The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has announced major changes to its School-Based Assessment (SBA) system, including the phased removal of the traditional SBA for most non-practical CSEC and CAPE subjects, citing the growing impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological advances.
The reforms, which take effect from the 2027 academic year, are aimed at protecting the integrity of CXC qualifications while adapting to changes in education.
CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr Wayne Wesley said the decision is not about rejecting AI but ensuring student assessments remain credible.
“The integrity of our qualifications is not negotiable,” Dr Wesley said, noting that while the SBA has served students for nearly 50 years, the current system can no longer consistently verify authentic student work.
Under the new framework, practical subjects such as Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Music, Physical Education, Technical Drawing, and Food, Nutrition and Health will retain the SBA, with stronger moderation measures.
However, non-practical subjects—including Mathematics, English, Caribbean History, Social Studies, and Principles of Business—will transition to Paper 032, an assessment completed under examination conditions.
The new format will still encourage research and critical thinking by giving students their topics about one month in advance, allowing additional time to complete the assessment, and permitting reference notes in the examination room.
CXC Director of Operations Dr Nicole Manning said the revised assessment preserves reflective learning while strengthening confidence in the authenticity of students’ work.
She stressed that maintaining the credibility of CXC qualifications is in the best interest of students, parents, educators, employers and universities across the region.
The rollout will begin with CAPE candidates in non-practical subjects in the May-June 2027 examinations.
For CSEC candidates, schools will have the option of using either the traditional SBA or Paper 032 in 2027, before Paper 032 becomes mandatory for all non-practical subjects in the May-June 2028 examination cycle.
CXC also confirmed that SBA scores will continue to be transferable under the existing two-year policy, while Paper 032 scores will also become transferable from 2027.
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