Term 3 Intermediate Phase Resources

This page contains your OPSA Term 3 Intermediate Phase assessment support documents for Grades 4–6. These resources are CAPS-aligned and are designed to help parents and tutor centres understand the assessment programme and prepare learners in a calm, structured way.

OPSA principle: We assess to learn; we do not learn to assess.

What you will find on this page

  • Term 3 Series A Assessment Programme (per grade): an overview of the assessment tasks, subtasks, mark allocation and assessment format for each subject. The programme clearly indicates which activities are written question papers and which are practical, oral, project or performance-based assessments.
  • Term 3 CAPS Scope of Work / Revision Guide (per grade): a CAPS-based guide showing the Term 3 knowledge and skills learners should revise for Home Language, First Additional Language, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, Social Sciences and Life Skills.

About the Term 3 Series A Assessment

OPSA does not conduct formal assessment throughout the term. Series A is therefore a structured end-of-Term 3 summative assessment designed to provide a representative assessment of the knowledge and skills covered during Term 3.

Intermediate Phase learners are assessed in:

  • Home Language – 100 marks
  • First Additional Language – 100 marks
  • Mathematics – 100 marks
  • Natural Sciences and Technology – 100 marks
  • Social Sciences – 100 marks
  • Life Skills – 100 marks

The complete Term 3 Series A assessment therefore totals 600 marks per learner.

How to use these resources

  1. Download the Term 3 Series A Assessment Programme for your learner's grade and read it first. It explains the assessment structure, subtasks, mark allocation and whether each activity is a written, oral, project or practical assessment.
  2. Download the Term 3 CAPS Scope of Work / Revision Guide and use it to identify the specific Term 3 knowledge and skills that should be revised before the assessment period.
  3. Use the learner's OPSA Term 3 activities as the main revision resource. Revise the work already completed during the term rather than attempting to relearn the entire year's curriculum immediately before assessment.
  4. Prepare for both written and practical assessment. Intermediate Phase assessment may include oral and reading activities, writing tasks, written question papers, projects, investigations, Creative Arts and Physical Education.
  5. Complete and upload the required Series A assessment activities on the OPSA LMS when the assessment window opens. These assessments are marked and form the basis of the learner's Term 3 report.

Important assessment information

  • Mathematics is assessed through one integrated Term 3 question paper.
  • Natural Sciences and Technology includes both written theory and a practical investigation or practical task.
  • Social Sciences includes both History and Geography. Depending on the grade, one of these components may be completed as a project.
  • Life Skills includes Personal and Social Well-being, Physical Education and Creative Arts.
  • Language comprehension texts may be new or unseen texts. Learners should revise reading and language skills rather than memorising specific passages or answers.

Practical tips for parents and tutors

  • Work in short, consistent revision sessions and revise one subject or skill area at a time.
  • Encourage learners to read aloud regularly, discuss what they have read and answer comprehension questions in full sentences.
  • Practise the prescribed Term 3 writing formats and encourage learners to plan, draft, edit and present their work neatly.
  • For Mathematics, practise calculations, problem-solving and reasoning, and encourage learners to show all working.
  • For Natural Sciences and Technology, revise key concepts, diagrams and practical investigation skills.
  • For Social Sciences, practise working with maps, pictures, graphs, source material and written explanations.
  • For projects and practical tasks, focus on understanding, process, independent work and clear presentation.
  • If your learner struggles with a section, revise the underlying concept first and then return to the Grade-level activity.

Remember

The purpose of the assessment is to determine what your learner has mastered during Term 3 and where additional support may still be required. The assessment should confirm learning—not become the purpose of learning.

We assess to learn; we do not learn to assess.

Need help?

If you need support, please log a ticket via the OPSA Support system so your query can be routed to the correct team member and tracked to completion: https://opsa-education.com/support

Intermediate Phase Term 2 / Intermediêre Fase Kwartaal 2