Ministerial Memo 142-07: The Complete Guide to High School English Quizzes & Tests
A clear, practical breakdown of official ministry rules for EFL quizzes, term tests, oral assessment, and semester grade calculation in Moroccan high schools.
Designing classroom quizzes and tests is one of the most confusing areas for Moroccan high school EFL teachers. Many colleagues ask: Can a short quiz test only grammar? Should every quiz look like a mini National Baccalaureate exam? What percentage belongs to oral performance and homework?
The official nationwide regulatory benchmark is Ministerial Memo No. 142-07 (مذكرة رقم 142-07), issued on November 16, 2007, by the Ministry of National Education for second foreign languages (English, Spanish, German, Italian). This guide provides a direct breakdown of the 1-or-2 component rule for short quizzes, operational testing rules, and the official Massar grade calculation formula. The full official Arabic ministerial circular is available for download below.
Qualifying High School
Common Core, 1st Bac, 2nd Bac
Ministerial Memo 142-07
Official Circular (PDF, 5 Pages)
Key Takeaway for Teachers
Under Note 142-07, short quizzes (15–30 min) must assess one component or at most two components. They must never combine all three areas (Comprehension + Language + Writing) in a single short quiz. The full 3-component format is reserved exclusively for the semester Global Term Test.
1. The Four Continuous Assessment Pillars & Weightings
According to page 3 of Memo 142-07, a student’s term mark is not determined solely by written exams, but divided across four distinct components:
Short Written Quizzes (الفروض الكتابية القصيرة المحروسة)
30% of Semester MarkAdministered at the end of each instructional unit (duration: 15 to 30 minutes). Focuses on one or at most two targeted areas (Reading/Listening, Language, or Writing).
Timing: End of every unit · Minimum 2 quizzes prior to the Global Test
Global Term Test (الفرض الكتابي الإجمالي المحروس)
30% of Semester MarkAdministered at the end of the semester (duration: 1 to 2 hours). A comprehensive exam that must cover all three components: Comprehension (Reading or Listening), Language, and Writing.
Timing: End of each semester
Oral Activities (الأنشطة الشفهية)
20% of Semester MarkAssesses functional spoken communication, fluency, and proper pronunciation. Includes classroom interaction, topic discussions, dialogues, role-plays, picture analysis, and oral presentations.
Timing: Evaluated continuously throughout the term
Homework & Independent Work (الواجبات المنزلية والأنشطة الموازية)
20% of Semester MarkFosters self-reliance and autonomous learning. Evaluates regular homework completion, prescribed research or group projects, extensive reading, notebook neatness, and student portfolios where available.
Timing: Tracked on a weekly basis
2. Short Quizzes: What to Include
⚠️ Essential Regulatory Rule: Memo 142-07 (Section 3, Page 4) states that a short quiz must contain one component or at most two components. A short quiz must never include all three components at once.
The three recognized components are:
1. Comprehension (Reading or Listening)
A short text or audio track with extraction, comprehension questions, summarising, or brief commentary.
2. Language
Grammar structures, contextual vocabulary, communicative functions, syntax, and spelling.
3. Written Expression
Guided sentence completions, short paragraphs, email responses, or free writing tasks.
Permitted Short Quiz Combinations:
Note: Short quizzes administered across the semester must collectively cover all three components before term end.
3. Operational Testing Directives for Teachers
No Textbook or Past Exam Copy-Pasting
Memo 142-07 strictly prohibits copying texts or exercises verbatim from designated textbooks (e.g., Spotlight, Outlook, Ticket to English) or from previous official exam papers. Texts and tasks must be adapted or newly created.
Pedagogical Logbook Documentation (Cahier Journal)
Every test topic, its comprehensive answer key (éléments de réponse), grading scale (barème), execution date, and duration must be recorded in the teacher’s official logbook.
Collective Correction & Remediation Sessions
A dedicated class period must be allotted for collective test correction. Teachers are required to record common errors and learning gaps in their logbook and carry out concrete remediation measures.
No Overlapping Administration
Never administer a short quiz in the same period as the Global Term Test. When it is time for the final comprehensive exam, drop the short quiz for that period.
4. Official Semester Grade Calculation Formula
The Mathematical Rule (Page 4)
Official Worked Example from the Memo:
Assume a student obtained the following grades across a semester:
- 3 Short Quizzes: 10/20, 14/20, and 12/20 → Quiz Average = 12/20
- Global Term Test: 16/20
- Combined Written Average: (12 + 16) ÷ 2 = 14/20
- Multiply Written Average by 3: 14 × 3 = 42
- Add Oral Mark (15/20) and Homework Mark (13/20): 42 + 15 + 13 = 70
- Divide by 5: 70 ÷ 5 = 14.00 / 20
Assessment Tips for Teachers
💡 Alternate Quiz Formats: Use Quiz 1 for Language (grammar & vocabulary), Quiz 2 for Reading Comprehension + Guided Writing, and Quiz 3 for Listening + Functions. This covers every required component smoothly without overwhelming students.
💡 Use a Transparent Oral Rubric: Share your oral assessment criteria (participation, dialogue fluency, preparedness) with students early in September so they know their continuous speaking grade is active every session.
💡 Log Everything in the Cahier Journal: Keep a clear record of quiz dates, skills evaluated, and correction dates in your official logbook. Educational inspectors check these records during class visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a short quiz contain only grammar and vocabulary?
Yes. Memo 142-07 allows short quizzes to test one component only (such as Language). However, subsequent quizzes during the semester must assess the remaining components (Comprehension and Writing).
Can I include reading, language, and writing together in a short quiz?
No. Memo 142-07 explicitly limits short quizzes to a maximum of two components. A 3-component test format is reserved only for the end-of-semester Global Term Test.
How is the final semester grade calculated in Massar?
Massar calculates the average of written exams (quizzes + global test) weighted at 60% (3/5), with oral participation at 20% (1/5) and homework/projects at 20% (1/5).
Where can I download the official Ministerial Memo?
The original 5-page ministerial document in Arabic is available directly through the download button below.
Official Memo Preview
Official Continuous Assessment Table (Page 3) showing weighting breakdown and required quiz components.
Download the official ministerial circular for your files.
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