REGIONAL: Improved pass rates for CXC Mathematics & English
According to data released from the regional examining body, Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), there were more passes in this year’s CSEC Mathematics and English exams when compared to 2022.
The official results for the May/June 2023 exams were released on Thursday, August 24 and CXC Director of Operations, Dr Nicole Manning, in presenting the results at a ceremony hosted in St Kitts and Nevis said the non-submissions of School Based Assessments (SBA’s) remains a concern.
The increase represented the highest pass rate since 2021 with some 43 per cent of students receiving a passing grade for Mathematics while 78 per cent of students who sat the English exam received a Grade I, II or II. This was an increase of six per cent when compared to last year for Mathematics and a seven per cent increase for English.
Dr. Manning said the candidates did better overall this year however there are some subject areas that need better attention as well as the school based assessments.
“While we had a 90,299 candidates required to submit [CAPE] SBA’s, we saw a one percent increase over the previous year and this, in terms of the non-submission of SBA’s, is a concern for us. We are going around to stakeholders and we are encouraging not only the students, the principals, the teachers but the parents to work with the students in completing those SBA’s.”
She noted that for 2023, CXC reduced the amount of requirements for CAPE SBA’s.
“The missing SBA’s are a concern because no submission means Ungraded. School Based Assessment is more than just having the candidates do something – it is an experience and I want our schools and our parents to understand that.”
For the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC), there was a 92.4 percent submission for SBA’s.
“Yes we saw a reduction in the percentage of candidates not submitting SBA’s to teachers but it is still a concern. We would love to see one year we stand here and it is zero percent.”
Other concerns were also raised during the presentation including absenteeism and irregularities such as cheating, use of mobile phones, smart watches and impersonation.
There were 36 cases of irregularities this year, compared to 37 last year and 30 in 2021. In the CAPE exams there was a significant increase from two in 2022 to 17 this year. However, there was a reduction in CSEC exam irregularities this year- 19 compared to 35 last year.
Dr Manning said the use of cellular phones is still the biggest issue.
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