The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment replaced the Common Entrance Exam in 2022 as a better-suited alternative. The Education Minister asserts that the CPEA is better at training students in the core competencies required for adulthood and is proud of the government’s switch.

“I remain resolute in my stance as Minister for Education that the CPEA, with its two-component configuration, is by far a more progressive form of assessment of student achievement than the obsolete and traumatic one-shot common entrance exam. The CPEA provides for a more accurate account of student achievements and competencies,” he said.

Alongside the introduction of the CPEA was the reintroduction of the one-laptop-per-child programme.

Having encountered some challenges during its inaugural year in 2022, students are now performing better, with improved overall.

“From the results obtained, a total of 1,112 candidates are operating above the national mean, and 910 candidates operating below the national mean. There was an increase in both the external and internal component performances. The national mean moved from the 74.2 obtained last year to 77.08 this sitting, an increase of 3.6%. Not only did the national mean increase, but improvements in all the individual subject areas were also recorded.”

The Minister reminds educators of their duty in ensuring students receive all the benefits of the exam process. 

“However, for the CPEA to work effectively, it ought not to be a function of grade six or the examination year, but instead a process in which competencies are developed and skills nurtured. There is more to the CPEA than grade six,” he said.

2022 students sat the exam this year.