Continuous Assessment (CASS) is an important part of South Africa’s basic education system. It ensures that learners are assessed regularly according to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) curriculum. CASS marks are especially important in Grade 12, when learners write their matric exams.
The final matric marks are based on School-Based Assessments (SBA) and final exams. The SBA contributes 25% to the final mark, while the final exams make up 75%. The marks earned from CASS tasks form part of the SBA.
In this article, we will explore how to calculate the CASS mark, how it impacts the matric exams, and tips for improving the scores.
Table of Contents
What is CASS?
Understanding the CASS mark meaning is important for Grade 12 learners because these marks affect their final matric results. CASS includes regular assessments that teachers mark internally to measure how well learners understand the curriculum. Learners must prepare carefully and aim to achieve high marks in these assessments.
CASS encourages continuous learning. When learners work consistently on their assignments and projects, they master smaller sections of the syllabus instead of trying to study everything at once. This approach also helps them identify and solve learning difficulties early.
CASS includes two types of assessment:
Informal assessment:
- Involves daily monitoring of learner progress through observation and class participation.
- Takes place during lessons through discussions or interactions.
- Does not need to be formally recorded.
Formal assessment:
- Includes structured tasks such as tests, projects, and oral presentations.
- Follows specific guidelines set by the school and DBE.
- Teachers mark and record these results to track learner progress throughout the year.
CASS and Its Contribution to the Final NSC Mark
Continuous Assessment score makes up 25% of the final matric mark. Students need to perform well in these school assessments to achieve good results.
CASS assignments differ for each subject, depending on the topic and the curriculum. Teachers grade each assignment separately, and the marks are added up to form the final CASS score for that subject. This CASS mark then combines with the matric exam score to calculate the final result.
Life Orientation relies completely on CASS marks. It is the only matric subject that is 100% internally assessed, with no final written exam.
CASS is also important in practical subjects like Dramatic Arts and Dance Studies. In these subjects, practical projects form part of the school assessment marks, helping students develop their skills and apply what they have learnt.
Overall, CASS helps teachers and students track progress throughout the year. It shows how well students understand the work and highlights areas that need improvement.
What are the Components of CASS in Matric?
CASS (Continuous Assessment) in matric includes different types of assessments that measure a student’s understanding of each subject. These tasks are based on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Each subject has its own set of CASS components that contribute to 25% of the final matric mark.
Here are the main components of CASS in matric:
Tests and Exams
Tests and exams are key components of the CASS mark. They help teachers measure how well students understand their subjects throughout the year. Here are the main points about tests and exams:
- Tests take place regularly and cover small sections of the syllabus.
- Mid-year exams are internally marked and count towards the CASS mark.
- Final matric exams are externally marked and make up the remaining 75% of the final score.
Assignments and Projects
Assignments and projects assess how well students understand and apply what they learn. The following are the key features of these assessments:
- Assignments are short, take-home tasks that test knowledge and problem-solving skills.
- In subjects such as Mathematics, assignments often involve solving problems.
- In subjects like Life Sciences, they test application-based understanding.
- Projects are longer tasks that may be individual or group-based and assess deeper learning.
Practical Work
Practical work allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real tasks. The following are the main purposes of practical assessments:
- They test whether students can use concepts in real-life situations.
- Practical assessments are essential in science and technical subjects.
- They help students connect theory with practice.
Orals and Presentations
Oral and presentation tasks test communication skills. Given below are the key points about this component:
- These are vital for subjects like Languages, Dramatic Arts, and Life Orientation.
- They assess how well students can speak, listen, and present ideas clearly.
- Life Orientation relies entirely on these internal assessments, as it has no final written exam.
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What is the Importance of CASS in Matric?
CASS is an important part of the matric year because it tracks a student’s progress throughout the year. It keeps students focused on learning small sections of work instead of studying the whole syllabus before the final exams.
Preparing for CASS also helps students build good study habits. They can plan a timetable, set goals, and complete their tasks on time. This makes managing all CASS assessments easier.
Here are some key benefits of CASS:
- Students can fix their mistakes early based on their CASS scores.
- Teachers can adjust their teaching methods if many learners perform poorly.
- Strong CASS performance can raise the final matric score.
- Students stay consistent with their studies throughout the year.
- Continuous preparation reduces pressure before the final exams.
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How is CASS Marked and Moderated?
