CXC: Caribbean Examinations Council

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), set up in 1972, is an institution of the Caribbean community (Caricom) that provides educational certifications in 16 English speaking Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) provides examinations and certification at the secondary and post-secondary levels. The Caribbean Examinations Council offers three levels of examinations and certifications:

The CXC examinations and certification are recognized accepted regionally and internationally. The Participating Territories are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Students after the completion of the secondary school in Barbados sit for CSEC examination and this examination marks the cessation of secondary school education. 

Students who have successfully completed their secondary school and want to go for higher studies can take the CAPE examinations. Pupils appearing for the CAPE exams generally must hold a CSEC or an equivalent certificate. The CAPE is a voluntary qualification used as an entry requirement for tertiary education in Barbados and some other countries as well.