The importance of being examination ready

“A good athlete who is fit and has practiced over time can avoid injuries and achieve success by warming up properly in preparation for a competition. The same is true for someone who is going to write an exam. Hard work throughout the year and approaching the exams with the right preparation skills are required for success,” says Princess Bembe, AVBOB STEP 12 English Subject Advisor.

 In June 2023, AVBOB STEP 12 was launched as a nationwide language programme for Grade 12 learners, aimed at giving them a better idea of what to expect and helping them prepare for their Senior Certificate exams. Whether they need assistance with study notes or want to plan how best to manage their time during the exams, the AVBOB STEP 12 Examination Preparation Guides are tailormade for Grade 12 learners.

Beyond just passing the exams, the Examination Preparation Guides nurture proficiency in language and comprehension that will benefit learners long after they pass matric.

The AVBOB STEP 12 Examination Preparation Guides, supported by the Department of Basic Education, is an example of a public-private sector partnership that has been designed to empower not just matriculants but also supportive teachers and parents. The guides have been developed in collaboration with expert subject advisors, ensuring high-quality, Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS)-aligned material.

The Examination Preparation Guides cover all three language papers (in all 11 official written languages) and are available to download for FREE. The AVBOB STEP 12 website is zero-rated, which means downloading the guides and learning more about AVBOB STEP 12 will not use any data, which adds to the accessibility of this resource.

A series of videos answering Frequently Asked Questions are embedded on the AVBOB STEP 12 website. These videos, available in all 11 of South Africa’s official written languages, and offer useful information on exam readiness and advice on how learners can prepare for their   matric examinations.

Dr Adriaan Coetser, Subject Advisor in Chief of AVBOB STEP 12, shares, “Self-confidence is boosted by dedication and hard work throughout the academic year. Cramming the night before the exam is hardly going to deliver success. Most importantly is a positive attitude towards the exam, pretty much like an athlete visualising the finishing line and the subsequent victory. Only then can the learner enter the exam venue with self-confidence and calmness to focus on the paper.”

Examination preparation requires effort and hard work. The AVBOB STEP 12 Examination Preparation Guides are designed to support teachers and help ease learners’ stress regarding the exams by calmly and collectively equipping them with the relevant knowledge, skills and techniques. The AVBOB STEP 12 guides provide teachers and learners with information that can help learners realise their full potential.

In this regard, the AVBOB STEP 12 Examination Preparation Guides can play a significant role in helping learners achieve exam success. Download the AVBOB STEP 12 Examination Preparation Guides for FREE at www.avbobstep12.co.za. It is worth the effort!

Background: AVBOB STEP 12 programme

AVBOB launched AVBOB STEP 12, a nationwide language programme for Grade 12 learners and teachers, as a way of supporting our country’s educators so that they can focus on what they do best: inspiring young minds and guiding them towards success.

In total, 33 Examination Preparation Guides – each meticulously compliant with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) and written in accordance with the most recent Examination Guidelines – were made available at no cost to Grade 12 learners, teachers and interested parties.

Three guides were developed (one guide for each of the language examination papers) in all 11 official written languages to assist learners in preparing for the language examination papers. The guides are not designed as study guides, nor as examination guides (although they are in more than one way linked to these orientations), but as preparation guides – an aspect of assessment that is often neglected but is of crucial importance for learners to achieve their full potential. 

The AVBOB STEP 12 programme offers fresh ideas to make an even bigger impact on matric classes. Visit www.avbobstep12.co.za to download the guides for FREE.