2 767 to sit 11-Plus exam

A total of 2 767 students are registered to sit the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE) 2026, set to be written on Tuesday, May 5, at 21 secondary schools across the island.

The figure represents a decline from 2,981 candidates in 2025 and 3 011 in 2024, according to the Ministry of Education Transformation.

The ministry also confirmed that 25 candidates have requested permission to sit the examination at age 10, while 90 candidates have requested a deferral from this year’s exam.

In addition, there has been a notable increase in requests for special consideration, with 246 submissions received this year compared to 183 in 2025 and 180 in 2024.

These requests include provisions such as scribes, large print papers, readers, extra time and exemptions.

The BSSEE, commonly known as the 11-Plus, is the national examination used to place students into secondary schools.