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7. Review of May/June 2017 CSEC and CAPE Results

There was a presentation to the committee on the May/June 2017 Exams Results.
The CSEC data presented revealed that:-
a) there was a reduction in absences for May/June 2017 CXC Exams
b) more females than males were registered to sit the examinations
c) statistics for 2016 and 2017 showed a significant increase in females being entered
to write technical proficiency subjects.

It was also revealed that females performed marginally better than males in 2017.

The committee noted that performances at CAPE showed an increase in the pass rate for
2016/2017 even though there was a reduction in the number of males and females taking both
Unit I and Unit II.

He explained that the pass rate for Principles of Accounting in females was higher than the
pass rate for males.

Some members felt that CXC was changing the curve for Principles of Business which now
consists of three core subjects and they expressed concerns at the reduction in markers. It
was revealed that they were only three (3) markers for Principles of Business and it took two
(2) extra weeks to complete marking that exam. The committee noted the statistics for
May/June 2017 examinations and expressed concerns that once again, there were a high
number of requests for queries and Script Reviews.

The members felt that CXC should examine these questions, since they may have
implications for the credibility of the marking process.

The Committee observed that the 2017 English B pass rate was lower this year than last year
whereas the Mathematics pass rate remained the same. The Business subjects pass rate also
improved this year while the science subjects pass rate declined this year when compared
with last year. However, it was observed that chemistry realized a slight increase in
performance. There was also a noticeable decline in persons who took languages this year
over last year, and this was reflected in the application information.

The statistics showed that there was a general decline in History and Geography subjects and
the members felt that removing Geography and History from the lower schools are now
impacting at the CAPE Level, since the students are showing a lack of interest in them, and
the CAPE results shows that students are finding it difficult to manage these subjects at that
level.

The Chairman stated that the problems associated with Geography and History is a cause for
concern throughout the Region and is slated to be discussed at the next Subsec meetings.

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