CASS (Continuous Assessment) is marked and moderated according to the rules set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). All assessments are designed and marked internally by teachers, following the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) guidelines for each subject. Let us look at the marking and moderation process:
Marking process:
The marking process ensures that teachers assess students fairly and follow DBE standards. Given below are the key steps in the marking process:
- Teachers mark learners’ work based on clear rubrics and marking memoranda provided by the DBE.
- The marks for tests, projects, assignments, and oral work are recorded on the school’s assessment record sheets.
- Each subject has a set number of formal assessment tasks that must be completed and marked during the year.
Moderation process:
The moderation process checks that CASS marking is fair and consistent across schools. The following are the main steps in the moderation process:
- Moderation ensures that marking is fair, consistent, and aligned with national standards.
- The Head of Department (HOD) moderates a sample of learners’ work within the school.
- District and provincial education officials conduct external moderation to verify that schools are following DBE guidelines.
- Moderation checks that the difficulty level, marking accuracy, and weighting of tasks are appropriate.
Through marking and moderation, the DBE ensures that all schools apply the same assessment standards, maintaining the credibility and fairness of the final matric results.
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How to Calculate CASS Mark?
Calculating your CASS mark helps you understand how your continuous assessments contribute to your final matric score. Knowing the steps makes it easier to track your progress and see where you can improve. The following are the steps to calculate your CASS mark:
Step 1: Know the CASS components
CASS usually includes tasks such as:
- Tests and exams
- Assignments or projects
- Practical work (for certain subjects)
- Class participation or oral presentations
Your teacher will provide the weighting for each component. For example:
- Test: 50% of CASS
- Assignment: 30% of CASS
- Oral/practical: 20% of CASS
Step 2: Convert your scores to percentages
Make sure each task is expressed as a percentage. Examples:
- Test: 40/50 → (40 ÷ 50) × 100 = 80%
- Assignment: 25/30 → (25 ÷ 30) × 100 ≈ 83.33%
Oral/practical: 18/20 → (18 ÷ 20) × 100 = 90%
Step 3: Apply the weightings
Multiply each percentage by its weighting (as a decimal). Examples:
- Test: 80 × 0.5 = 40
- Assignment: 83.33 × 0.3 ≈ 25
- Oral/practical: 90 × 0.2 = 18
Step 4: Add them up
- Add all the weighted scores: 40 + 25 + 18 = 83
- This gives your CASS mark: 83%
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Tips for Improving CASS Marks
CASS marks play an important role in the final matric score. Therefore, students should focus on performing well throughout the year. Consistent effort can help improve results and understanding.
Here are some educational tips to improve CASS marks:
- Study regularly and revise lessons after each topic.
- Submit well-prepared assignments that show a clear understanding of the content.
- Ask teachers for feedback and clarify any doubts early.
- Take part actively in all practical, oral, and group assessments.
- Stay organised and follow a study timetable to manage deadlines.
Read on How Are Matric Final Marks Calculated in South Africa
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Conclusion
Matric exams play a key role in shaping a student’s academic future in South Africa. However, students should also pay attention to the other factors that influence their final results. Since CASS contributes 25% to the overall matric score, consistent effort throughout the year can make a real difference in final outcomes.
Students who take their CASS assessments seriously and show a solid understanding of each subject can strengthen both their knowledge and their marks.
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Importance of CASS Marks in the Matric Exams – FAQ
What is a CASS mark?
A CASS mark (Continuous Assessment System) tracks a student’s understanding through regular assessments. It counts for 25% of the final matric score, except for Life Orientation, which is fully internally assessed.
How to calculate CASS mark for Grade 12?
CASS marks are calculated using a CASS mark formula. Each task is converted to a percentage, weighted, and added together. Students can follow a CASS calculation guide to determine their overall score.
What types of assessments are included in CASS?
CASS includes tests, assignments or projects, practical work (for some subjects), and oral or presentation tasks. Each is weighted to contribute to the final CASS mark.
What is the difference between informal and formal assessment?
Informal assessments track daily participation and classwork without recording marks. Formal assessments, like tests, projects, and presentations, are marked and recorded to track progress.
What can students do to improve their CASS marks?
Students can improve CASS marks by studying regularly, submitting quality work, seeking feedback, and actively participating in all assessments. Staying organised helps meet deadlines.
What happens if a student performs poorly in matric exams but has good CASS marks?
High CASS marks can offset weaker exam results, improving the overall matric score. Consistent effort throughout the year helps maintain steady performance.
