CXC: Exam concerns unfounded

The Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has sought to dispel concerns related to one of its Chemistry tests taken by students this month.

Concerns were raised that the questions on the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Chemistry Unit 2 Paper, which was conducted on May 9 across the region, focused on material from the CAPE Chemistry Unit 1 syllabus, and not from the Unit 2.

But the council gave assurance on Friday that its investigations of the matter proved otherwise.

“These investigations have determined that the questions on the CAPE Chemistry Unit 2 Paper 02 examination, were indeed designed for candidates to demonstrate knowledge of material covered by the CAPE Chemistry Unit 2 syllabus,” CXC said in a statement.

“As we continue to listen to the concerns by engaging with stakeholders, we stand by our robust quality assurance system which includes qualified professionals at all stages of the examination development process, ensuring the efficacy of the examinations.”

It stressed that this system also allows for adjustments during the marking and grading process to ensure that candidates are not negatively affected by circumstances outside of their control.

The CXC notes that the integrity of its assessments is critical to candidates and to the currency of its qualifications, in keeping with the council’s mission to develop the human capital of the Caribbean people through partnerships for global competitiveness.

The exam body explained that it was its recognition of the anxiety among candidates and parents arising from the concerns, that spurred it into launching an immediate investigation into this matter. (EJ/PR)