Caribbean Examinations Council announces changes to School Based Assessments for non-practical based subjects

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has announced changes to the School Based Assessments (SBA) for non-practical based subjects, starting next year.

CXC says that the major reforms to its SBA framework is aimed at strengthening assessment integrity across Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

This in response to the rapid rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations.

CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wayne wesley pointed out that the move is not intended to resist the use of generative AI in the learning process.

Rather, its to safeguard the integrity of the assessment process, as learners and the regional education system continues to adjust to the scale of the impact of AI on education.

Dr. Wesley expressed that when the system that was designed to assess a student’s work can no longer reliably do so, there is an obligation to act, and to act decisively.

In the meantime, CXC’s Director of Operations, Dr. Nicole Manning explained that SBA’s for practical areas will be retained.

Dr. Manning said for the non practical subjects, paper three two, the alternative assessment will be used.

The transition takes effect in 2027 for CAPE students and for CSEC students, schools will be given the option to decide on if the transition is made in the 2027 examinations.

Full implementation for this category of students will take effect in 2028.