Caribbean Examinations Council at a Glance Ecopy

1. AT A GLANCE

2. Background
In 1972, The Caribbean Examinations
Council (CXC) was established by an
agreement signed by the Governments of
15 English-speaking Commonwealth
Caribbean countries. The Council was born
at a time when British examinations boards
were the leading examining bodies in the
region. It was also a time when countries in
the region were asserting themselves as
independent states or advocating for
independence. The discussion began
during the existence of the West Indies
Federation of (1958-1962), for West Indian
or Caribbean examinations to shape future
development. After seven years of
negotiations, CXC was formed with the aim
of transforming education in the Caribbean.
Offices
CXC operates from two main offices: The
Headquarters or Eastern Zone Office (EZO)
located in Barbados and Western Zone
Office (WZO) located in Jamaica.
Forty-five years later, CXC has 16
English-speaking Participating Countries:
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,
Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St.
Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia St Vincent and the
Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks
and Caicos; and three Dutch-speaking
territories that offer its examinations: Sint
Maarten, Saba and Suriname.
Leadership
Over the years, the Council has enjoyed
distinguished leadership at the Chairman
level. The Chairmanship is held by the Vice
Chancellor or his representative from The
University of the West Indies or the
University of Guyana. The Chairman leads
several committees of Council. Each
Participating Country is represented by
ministry of education and teaching
profession representatives and these
representatives serve on the many
committees of the Council.
Meet the CXC Chairmen
Sir Roy Marshall: 1974-1975
Dr Dennis Irvine: 1975-1979
Mr. A.Z Preston: 1979-1986
The Honourable Sir Roy Augier: 1987-1996
Sir Keith Hunte: 1997-2002
The Most Honourable
Professor Sir Kenneth Hall: 2002-2007
Professor E. Nigel Harris: 2006-2015
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles: 2015- present
Meet the Registrars
The six Registrars who have served the Council
hail from four countries; Barbados, Jamaica, St
Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
Major Rudolph Daniel: 1973
Mrs Irene Walter: 1996-1998
Mr Wilfred Beckles: 1978-1993
Dr Lucy Steward: 1998-2007
Dr Didacus Jules: 2008-2014
Mr Glenroy Cumberbatch: 2015-present
School Based Assessment (SBA)
The SBA is a set of assessment
tasks/assignments/projects conducted in the
school; these are carried out by the student
following guidelines provided by CXC and
assessed by the teacher using criteria provided
by CXC. The SBA contributes to the candidate's
learning and is a critical element in teaching
and learning. SBA forms part of what is referred
to as continuous or formative assessment. The
SBA is not a one-shot assessment; it is an
iterative process in which the student benefits
from constructive feedback from the teacher.
The task/project used for the SBA is something
that is relevant to the student’s experience and
reality. Normally, teachers would work with their
students to agree on an appropriate
task/project which has some meaning to the
student. The student works on the assignment
in stages and receives quality feedback from
the teacher at each stage. Each stage allows
the student an opportunity to add to previous
knowledge and to improve on the previous
draft. The final SBA submission should be the
student’s best work.
CXC® at a Glance

3. The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment
The CPEA is a response to calls from regional Heads of Government for a regional primary exit
examination. The CPEA is an assessment of the key literacies required by all pupils exiting the primary
school system. It focuses on a set of literacies which are common to all primary curricula and are
necessary for pupils to optimize achievement in life and at the next level of education. These include
mathematical literacies, language literacies, civic literacies and scientific literacies.
The CPEA uses a combination of internal and external assessments. The internal assessment comprises
projects, book reports, writing portfolios, student-prepared test, teacher-prepared test and Can-do test.
The external component is a multiple choice test offered by CXC.
CPEA™ SUBJECT LITERACIES
Mathematical
Language
Scientific
Civic

4. Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence
The Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), first offered in 2007, aims to equip
all secondary school students with a core of knowledge skills, attitudes and values that all secondary
school leavers should possess. The certification focuses on mastery of competencies and this is
reflected in the assessment procedures and the format of the performance reports.
CCSLC is a cluster certificate requiring candidates to have five subjects to qualify for the certificate. The
five CCSLC-specific subjects for which syllabuses were developed are English, Integrated Science,
Mathematics, Social Studies and Modern Languages (French and Spanish). CCSLC English and
Mathematics are compulsory in order to obtain the certificate. Maths and English could be combined
with three other subjects from other qualifications such as CSEC Business, CSEC Expressive Arts, CVQ
Level 1 and locally-certified programme to obtain the certificate. Like the CXC-AD, CCSLC could be
completed within two years, however, a candidate has a maximum of five years to complete the
programme. CCSLC uses a three-point grading system: Mastery (75-100), Competent (50-74) and
Developing competence (0-49).
CCSLC® SUBJECTS
English
Mathematics
Integrated Science
French
Spanish
Social Studies

5. Caribbean Vocational Qualification
CVQ STANDARDS LEVELS
Agro-food Processing 1
Aircraft Maintenance Foundation Skills 1
Basic Chaining 1
Building Construction Drafting 1
Carpentry 1
Commercial Food Preparation (Cookery) 1
Commercial Food Preparation (Stewarding) 1
Community Tourism 1
Cricket Pitch And Field Maintenance 1
Crop Production 1
Crop Production – Grow Box Operations 1
Customer Service 1
Dairy Farming Operations 1
Data Operations 1
Drapery Making 1
Early Childhood Development 1
Electrical Installation 1
Entertainment And Events Technology 1
The CVQ is an award which represents the achievement of a set of competencies
that define the essential work practices of an occupational area consistent with the
levels articulated within the regional qualification framework. Schools participate
through the offering of programmes using the approved Regional Occupational
Standards (ROS). These programmes are delivered using the Competency Based
Education Training and Assessment (CBETA) methodologies. In order to be certified,
candidates must demonstrate competence in all the mandatory/core units specified
in Regional Occupational Standards (ROS) for the programme of choice. The ROS are
approved by CARICOM through a process led by the Caribbean Association of
National Training Agencies (CANTA).
As one of the bodies empowered to issue CVQ certificates, CXC® issues certificates
at Levels 1 and 2 to candidates who have completed all the mandatory units for the
occupational area and statements to candidates who have completed only some of
the units.
Among the objectives of the CVQ are to facilitate free movement of skilled certified
workers within the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME), develop in students
the attributes of the ideal Caribbean worker, to enhance the profile and
attractiveness of CARICOM labour force, and to harmonize TVET systems across the
region
In 2017, CXC certified over five thousand candidates in 45 occupation areas.

6. Caribbean Vocational Qualification
Lighting Operations 2
Live Sound Engineering 2
Maintenance Of Parks And Protected Terrestrial Areas 2
Masonry 2
Mechanical Maintenance 2
Metal Work Engineering 2
Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning Systems 2
Motor Vehicle Body Repairs (Cars And Light Trucks) 2
Motor Vehicle Chassis Systems 2
Motor Vehicle Engine Systems 2
Motor Vehicle Steering And Suspension Systems 2
Motor Vehicle Transmission 2
Musical Performance 2
Nail Technology 2
Nursery Care Services 2
Outboard Boat Engine Repair 2
Painting And Decorating 2
Papier Maché Craft 2
Pipefitting 2
Plumbing 2
Printing And Graphic Arts – Computer Graphic Arts 2
Process Plant Operations 2
Rabbit Rearing 2
Reception 2
Recording Engineering 2
Screen Printing 2
Soft Furnishing 2
Steel Pan Manufacturing 2
Steel Pan Tuning 2
Steel-fixing 2
Wall And Ceiling Lining- Drywall Construction 2
Wall And Floor Tiling 2
Welding 2

