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 If the number of students is large in a center, with respect to facilities, then multiple
sessions lengthen the day, so these examinations need to be scheduled in the morning.
Similar for TD, GMED and related technical subjects that require use of the same
facilities and equipment. Hence these subjects cannot be time-tabled to run in the
afternoon.
10. Administrative issues as reported by the Supervisor of Examinations: Late delivery of
and tardy communication of critical information and documents severely hampered the
quality of arrangements for implementation of examination. These included: E marking
labels, stock materials, CSEC Special Concession and Moderators’ contracts and overall
poor communication in addressing queries and requests for assistance. All of these were
communicated in the June report.
11. Remuneration of Markers. Unacceptably late payments and a poor fee structure have
deterred the recruitment and turn of experienced markers. Concern is expressed therefore
with the quality and participation levels of markers.
In 2017 CXC prepared new contracts for Moderators of the Performing Arts which
require them to pay for travel in neighboring islands to conduct the moderation exercise.
The actual cost incurred exceeded the budgeted cost from CXC. A further hardship was
incurred as moderators had to advance payments for hotel and travel and then claim post-
moderation.

Several issues specifically concerning payment for CSEC Oral Exams (paper 3) and
Reading for paper 1:
o small remuneration which hasn’t changed for over a decade;
o delay in payment of remuneration;
o non-payment for all teachers reading for Paper 1, paid in other territories.

CSEC Orals Exams: this is a yearly exercise so it is predictable in nature. It means that
provision can be made to allow for a swift payment of teachers. Consideration of an
increase is desirable: currently the fee per candidate is $5 and the Oral exam is $150 per
day. Consider a fee per candidate increase to $8 as a good start.
12. Comments on the 2017 CSEC and CAPE examination papers.
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The pre-marking report tendered on 27 June 2017 by the Trinidad and Tobago National
CXC Committee, aimed to highlight issues related to the design of the examinations so
that recommendations may be considered. Emphasis is given to the construction of the
test item: clarity of instructions, language requirements, consistency with syllabus
coverage in terms of scope and rigor of treatment. The report captured issues raised in
nine (9) subject at the CSEC level and fourteen (14) subjects (unit 1 and 2 treated as
individual subjects) at the CAPE level. The issues raised range from selection and
applicability of stimulus materials both in terms of content of item as well as suitability
to target students, usage of terminology, presentation, accuracy and completeness of data
(symbols, formulae, graphs, diagrams, tables), clarity of instructions, broad interpretation
of syllabus objectives to extrapolate beyond what is a reasonable expectation, outright
exceeding the syllabus requirements as explicitly stated, item weighting and distribution
of marks.

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