In Cambodia, the exams fall under the responsibility of the rector of the Academy of Montpellier, who oversees the organization of the exams and delivers the national diplomas. The ‘Diplôme National du Brevet’ (DNB), attests to the knowledge and skills acquired at the end of middle school, and the “Baccalaureat” marks the end of secondary studies and opens access to higher education.
Exams
NATIONAL BREVET DIPLOMA (DNB)
The DNB is both an assessment and a certification of the the knowledge and skills acquired at the end of middle school. Results are based on continuous assessment and final exams.
Each subject is assessed in a separate test, except for science (two subjects), and an oral exam for students enrolled in a school. Objectives and common foundation The Brevet is a diploma attesting to the knowledge and skills acquired during middle school, and is awarded by a jury.
Access to high school is not conditioned upon obtaining the Brevet diploma. The common foundation of knowledge, skills and culture define the requirements each student should meet by the end of compulsory schooling. It sets out all the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed in school, in life and as a future citizen.
The DNB exams consist of four written and one oral exam for school candidates. These tests assess the level of proficiency in the Common Foundation. Homeschooled candidates sit for five written tests.
Exams
The written examinations are based on the cycle 4 curriculum. An oral exam on history of arts or on an interdisciplinary project.
1. French written test Duration of the test
Duration 3 hours
Candidates are presented with a literary text, which may be supplemented with an image.
The total of 100 points are weighted as follows:
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- Literary text, which may be supplemented with an image (50 points – 1 h 10 minutes):
- Grammar and language skills: questions to assess language skills and mastery of grammar as well as a redrafting exercise.
- Comprehension test Dictation (10 points – 20 minutes) of approximately 600 characters. Writing task (40 points – 1 h 30 minutes): candidates choose from two topics.
2. Written math test
Duration of the test: 2 hours
The exercises are based on the cycle 4 mathematics curriculum and include mastery of the following skills: “search”, “model”, “represent”, “reason”, “calculate” and “communicate”.
The test includes a compulsory algorithmic exercise (programming). The test is scored out of 100 points.
3. Written examination of history – geography – moral and civic education Duration of the test: 2 hours
The test scored out of 50 points consists in three exercises:
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- Exercise 1. Analysing and understanding documents in history or geography (20 points)
- Exercise 2. Mastering the language of reasoning and the use historical and geographic landmarks (20 points)
- Exercise 3. Mobilising skills in moral and civic education (10 points)
4. Written test in physics-chemistry, life and earth sciences, technology, known as the “science test”
Duration of the test: twice thirty minutes, i.e. 1 hour
Only two of the three possible subjects are evaluated at each session. The test is scored out of 50 points.
5. Oral defense
Duration of the test: 15 minutes
The candidate presents an art history topic or one of the projects carried out during the cycle 4 interdisciplinary practical lessons in one of the following domains: Career guidance, Civics, health education, Arts and Culture.
This oral test is a defense: its purpose is to assess the candidate’s ability to present knowledge and skills acquired in several subjects.
Candidates can choose to take the test individually or in groups (maximum of three candidates) but are assessed individually. The candidate’s presentation (5 minutes) is followed by an interview with the jury (10 minutes). In the case of a group presentation, a 10 minute presentation is followed by a 15 minute discussions between the jury and the whole group; each candidate is subject to an individual assessment.
The test is scored out of 100 points: Proficiency in oral expression (50 points) Mastery of the subject presented (50 points)
French general-track Baccalaureat
Created in 1808, the Baccalauréat is awarded by the French Ministry of Education. This diploma represents the successful completion of secondary education and enables its bearer to pursue higher education.
As of 2021, the general-track baccalaureate is assessed in two ways:
– continuous assessment (40% of the final grade): grades obtained throughout 11th and 12th grade (10%), and the average obtained in national assessments (30%);
– Final exams (60% of the final mark). Retake exams are assessed orally.
