A look at Malvern’s MYP eAssessments

In collaboration with Malvern College Hong Kong

Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK) is an IB World School located in Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, just adjacent to the Hong Kong Science Park. Following its successful launch in August 2018, the school continues to execute its ambitious growth strategy after having received the IB PYP, MYP and DP accreditation in the academic year 2020/21. With the primary and secondary classes now operating from Prep 1 (Year 1) to Lower Sixth (Year 12), the first cohort of Sixth Form pupils has commenced the two-year Diploma Programme in August 2021 and will sit for their final exams in Upper Sixth (Year 13) in May 2023 – culminating in the highly regarded IB Diploma, arguably one of the most admired high school qualifications worldwide.

“The move from Primary to Senior School is a major milestone in a child’s life and at Malvern College, we aim for the transition to be as seamless as possible. Whilst supporting the child’s expectations of what it is like to be a Senior School pupil, we familiarise them with the systems and structure of the Foundation Years,” says Mrs Maria Gebrial, Head of Prep. 

A little less known is the IB’s middle years education qualification: the MYP eAssessment, launched by the IB Organisation in 2016 as a leading innovation in the education sector, which can be obtained in Year 11 (or “Hundred” in Malvern language), the final MYP year. Aligned with today’s digital learning environment, it provides a relevant assessment experience for pupils while offering IB practitioners valuable insights into the Middle Years’ learning and teaching. The results, externally verified by the IB, serve as an alternative to state or national examinations and support applications for post-16 education.

“The MYP eAssessments not only allow for rigorous and internationally standardised assessments that allow for external validation of school results, but they also give pupils, parents and teachers an insight into future studies in the Diploma. The pupils’ experiences and achievements in the assessments also allow for a more informed pathway through their subject choices for the Diploma Programme and further education,” says Mr Wayne Maher, Acting Deputy Head and Head of Secondary. 

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MCHK recognises the importance of equipping Year 11 pupils with an externally standardized middle years certificate while embracing the modern, flexible and innovative nature of the MYP eAssessment. The transdisciplinary Personal Project serves as milestone performance where pupils investigate and present an area of their personal interest; the ePortfolio is an assisted performance, marked by classroom teachers, where pupils demonstrate their knowledge and skills across a range of subject groups; lastly, individual performance is measured in the externally assessed online exams. Being one out of only two schools in Hong Kong offering the eAssessment, MCHK saw in May 2021 the first (and entire!) cohort of Year 11 pupils sit the exams – with stellar results and a 100% pass rate. 

Feedback provided by Malvern pupils shows that the eAssessment is indeed an ideal preparation for the final two school years as the required study, organisation and critical thinking skills mirror those for the Diploma. “The eAssessment is really quite different from traditional, knowledge-based exams”, says Miguel who is enrolled for Lower Sixth (Year 12) in the academic year 2021/22. “In Science, for example, I had to design and evaluate a smartphone app related to earthquakes. The open-ended nature of this task gave me space for critical thinking and to adopt creative approaches as well as the autonomy to develop my own meaningful connections around the topic.” Fellow Malvernian Lyla agrees: “While traditional exams focus mainly on content, the eAssessment goes way beyond testing fact-based knowledge: in addition to content, we were also assessed in research, critical thinking, application and communication skills. This will definitely help me now that I am studying for the IB Diploma.” 

Furthermore, the MYP eAssessment informs pupils of the next step in their education journey. “The eAssessment highlighted areas for improvement, like time management and organisation skills. I will definitely work on these when preparing for the upcoming IB Diploma”, reflects Miguel. And Lyla adds: “The exam was a great opportunity to apply the skills and methods I have developed throughout my MYP years, but on a more challenging level. I learned that if I set myself a goal and stay determined, I can achieve great results! This new understanding of my strengths has supported me to stay motivated and committed at school, but most importantly, it has really helped me to believe in myself.”

Malvern has every reason to believe that their most senior year group will do well in the upcoming Diploma, given the extraordinary eAssessment results: Out of the highest possible score of 56 points, 60% of the pupils achieved 45 points or more, and 27% even 50 points or more. Malvern’s average score of 44 sits well above the world average of 38. Equally impressive is the fact that 47% of the pupils were awarded the Bilingual Certificate, studying both English and Chinese Language and Literature.

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Malvernians were also highly successful in the Personal Project with a pass rate of 100% and average of grade 5 (highest grade being 7), again comfortably surpassing the world average grade 3.9. With their strengthened positive mindset and self-belief, Malvern’s Lower Sixth cohort is certainly ready to start the long journey to the IB Diploma, and the school is confident that they can overcome all the challenges on the way to success.