07/10/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 08:17
For those outside the region, the initials "CXC" might sound like a secret code. But if you grew up in the Caribbean, chances are you've heard about it at least a thousand times-or taken one of its exams yourself. The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is the main regional body responsible for academic and vocational assessments at the secondary and post-secondary levels. As professors Erica Gordon and Patrick E. Bryan have shown, its creation marked a pivotal shift toward regional control over educational assessments, moving away from the historical reliance on British examinations.
In this blog, discover how CXC's certificates serve as an entry point to higher education and career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students each year. More recently, CXC has introduced several innovations in its assessment process that can inspire other countries seeking to modernize their own education systems.
Established to reflect the Caribbean's unique context, CXC offers an example of how a region can design an education assessment system that reflects its own identity and needs. Built by and for the Caribbean, CXC assessments are aligned with local curricula and values, ensuring that what is being measured corresponds to what is taught in schools, and that the qualifications awarded reflect regional priorities for the skills needed in today's Caribbean region. Its certifications are recognized across 16 countries within the region but also outside of the Caribbean , contributing to regional integration by expanding educational and employment opportunities for young people.
CXC also moves beyond traditional exam models by incorporating School-Based Assessments (SBAs) into its most widely used exams. The SBAs allow students to demonstrate their learning through projects and coursework completed during the school year, meaning their performance is not assessed through a single high-stakes exam. This approach encourages deeper engagement and provides a more comprehensive picture of students' skills. SBAs don't come without challenges, particularly around consistency in how teachers grade students' work. To address this concern and help ensure fairness, CXC provides teacher training and reviews a sample of student work from each school to check that grading aligns with CXC's criteria.
CXC has also embraced digital transformation by launching key innovations over the years, such as e-testing, e-marking, and blockchain-based certificates. E-testing allows students to take exams electronically, while e-marking enables examiners to grade responses digitally through a secure online platform. Blockchain-based certificates provide students with secure and tamper-proof digital records of their certifications, which universities and employers can easily verify. Together, these innovations reduce reliance on paper, speed up grading, results processing, and certification - all of which significantly reduce costs over time. They also improve transparency by supporting more standardized grading, reducing the risk of human error, and protecting against document loss or manipulation.
E-testing also has the potential to improve access by reducing geographical barriers: students in rural or remote no longer need to travel long distances or relocate to take their exams. They can sit for exams from their homes, schools, or nearby community centers, although for this potential to be fully realized, countries need to continue working to bridge the gap in device and connectivity access between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
CXC administered its first exam in 1979 with the launch of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), which initially offered five subjects tailored for Caribbean students (Mathematics, English, Geography, History, and Integrated Science). Nearly 5 decades later, students can choose from 33 subjects, and CSEC remains the most widely taken secondary-level exam in the region. For example, in 2023 124,856 candidates sat the exam in 2023, registering for an average of 4.4 subjects. CSEC is primarily used to certify the completion of secondary education, and a minimum of five CSEC passes, including Math and English, is often required for certain job positions, post-secondary programs such as teacher training colleges, and as a prerequisite for scholarships.
In 1998, CXC introduced the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) as a regional alternative to the UK's A-levels or the U.S. Advanced Placement System. CAPE is a full program of study offered over one to two years. While students may register as private candidates, it is most commonly taken through formal instruction at the sixth form, or at post-secondary institutions. CAPE offers 22 two-unit subjects spanning areas such as finance, sciences, humanities, and technology. This wide range of options allows students to earn certifications that align more closely with their academic and career goals. While CXC does not deliver CAPE content directly, it designs the curriculum for all subjects, defines the assessment structure, and issues the final certificates. In 2023, 26,369 candidates sat for CAPE exams, registering for an average of 3.8 subjects each. CAPE qualifications are widely recognized across the region, and students who pass ten units are eligible to receive a CXC Associate Degree. Furthermore, CAPE passes are used for university admission, scholarships, and certain job applications.
Over the years, CXC has also introduced new qualifications. The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) was launched in October 2007 and is a competency-based certification based on occupational standards designed by industry experts and approved by Caribbean Community or in short CARICOM. Unlike traditional academic exams, the CVQ assesses whether candidates can apply both technical knowledge and practical skills to perform real-world tasks in specific occupational fields, such as food preparation, data operations, welding, customer service, and garment production. Students can prepare for the CVQ through school-based programs, vocational institutions, or workplace training. The certification is awarded once they demonstrate full competence in the required tasks for their chosen field. The CVQ is organized into five levels, ranging from entry-level positions to supervisory and managerial roles, helping learners advance within their chosen careers.
Check below all the assessments offered by CXC.
Examination | Age Group | Purpose / Global Equivalent |
Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Education (CSEC) | 15-16 | Equivalent to GCSEs or a high school diploma |
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) | 17-19 | Equivalent to A-Levels/AP; for university entry |
Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) |
13-15 | Foundational skills certification |
Caribbean Vocational Certification (CVQ) | Varies | Skills-based vocational certification |
Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) | Primary Education | Primary school exit assessment (some countries) |
Source: https://www.cxc.org/about/cxc-at-a-glance/
Educational pathways. CXC exams are internationally recognized credentials that provide access to further education, such as teaching training colleges, associate degrees, or university-level programs. For candidates from low-income or marginalized communities, earning at least 5 CSEC passes can be a turning point, enabling them to become the first college student in their family or secure higher-paying roles that were previously out of reach. Also, all CXC's assessments are open to private candidates, including adults, out-of-school learners, and homeschoolers, making them more accessible.
Workforce mobility. CXC's certifications are internationally recognized, supporting the movement of professionals in the Caribbean - an important asset in a region where job opportunities may be uneven. They also help individuals access better opportunities within their own countries by serving as formal proof of qualifications.
Teacher training. While CXC doesn't certify teachers, it supports them through curriculum training, workshops, examiner training, and other learning opportunities, many now delivered via webinars and online platforms. These sessions enhance teachers' assessment literacy and promote more consistent teaching and grading practices across the region.
As CXC approaches its fifth decade, it continues to adapt to today's rapidly changing educational landscape, with some key reforms:
CXC shows how a small region like the Caribbean can take meaningful steps in rethinking how education is assessed and recognized. Its recent initiatives show how CXC is responding to global trends and working to reshape the Caribbean's educational future. While challenges remain, the next chapter promises to be as transformative as the last.