7. Caribbean Vocational Qualification
Events Management Services (Balloon Craft) 1
Extrusion Operations 1
Fabric Design 1
Fish Handling And Processing 1
Floral Arrangement 1
Fluid Power Equipment Maintenance 1
Front Office (Uniform Services – Bellman) 1
Furniture Finishing 1
Furniture Making 1
Garment Production 1
General Construction 1
General Cosmetology 1
General Office Administration (Office Clerk) 1
Housekeeping (Houseman) 1
Housekeeping (Laundry Attendant) 1
Information Technology Usage And Support 1
Inland Aquaculture Operations-tilapia Production 1
Library And Information Services (Library Clerk) 1
Light Metal Fabrication 1
Livestock Rearing 1
Masonry 1
Meat And Seafood Handling 1
Mechanical Maintenance 1
Metal Work Engineering 1
Motor Rewinding 1
Motor Vehicle Care And Conditioning 1
Motor Vehicle Chassis Systems 1
Motor Vehicle Engine Systems 1
Motor Vehicle Repairs (Cars And Light Trucks) 1
Musical Performance 1
Ornamental Aquaculture Operations 1
Photography 1
Plumbing 1
Power Generation (Stand-by) 1
Power Line Construction And Maintenance (Distribution) 1
Printing And Graphic Arts – Computer Graphic Arts 1
Property And Facilities Maintenance (Building Maintenance) 1
Reception 1
Small Appliance Repairs 1
Small Engine Repairs 1
Soft Furnishing 1
Soil Testing 1
Steel Pan Manufacturing 1
Technical Assistance In Tv And Video Production 1
Tree Crop Farming 1

8. Caribbean Vocational Qualification
Upholstery 1
Wastewater Process Plant Operations 1
Water Process Plant Operations 1
Welding 1
Agro-food Processing 2
Allied Health – Geriatric Caregiver 2
Allied Health – Health Care Assistance (Patient Care) 2
Amenity Horticulture 2
Aquaculture Grow Out Operations 2
Audio & Visual Editing Operations 2
Bamboo Weaving 2
Brick/block-laying, Rendering 2
Butchery 2
Camera Operations 2
Carpentry 2
Ceramic Production 2
Civil Construction (Material Handling Operations) 2
Community Tourism 2
Concreting 2
Concreting/steel-fixing 2
Cosmetology 2
Cricket Pitch And Field Maintenance 2
Crop Production 2
Custom Services 2
Customer Service 2
Data Operations 2
Design & Construction Of Lingerie & Sleepwear 2
Early Childhood Development 2
Electrical Installation 2
Extrusion Operations (Plastics) 2
Fish Handling And Processing 2
Floor Covering & Finishing – Carpet Laying 2
Floor Covering & Finishing – Resilient 2
Floor Covering & Finishing – Timber 2
Fluid Power Equipment Maintenance 2
Food And Beverage – Bar Service (Bartending) 2
Furniture Making 2
General Construction 2
Health Screening 2
Home Furnishings Production (Fabric) 2
Instrumentation And Control 2
Jewellery Production (Leather) 2
Jewellery Production (Seeds) 2
Leather Goods Manufacturing 2
Library And Information Services (Library Assistant) 2