THE NEW BACCALAUREAT:
• Promotes consistency in studies
• Provides greater career guidance
• Prepares for higher education
Certifications
Cambridge English Certificate (CEC)
The English test carried out in collaboration with the French Ministry of Education.
The Cambridge English Qualifications for Schools have been created specifically for children and adolescents with themes and exercises corresponding to their interests and abilities. With Cambridge English, students from 7 years old can improve English confidently and serenely and stay motivated thanks to diplomas that certify their progress throughout schooling. The preparation for the Cambridge English for Schools exams supplements the English teaching provided by the French Ministry of Education.
By offering preparation for Cambridge English exams, schools have access to a full range of preparation resources and materials. We also support teachers in their professional development, with our teaching qualifications.
Spanish
In Cambodia, the LFRD is the only exam center for DELE, an official, internationally recognised Spanish Foreign Language diploma. Our exam center allow students to obtain certifications in Spanish for the CEFR A1 to C2 levels. These certifications are valid for life and are intended for all those who wish to validate a diploma.
The tests encompass the following skill sets: Reading comprehension, written comprehension and interaction, oral expression and interaction and listening comprehension. Examinations are specifically aimed at students: A1 – B1 for schools. It is howeverto register at the level of your choice. The LFRD usually offers one exam session per year, in May.
Click here to consult the Cervantes Institute’s DELE webpage.
Feel free to contact us for more information.
Mandarin
The HSK exam (or 汉语 水平 考试 Hànyŭ Shuĭpíng Kăoshì) is designed and certified by the 汉 办 Hànbàn, which is part of the Chinese Ministry of Education.
This test assesses language proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, aims to become the international benchmark. Obtaining this certificate is sometimes a prerequisite for admission to a Chinese university.
There are six HSK levels overall.
- HSK 1 and 2 assess oral (听力 tīnglì) and written comprehension (阅读 yuèdú).
- Levels 3 to 6 also cover a writing exam (写作 xiĕzuò).
In recent years, candidates have also been able to register for the HSKK which assesses oral expression.
This exam is divided into three levels (初级 chūjí beginner, 中级 zhōngjí intermediate and 高级 gāojí advanced). The LFRD is not an examination center for the HSK, but students can take the exams in Phnom Penh, at the International Chinese Education and Teachers Institute (柬埔寨 国际 中文 教育 与 教师 教育 学院 Jiănpŭzhài Guójì Zhōngwén yŭ jiàoshī xuéyuàn ).
The exam registration procedures will be published during the school year 2021-2022. Please feel free to contact the LFRD Chinese team for more information. Ms. Maria Chiara MAZZA: maria-chiara.mazza@lfrd.net (français, english) Ms. Daisy WEI: daisy.wei@lfrd.net (english, 中文)
The HSK exam (or 汉语 水平 考试 Hànyŭ Shuĭpíng Kăoshì) is designed and certified by the 汉 办 Hànbàn, which is part of the Chinese Ministry of Education.
This test assesses language proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, aims to become the international benchmark. Obtaining this certificate is sometimes a prerequisite for admission to a Chinese university.
There are six HSK levels overall.
- HSK 1 and 2 assess oral (听力 tīnglì) and written comprehension (阅读 yuèdú).
- Levels 3 to 6 also cover a writing exam (写作 xiĕzuò).
In recent years, candidates have also been able to register for the HSKK which assesses oral expression.
This exam is divided into three levels (初级 chūjí beginner, 中级 zhōngjí intermediate and 高级 gāojí advanced). The LFRD is not an examination center for the HSK, but students can take the exams in Phnom Penh, at the International Chinese Education and Teachers Institute (柬埔寨 国际 中文 教育 与 教师 教育 学院 Jiănpŭzhài Guójì Zhōngwén yŭ jiàoshī xuéyuàn ).
The exam registration procedures will be published during the school year 2021-2022. Please feel free to contact the LFRD Chinese team for more information. Ms. Maria Chiara MAZZA: maria-chiara.mazza@lfrd.net (français, english) Ms. Daisy WEI: daisy.wei@lfrd.net (english, 中文)
