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About ICAS
- 2010 Competition and Assessment Dates
The schedule for 2010 ICAS is now available.
- How To Enter
Find out how to enter the ICAS.
- FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions about ICAS.
International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)
The International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) formerly the International Competitions for Schools are produced by the Educational Assessment Australia (EAA), a not-for-profit organisation wholly owned by the University of New South Wales.
The ICAS form the largest independent assessment program for schools in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, India and the Pacific region with more than 2.0 million entries.
The ICAS are now held in Malaysia each year and have expanded in subject coverage and year levels and now include:
Critical thinking, reasoning and problem solving are essential higher order skills for success in school as well as in the wider community. The material presented in the ICAS reflects this importance, providing the opportunity for students to perform a range of tasks using these and other skills. The competitions cater for a wide range of student abilities using contexts that stimulate students interest and engage their attention.
The content of most competition test papers is not based on any particular school curriculum, but on skills essential for success in various subjects at school and beyond. The competition results provide valuable diagnostic information that can be used to assess student strengths and weaknesses and to assist with the preparation of appropriate learning experiences.
Students at all levels of competency benefit from participation in the competitions.
Results
All students receive a diagnostic report on their performance.
Schools receive valuable statistics which will enable them to compare their students performance with the rest of their country.
Awards
Medals are awarded to the top student(s) in each school year in Malaysia at the discretion of EAA.
Certificates suitable for inclusion in a portfolio are awarded to all participants. Students who sit the intermediate or senior papers will receive an endorsement on their certificate to indicate which of the Computer Literacy or Computer Science modules they attempted.
Certificates are awarded on the following basis:
- High Distinction (to the top 1% of entrants in each year level in Malaysia)
- Distinction (to the next 10% of entrants in each year level in Malaysia)
- Credit (to the next 20% of entrants in each year level in Malaysia)
- Participation (to all students who did not qualify for one of the above certificates.)
Eligibility for awards
Candidates must be supervised as for an external examination. Neither the supervisor, nor any invigilator, should be a person who may have a conflict of interest such as a family member, relative or related party. Candidates must have participated in the competition on the official date to be eligible for the award of a medal.
In special circumstances, permission may be given to participate in the competition on an alternative date. In this case, students will receive certificates but they will not be eligible to receive a medal.
Medals are awarded when a top score is judged to be sufficiently meritorious.
To be eligible for a medal, students must sit only the paper for the school grade/level in which they are currently enrolled.
To ensure the integrity of the Competition, EAA reserves the right to investigate any factors which may have affected student performance and eligibility for awards.
- Medal winners for 2009 International Competitions for Schools
- List of participating schools in the 2009 International Competitions for Schools