accurately interpret data and explain results

iii. outline the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

iv. outline the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

v. outline improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific investigation.

5–6

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect, organize and present data in numerical and/or visual forms

ii. accurately interpret data and explain results using scientific reasoning

iii. discuss the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

iv. discuss the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

v. describe improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the scientific investigation.

7–8

The student is able to:

i. correctly collect, organize, transform and present data in numerical and/ or visual forms

ii. accurately interpret data and explain results using correct scientific reasoning

iii. evaluate the validity of a hypothesis based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

iv. evaluate the validity of the method based on the outcome of a scientific investigation

v. explain improvements or extensions to the method that would benefit the

Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of science

Maximum: 8

At the end of year 5, students should be able to:

i. explain the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue

ii. discuss and evaluate the various implications of using science and its application to solve a specific problem or issue

iii. apply scientific language effectively

iv. document the work of others and sources of information used.

Achievement level and level descriptor

0 The student does not reach a standard identified by any of the descriptors below.

1–2

The student is able to:

i. outline the ways in which science is used to address a specific problem or issue

ii. outline the implications of using science to solve a specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor

iii. apply scientific language to communicate understanding but does so with limited success

iv. document sources, with limited success.

3–4

The student is able to:

i. summarize the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue

ii. describe the implications of using science and its application to solve a specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor

iii. sometimes apply scientific language to communicate understanding

iv. sometimes document sources correctly.

5–6

The student is able to:

i. describe the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue

ii. discuss the implications of using science and its application to solve a specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor

iii. usually apply scientific language to communicate understanding clearly and precisely

iv. usually document sources correctly.

7–8

The student is able to:

i. explain the ways in which science is applied and used to address a specific problem or issue

ii. discuss and evaluate the implications of using science and its application to solve a specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor

iii. consistently apply scientific language to communicate understanding clearly and precisely

iv. document sources completely.