Pupil assessment

The method of ongoing assessment of learning outcomes is determined in accordance with the specifics of the module/subject, as well as its volume and duration. Current evaluation tools may include oral questioning, written assignments, essays and projects, interviews, portfolios, computer-assisted assessment, etc., and are established by the teaching staff at the beginning of the academic year.

Teachers and instructors, including dual education instructors, are required to record the group's average grade for the module and/or discipline in accordance with current legislation. Pupil assessment is based solely on the evaluation of their learning outcomes. 

The number of current grades/assessments given to each pupil during a semester can be equal to the weekly number of hours but not less than three. It is recommended to diversify the forms of ongoing evaluation throughout the semester.

Ongoing evaluation of learning outcomes is done with grades from "10" to "1" and, where applicable, with the rating "excellent", "very good", "good", "satisfactory", "unsatisfactory", "pass" and "fail." A learning outcome is considered failed if it is graded below "5" or receives the qualifications "unsatisfactory" or "fail."

At the end of each professional training module, summative evaluation is conducted through written tests and practical exams, using the hours allocated to the respective module. Summative evaluation topics are developed based on the following criteria: 

a) alignment with the curriculum provisions for the trade/profession/discipline/module; 

b) relevance to the material studied during the evaluation period; 

c) appropriate complexity relative to the studied content, structured on taxonomic levels; 

d) alignment of the number and complexity of topics with the allocated time limit.

In applying summative evaluations, teachers are responsible for developing the evaluation tools: the content of the evaluation test, the specification matrix, the correction key, and the point-to-grade conversion scheme.

The final module grade is calculated as the arithmetic average of the grade obtained in the summative evaluation, the average grade for theoretical training (TT), and the average mark for practical training (PT), calculated to two decimal places, by truncation, according to the following formula: Current average = TT average grade * 0.5 + PT average grade * 0.5. Final module average = Current average * 0.5 + summative assessment grade * 0.5, provided that each of these is awarded at least a '5'.

For general culture/optional disciplines, evaluation is conducted in accordance with current normative acts related to the evaluation of these disciplines. Semester theses in general culture disciplines are held in the last two weeks of the semester, only in groups studying the related trades, according to the schedule approved by the secondary VET institution, but not more than one exam per day for the same group of pupils. Semester exams are not allowed to be held during the last lesson of the semester.

Semester exams in general culture disciplines are organised according to the conditions established by the Ministry of Education and Research. Learning outcomes achieved during production practice are evaluated by the master instructor.

At the end of each semester, the teaching staff is obligated to finalize the pupils' academic records. The semester average is calculated to two decimal places, by truncation, as the average of current marks.

For conducting summative evaluations, consultation hours up to 1% of the total hours allocated to disciplines/modules in the Curriculum Plan may be granted. The number of consultation hours is assigned per group and distributed across study years, corresponding to the number of hours in the Curriculum.

Progression of pupils

Progression of pupils is conducted at the end of the school year by an order issued by the director, based on the decision of the teaching council. 

Pupils who, at the end of the academic year, obtain at least the grade "5" or the "admitted" qualification in each subject of the respective year's curriculum are declared promoted. 

The general average is calculated only for promoted pupils. For pupils with academic debts or deferred status, it is calculated after they pass the subjects in which they were behind or deferred.

Pupils who receive grades below "5" or "fail" qualification in up to three subjects are declared as having failed the respective semester or academic year. For this category of students, retake sessions are organised within the first 10 days after the winter holiday and between September 1-10 of each academic year.

Pupils who, for justified reasons confirmed by supporting documents, did not attend the exam session within the established deadlines are declared postponed. For these pupils, deadlines for the postponed session are set by order.

An early promotion session is established upon request for pupils who have completed 85% of the study material but, for justified reasons confirmed by supporting documents, cannot attend the examination session.

In the case of module-based curriculum instruction, each module concludes with an evaluation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The curriculum provides a specific number of hours at the end of each module for evaluating theoretical knowledge through written tests and practical skills through practical tests/tasks.

In the event of justified/unjustified absences for a particular module, the pupil cannot be promoted to the next module. In this situation, the pupil attends the next module but is considered a repeater. The institution provides conditions for clearing academic arrears.

The pupil can dispute the grade received in written exams within 24 hours of the grade being communicated, by submitting a request to the director. The director of the educational institution approves the re-examination of at most two subjects from the same academic year, in order to increase the grade in the current exam session.

If the pupil was not awarded a higher grade, the previously received grade remains in effect. The re-examination to increase the grade cannot be repeated. The committee that will reevaluate the knowledge of the respective pupil is made up of teachers who teach the respective course. 

Certification

In Moldova, according to the Code of Education, the secondary technical vocational education programmes conclude with the qualification exam. Upon passing this exam, a Qualification certificate (Certificat de calificare) and the Qualification Certificate Supplement, according to Europass, are issued.Upon request, the graduate is issued the professional standard which is a brief overview of the study programme. The descriptive supplement to the qualification certificate is valid only attached to the study certificate.

According to the Instruction On The Automated Customization, Issuance, Record-Keeping, And Retention Of Study Documents In Technical Vocational Education, the certificates are issued in Romanian and English languages, for a fee by the vocational institution where the pupil studied, on blanks elaborated and approved by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova. 

The following information is indicated in the certificate: series and number, registration number, issue date, the name and location of the education institution, profile, graduation year, name, surname and date of birth of the pupil, the results of final exams/ transcript of the obtained grades, space for titular signature, space for signature of the President of the Graduation Committee, institution director, and didactic staff.

The qualification certificate allows for integration into the workforce according to the obtained qualification, as well as the continuation of studies in theoretical lyceums and/or post-secondary technical vocational education programmes, depending on the previous level of preparation achieved in the educational programmes completed, under the conditions set by the Ministry of Education and Research.

The assessment, grading and certification of qualifications by educational level, as well as documents certifying qualifications by educational level, is described by the National Register of Qualifications.