What primary exams and assessments are
Primary exams and assessments are the competency-based tasks used to check what a learner in Playgroup, Pre-Primary or Grade 1–6 can actually do, using rubrics, observation and practical activities alongside written tests and homework. Under the CBC, assessment at this level is less about a single mark and more about describing a learner against clear performance levels for each skill – so a teacher, parent or learner can see exactly which area needs more support.
This page brings together the primary assessments from Playgroup through Grade 6 in one place. They serve as continuous-assessment tools, homework and practice tests, all following how the CBC assesses at each level. Use the class links below to open what you need, or the button at the bottom for the full primary collection.
How primary assessment works
At the youngest levels – Playgroup, PP1 and PP2 – assessment is observation-led and practical, because learning is play-based; the tasks check developing skills through activities rather than formal written tests. From Grade 1 upward, written assessment grows alongside the practical work, but the competency-based approach stays the same: each task maps to specific learning outcomes from the curriculum design, and a rubric describes performance from below expectations up to exceeding expectations. That's what makes these useful as ongoing classwork and homework, not just end-of-term tests – they show progress against skills a learner is building across the year.
Primary assessments by class
- Playgroup Assessments
- PP1 Assessments
- PP2 Assessments
- Grade 1 Assessments
- Grade 2 Assessments
- Grade 3 Assessments
- Grade 4 Assessments
- Grade 5 Assessments
- Grade 6 Assessments
Who these are for
- Teachers – ready-made continuous-assessment, homework and test material that matches CBC competency assessment for your class.
- Learners and home users – practice tasks and tests to work through; the youngest classes get practical, activity-based checks, the upper grades a mix of practical and written.
- Parents, and anyone downloading on a child's behalf (including from a cyber café or business centre) – primary assessments are specific to class, so confirm the child's class (Playgroup, PP1/PP2 or the grade) and match it to the links above before downloading.
- Researchers and education-sector readers – these are the CBC competency-based assessments for the primary and pre-primary phase, from Playgroup to Grade 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do primary assessments include? Competency-based tests, homework and continuous-assessment tasks tied to the CBC learning outcomes for each class – observation and practical checks at the youngest levels, and a growing share of written assessment from Grade 1 up.
Which classes are covered? Playgroup, PP1, PP2, and Grade 1 through Grade 6. Use the class links above to go straight to the one you need.
How are these different from secondary exams? Primary assessments are competency-based and rubric-led, describing what a learner can do. Secondary (Form 1–4) resources are 8-4-4 examination papers marked against a scheme. Choose based on the learner's level.
I'm downloading for a young child – what should I check? The class. For Playgroup and Pre-Primary especially, make sure you're opening the right level (Playgroup, PP1 or PP2), since the tasks differ by stage.
Looking for exams for another level?
This page covers primary and pre-primary (Playgroup–Grade 6). For Junior School (Grade 7–9), Senior School (Grade 10) and secondary 8-4-4 (Form 1–4), start from our Exams & Assessments hub, which links to every level.
Download the primary exams and assessments
The full primary assessments, for every class, are in our catalogue organised by class and learning area. Use the button below for the complete Playgroup–Grade 6 collection, or the class links above to go straight to the class you need.