CXC: Caribbean Examinations Council
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) was set up in 1972 by an agreement among 16 English speaking Commonwealth Caribbean Countries and Territories. The CXC headquarters is based in Barbados.
The Caribbean Examination Council is an institution of the Caribbean Community (CariCom). The CXC operates to provide regionally and internationally recognised secondary school leaving examinations applicable to the region or zone. It also gives advice to the regional government on matters related to education.
The first examinations of CXC were conducted in 1979 that assessed the academic, technical and vocational knowledge and skills of the students. The Caribbean Examination Council conducted the first Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) in 1998 in a wide range of subjects.
The examinations offered by Caribbean Examination Council have replaced the UK- based General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations that was earlier taken by pupils at the secondary educational level.
The CXC is administered and regulated by a Council that consists of representatives from each participating country, i.e. 16 countries and territories, and daily activities of the Council are overseen by a Registrar.
Participating Countries
The Participating Countries and 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
- Turks and Caicos Islands
CXC Examinations
The CXC offers exams and certifications at the secondary and tertiary levels. These are:
Caribbean Secondary Examinations (CSEC): The CSEC is taken at the end of secondary education level. This exam is for high school level. The CSEC examinations are equivalent to the Ordinary Level (O-Levels) examinations and are for pupils aged 16 and above.
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams (CAPE): The CAPE is for the tertiary or junior-college level. It is for the post-secondary candidates who are going to enter the job market and for those students who desire to go for further studies at the tertiary education level. Students who have completed their secondary level studies, and have CSEC or an equivalent certification are eligible for this examination. The CAPE is equivalent to the British Advanced Levels (A-levels).
The examination may vary by region. The CSECs are usually looked as an employment qualification verifying the holder as a secondary school graduate; and the CAPE is regarded as an appropriate qualification for admission into tertiary education.
CXC Results
The results and performance in the school reports are uploaded every year on the CXC website. Results are also available in the CXC local registrar. To know about the results of the candidates, visit the official website of CXC: www.cxc.org
CXC Assessment
The performance of candidates is evaluated in a Terminal Exam as well as Internal Assessment (IA) that is known as School Based Assessment (SBA).
The internal assessment refers to the skills, knowledge and attitude gained through activities performed during the school studies. The internal assessment of the pupils is considered in the final grade awarded.
CXC Examinations Registration
To register for CXC exams, visit the CXC website: www.cxc.org