BIOLOGY FORM TWO NECTA EXAM FORMAT 2026 ~ FTN 2026
FOREWORD
The Form Two National Assessment (FTNA) plays an essential role in evaluating students’ educational progress at the Ordinary Secondary Level in Tanzania.
This booklet presents the formats for the FTNA for General Education Stream, which will be assessed with effect from 2026.
The formats are designed to align with the 2023 syllabi issued by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) with effect from 2025.
These formats signify a pivotal shift from content-based assessment to a competence based approach, focusing on the Education and Training Policy of 2014 and the Curriculum for Ordinary Secondary Education Form I – IV of 2023 (General Education).
This shift ensures that the assessment not only measures academic knowledge but also evaluates students’ ability to apply learned concepts, communicate and collaborate, engage in critical thinking, and demonstrate practical skills in various real-life situations.
The comprehensive assessment structure outlined is aimed at nurturing well-rounded learners equipped with the essential skills for further education and life beyond school.
The format for each subject includes an introduction, main competences, an assessment rubric, competencies to be assessed, and a Table of Specifications.
BIOLOGY FORM TWO NECTA EXAM FORMAT 2026 ~ FTN 2026
Generally, this format booklet is expected to provide guidance to examination setters, moderators and teachers in setting fair, valid and reliable assessments for students. Moreover, the format provides guidance to students on the structure of the assessment paper.
However, classroom teachers are strongly cautioned not to replace the syllabus with the presented assessment formats.
The National Examinations Council of Tanzania (NECTA) remains committed to its mission of delivering credible and holistic assessments that contribute to the nation’s education excellence.
033 BIOLOGY
(For Both School and Private Students)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This Biology format for the Form Two National Assessment is derived from the Biology Syllabus for Ordinary Secondary Education 2023 issued by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE). This Format focuses on the competences acquired by students at Form One and Two levels. The format emphasises a comprehensive evaluation of higher-order thinking skills and practical skills as highlighted in the current syllabus.
2.0 MAIN COMPETENCES
The assessment will test the students’ ability to:
2.1 demonstrate mastery of the concepts, principles and processes of Biology;
2.2 communicate using scientific biological terminologies; and
2.3 conduct biological investigations.
3.0 ASSESSMENT RUBRIC
The assessment will consist of one (1) theory paper lasting 2:30 hours. For students with special needs, the duration of the assessment will be 2:55 hours. The paper will consist of sections A, B and C, with a total of 10 questions. The student will be required to answer all the questions. The paper will carry a total of 100 marks.
Section A will comprise two (2) objective questions. Question 1 will be a multiple-choice question, consisting of 10 items, each carrying one (1) mark, totalling 10 marks. Question 2 will be a matching item question, consisting of five (5) items, each carrying one (1) mark, making a total of five (5) marks. Therefore, the section will carry a total of 15 marks.
Section B will have seven (7) short-answer questions. Each question will carry 10 marks, making a total of 70 marks.
Section C will have one (1) essay question, carrying 15 marks.
4.0 COMPETENCES TO BE ASSESSED
The students will be assessed in the following competences:
4.1 Demonstrating mastery of the biological concepts, principles and processes.
4.1.1 describing the physiological, anatomical and ecological processes of living organisms.
4.2 Communicating using scientific biological terminologies.
4.2.1 demonstrating mastery of scientific biological terminologies.
4.3 Conducting biological investigations.
4.3.1 demonstrating mastery of basic skills for conducting biological investigations; and
4.3.2 preparing and presenting the results of biological investigations.
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