DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETENCY-BASED ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS AND
MARKING SCHEME
Introduction
The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasizes the development of learners’ knowledge,
skills, values, and attitudes through learner-centred teaching and assessment approaches.
Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) focuses on measuring learners’ ability to apply
knowledge and skills in real-life situations rather than merely recalling facts. This assessment
instrument has been designed in line with the principles of CBC and CBA to assess learners’
mastery of competencies in Physics.
Assessment Information
Institution: Millar Institution of Learning
Subject: Physics
Grade/Form: Form 1
Topic: Introduction to Physics
Subtopics:
Laboratory Safety
Waste Management
Apparatus in Physics
Fundamental Concepts of Physics
Scientific Methods
Competencies to be Assessed
By the end of the assessment, learners should be able to:
1. Practise laboratory safety procedures correctly.
2. Apply waste management principles in the physics laboratory.
3. Identify and use common physics apparatus correctly.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts and branches of physics.
5. Apply scientific methods in investigating and solving problems.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in practical situations.
Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Total Marks: 50
COMPETENCY-BASED ASSESSMENT TEST
Instructions
1. Answer all questions.
2. Read each question carefully before answering.
3. Show all working where necessary.
4. The test consists of Sections A, B and C.
SECTION A: OBJECTIVE RESPONSE QUESTIONS (10 MARKS)
Choose the correct answer from the alternatives provided.
1. Which of the following is a laboratory safety rule?
A. Running in the laboratory
B. Following safety instructions
C. Eating during experiments
D. Playing with apparatus
(1 mark)
2. Which item is classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
A. Ruler
B. Goggles
C. Calculator
D. Notebook
(1 mark)
3. Broken glass should be disposed of in:
A. A wastepaper basket
B. A special glass disposal container
C. The sink
D. The classroom bin
(1 mark)
4. Which apparatus is used for measuring length?
A. Thermometer
B. Balance
C. Metre rule
D. Measuring cylinder
(1 mark)
5. Physics is the study of:
A. Living organisms
B. Matter, energy and their interactions
C. Plants only
D. Historical events
(1 mark)
6. Which branch of physics deals with heat and temperature?
A. Electronics
B. Mechanics
C. Thermodynamics
D. Optics
(1 mark)
7. Observation is an important stage in:
A. Scientific investigation
B. Story writing
C. Singing
D. Drawing
(1 mark)
8. Which of the following is biodegradable?
A. Plastic bottle
B. Glass bottle
C. Banana peel
D. Metal can
(1 mark)
9. A thermometer measures:
A. Volume
B. Length
C. Temperature
D. Mass
(1 mark)
10. Which behaviour demonstrates safe laboratory practice?
A. Following instructions
B. Running around
C. Eating food
D. Throwing objects
(1 mark)
Total: 10 Marks
SECTION B: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS (20 MARKS)
11. State four laboratory safety rules that learners must observe in a physics laboratory.
(4 marks)
12. Explain two reasons why laboratory safety is important.
(4 marks)
13. Classify the following materials as biodegradable or non-biodegradable:
a) Plastic bottle
b) Banana peel
c) Broken glass
d) Paper
(4 marks)
14. Name the apparatus used to measure the following:
a) Temperature
b) Length
c) Volume of a liquid
d) Mass
(4 marks)
15. Describe the following stages of the scientific method:
a) Observation
b) Experimentation
c) Data Analysis
d) Conclusion
(4 marks)
Total: 20 Marks
SECTION C: EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTIONS (20 MARKS)
16. Practical Problem-Solving Scenario
During a practical lesson, a learner enters the laboratory without protective clothing,
leaves broken glass on the floor, and pours chemical waste into a sink without
permission.
Required:
a) Identify three mistakes made by the learner.
(3 marks)
b) Explain one possible consequence of each mistake.
(3 marks)
c) Suggest four correct actions the learner should have taken.
(4 marks)
Total: 10 Marks
17. Case Study
A science club wishes to investigate why some plants in the school garden grow faster
than others.
a) Explain how the learners can use the scientific method to conduct the investigation.
(6 marks)
b) Evaluate the importance of collecting and analysing data before drawing conclusions.
(4 marks)
Total: 10 Marks
MARKING SCHEME
SECTION A
1. B
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. A
(1 mark each = 10 marks)
SECTION B
Question 11 (4 Marks)
Any four correct responses:
Wear protective clothing.
Follow teacher instructions.
Do not run in the laboratory.
Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
Report accidents immediately.
Handle apparatus carefully.
Award 1 mark for each correct rule.
Question 12 (4 Marks)
Any two explained points:
Prevents accidents and injuries (2 marks)
Protects laboratory equipment (2 marks)
Promotes effective learning (2 marks)
Protects the environment (2 marks)
Question 13 (4 Marks)
Plastic bottle – Non-biodegradable (1)
Banana peel – Biodegradable (1)
Broken glass – Non-biodegradable (1)
Paper – Biodegradable/Recyclable (1)
Question 14 (4 Marks)
Thermometer (1)
Metre rule (1)
Measuring cylinder (1)
Balance (1)
Question 15 (4 Marks)
Observation – Identifying a problem (1)
Experimentation – Conducting tests (1)
Data Analysis – Interpreting results (1)
Conclusion – Making findings based on evidence (1)
SECTION C
Question 16 (10 Marks)
(a) Mistakes
No protective clothing
Leaving broken glass on the floor
Improper disposal of chemical waste
(1 mark each = 3 marks)
(b) Consequences
Physical injury
Contamination
Environmental damage
Laboratory accidents
(Any three × 1 mark = 3 marks)
(c) Correct Actions
Wear PPE
Dispose of broken glass properly
Follow teacher instructions
Use designated waste containers
Report hazards immediately
(Any four × 1 mark = 4 marks)
Question 17 (10 Marks)
(a) Scientific Method
Observation – 1 mark
Hypothesis – 1 mark
Experiment design – 1 mark
Data collection – 1 mark
Data analysis – 1 mark
Conclusion – 1 mark
Total = 6 marks
(b) Rubric for Evaluation
Excellent (4 marks)
Provides a detailed explanation showing how data collection and analysis improve
accuracy, validity, and reliability of conclusions.
Good (3 marks)
Provides a clear explanation with minor omissions.
Satisfactory (2 marks)
Provides a basic explanation with limited detail.
Poor (1 mark)
Provides a vague or incomplete explanation.
No response (0 marks)
ALIGNMENT MATRIX
Learning Outcome Competency Assessment Item(s) Marks
Demonstrate laboratory Practise safety 1,2,3,10,11,12,16 25
safety procedures
Apply waste management Manage 8,13,16 8
principles laboratory waste
responsibly
Identify and use apparatus Use scientific 4,9,14 6
equipment
correctly
Understand physics concepts Demonstrate 5,6 2
conceptual
understanding
Apply scientific methods Conduct 7,15,17 9
investigations
systematically
Solve practical problems Demonstrate 16,17 10
critical thinking
and evaluation
BLOOM'S TAXONOMY COVERAGE
Remembering: Questions 1–10
Understanding: Questions 11–15
Applying: Questions 13–16
Analysing: Question 16
Evaluating: Question 17(b)
Creating/Synthesising: Question 17(a)
Conclusion
This competency-based assessment instrument has been designed in accordance with the
principles of the Competency-Based Curriculum and Competency-Based Assessment. The
assessment integrates knowledge, practical skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-life
application of scientific concepts. Furthermore, the marking scheme, scoring criteria, and rubric
ensure validity, reliability, fairness, and transparency in the assessment of learner competencies.