9. The Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate
CXC offered its first examinations in 1979. The Caribbean Secondary Education
Certificate or CSEC was offered in five subjects: English A, Geography, History,
Mathematics and Integrated Science. Since then, the CSEC offering has grown to 33
subjects in 2017 at both General and Technical Proficiencies. CSEC uses a six-point
grading scale post-1998 (prior to 1998, a five-point scale was used) with Grade I being
the highest grade and Grade VI being the lowest grade. Grades I-III are acceptable
grades at CSEC.
Current CSEC subjects are Additional Mathematics, Agricultural Science (Double
Award and Single Award), Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, French,
Spanish, Information Technology, Industrial Technology (Electrical, Mechanical and
Building) Principles of Business, Food, Nutrition and Health, Family and Resource
Management, Principles of Accounts, Mathematics, English A, English B, Integrated
Science, Geography, Theatre Arts, Music, Textiles, Clothing and Fashion, Religious
Education, Technical Drawing, Social Studies, Physics, Human and Social Biology,
Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Visual Arts, Office
Administration, Portuguese, and Physical Education and Sport.
Additional Mathematics
Agriculture Science (SA)
Biology
Principles of Business
Chemistry
Principles of Accounts
English A
Social Studies
Economics
Geography
Information Technology
Spanish
Integrated Science
Physics
Mathematics
Agriculture Science (DA)
Office Administration
Building Construction
Caribbean History
Textiles, Clothing and Fashion
Electrical & Electronic Technology
English (B)
Food, Nutrition and Health
French
Family and Resource Management
Music
Religious Education
Technical Drawing
Portuguese
Theatre Arts
Visual Arts
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Physical Education and Sport
Electronic Document Preparation
and Management
CSEC® SUBJECTS

10. Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
Caribbean Studies
Communication Studies
Integrated Mathematics
Accounting
Applied Mathematics
History
Art and Design
Physics
Law
Sociology
Spanish
Biology
Management of Business
Literatures in English
Integrated Mathematics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Technology Environmental Science
French
Geography
Geometrical and Mechanical
Engineering Drawing
Food and Nutrition
Information Technology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Pure Mathematics
Economics
Agricultural Science
Entrepreneurship
Digital Media
Physical Education and Sport
Performing Arts
Logistics and Supply Chain Operations
Animation and Game Design
Green Engineering
Financial Services Studies
In 1998, CXC expanded its reach in examinations by targeting
post-secondary school candidates with the introduction of
the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
CAPE was CXC’s response to a mandate from Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Ministers responsible for Education a
regional examination that would be at least equivalent in
standard to the ‘A’ level, but differing from the ‘A’ level in its
philosophical assumptions and, consequently, its structure.
CAPE provides a unified system of certification designed to
encompass current arrangements in sixth forms and to
articulate with programmes at community colleges and
universities across the region.
CAPE brings academic, technical and vocational courses of
study within a single system of certification. Initially, nine
Two-Unit subjects were offered for CAPE, currently, 67 Units
are offered in 35. Each Unit comprises three modules and
each module contains several topics.
The current CAPE subjects are: Accounting, Applied
Mathematics, History, Art and Design, Physics, Law,
Sociology, Spanish, Biology, Management of Business,
Literatures in English, Integrated Mathematics, Electrical and
Electronic Engineering Technology, Environmental Science,
French, Geography, Geometrical and Mechanical
Engineering Drawing, Food and Nutrition, Information
Technology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Pure
Mathematics, Economics, Agricultural Science,
Entrepreneurship, Digital Media, Tourism, Physical Education
and Sport, Performing Arts, Logistics and Supply Chain
Operations, Animation and Game Design, Green Engineering
and Financial Services Studies.
CAPE uses a seven-point grading scale where Grade I
represents an excellent grasp and Grade VII a very limited
grasp of principles, concepts and skills. Grades I-V are
acceptable grades at CAPE.
CAPE® SUBJECTS

11. CXC® – Associate Degree
CXC Associate Degrees were first awarded in 2006 becoming CXC’s second
post-secondary qualification. The degrees are awarded based on performance in
eight CAPE units with Caribbean Studies, Communication Studies and Integrated
Mathematics (for non-Maths students) being compulsory Units. Four degrees are
offered with various specialisations: Business Studies, Humanities, Natural and
Social Science and Applied Science. While the CXC-AD can be completed in two
years of full-time study, candidates have up to five years to complete the programme.

12. The CXC “logo” • Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination® • Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate®
Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence® • CXC® • CSEC® • CAPE® and CCSLC®
are registered trademarks of the Caribbean Examinations Council.
HEADQUARTERS
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Kingston 5, Jamaica
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