Ministry sets new school assessment rules for 2026-27

The Ministry of National Education has published a circular setting out assessment rules for pupils in all three school cycles for 2026-27, Algérie 360 reported.

The changes mostly affect primary schools, because the curriculum for that cycle has changed. The circular, number 522, carries the date 24 October 2026.

It sets the rules for continuous assessment, supervised written tests (devoirs surveillés) and quarterly exams. Continuous assessment follows how pupils take part, interact and show initiative in class.

Primary schools

In first year, the General Directorate of Education uses qualitative descriptive observations and appraisals to assess what pupils have learned. First-year pupils move up automatically to second year. They must still attend school regularly during the year.

Continuous assessment also covers written, artistic and creative work, as well as practical performance. Primary pupils sit one quarterly exam per subject. Music education, visual arts and physical education are assessed only through continuous assessment.

In third year, English is assessed in the first term through qualitative descriptive observations that reflect basic skills. In fourth year, French and Tamazight follow the same approach in the first term. Assessment records have been updated on the ministry's digital platform.

Middle schools

Middle schools hold one supervised written test per subject each term. The school and its teaching team draw up a balanced timetable. Tests take place during a closed week, with no more than two a day.

Teachers correct the tests together with pupils, in class. Once the correction is finished, at least one week before the quarterly exams, teachers record marks and reasons in the continuous assessment book. They then inform parents of the results, with notes on orientation.

The criteria include discipline, attendance, participation, oral and written answers, homework, research projects and initiative. The circular sets the French exam at one and a half hours for all middle school levels. A test or exam mark cannot be used to mark continuous assessment activities.

Secondary schools

General and technological secondary schools use criteria close to those of middle schools. These cover discipline, citizenship, class activity, individual work, group work, initiative and creativity.

In science and technology subjects, assessment includes practical work. Pupils carry out laboratory experiments, use documentary research and run digital simulations. Virtual laboratories are used when real experiments are not possible.

For oral expression in languages, the criteria cover fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammatical accuracy. They also measure the ability to understand and take part in a dialogue. Study projects and reading are part of continuous assessment, and each receives a mark out of 20 with no coefficient.

Education directors will receive model records of mastery levels for first-year pupils later.