83,607 candidates to sit CSEC and CAPE

A total of 83,607 candidates will sit examinations in the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)-administered Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) set to begin next week. The examinations will be held in 260 centres across the island.

"Additional writing paper will be given upon request to those candidates who have used up the space provided in the answer booklets. This will apply to those subjects being e-marked," a release from the Ministry of Education said.

CXC had previously announced that no extra paper would be provided, but reversed the decisions after public outcry. The restriction was announced as CXC expands its electronic marking system. Twenty-three CAPE and 25 CSEC subjects will be marked electronically this year.

remind candidates

The ministry has said all supervisors have been trained and assigned to their respective centres. The ministry has also moved to remind candidates that mobile phones are not allowed in the examination rooms or centres.

"Regarding identification cards (ID), private candidates are reminded that only national IDs are acceptable and these include passport, driver's licence, and national voter's ID. Candidates are required to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of examinations to ensure adequate time for seating and administration. All examination sessions will start 9 o'clock for the morning session and 1 o'clock for the evening session. Candidates arriving 30 minutes or more after the start of an examination will not be allowed to sit the examination," the release said.