Students take Common Entrance Examination today

It’s that time of year again for the nation’s youngsters.

A time when the nervously chewed pencils and fingernails of Grade 6 students everywhere are only rivalled by those of their parents; and when headteachers perch behind their desks with fingers crossed, hoping that one of their students takes the top spot.{{more}}

Yes, it’s Common Entrance Examination (CEE) time.

Today, June 3, over 2,000 students are expected to sit multiple choice papers in English Language, Mathematics and General Paper. They already wrote the Composition component on May 27, and have also been assessed in Reading.

This year, 1,077 boys and 1,024 girls will sit the examination – in comparison to last year when there were 1,144 boys and 1,051 girls.

However, the total numbers of students this year (2,101) has fallen from 2010, when 2,161 students sat the examination. In 2009, there were 2,327 students.

In 2010, the rate of those who met the prescribed standard was 57.61 per cent; with the highest total score being 95.75 per cent, and 242 students scoring 80 per cent or more.

In 2009, the rate of those who met the prescribed standard was 51.27 per cent; with the highest total score being 94.35 per cent, and 163 students scoring 80 per cent or more.

Last year, the St Mary’s Roman Catholic School took the top spot with Abigail Scott, while Richard John, of the Kingstown Preparatory School, took the top spot in 2009.

As well as determining the attained educational standard of each child, it is primarily used to place students in the secondary school system. The top 500 who place will be entered ino the schools of their choice.

All others will be allocated to schools nearest their homes.