Page 15 - SUBSEC October 2017_Neat

ITEM 9: CHANGES TO THE FORMAT OF CXC’S EXAMINATIONS

48. The SUBSEC was informed that CXC currently offers 123 examinations characterized by
two to four papers inclusive of an SBA for the CAPE® and two to three papers for the CSEC®
also inclusive of an SBA. Members were reminded of the Council’s Assessment Policy which
states that, “CXC is committed to providing fair and valid examinations, reliable results and
internationally recognized certification for learners of all ages, abilities and interests, as well as
services to stakeholders in the development of cost-effective assessment products and services that
meet or exceed their expectations.” The SUBSEC heard that there were opportunities for
improvement related to the use of optional questions on constructed response papers and the
prioritization of the multi-method multi-trait method in designing CXC assessment.

49. The SUBSEC considered the source of optional questions which adversely affect the
content and consequential validity of the examination as well as the practical consequences.
Members noted that to optimize coverage in CXC examinations, provisions in the CXC
Assessment Policy made for:

I. adopting the multi‐method multi‐trait methodology (Clause vi)

a. achieve breadth of coverage by extending the utilization of multiple choice items

b. include a constructed response or practical paper, and a school based assessment
paper and alternate

II. adopting an evidence‐centered approach to designing assessments (Clause viii)

recognizing the nexus between learning and assessment, design of the latter will
start with the claims made in the syllabus, then proceed with identifying the
evidence, then tasks, required to comprise the measurement instrument on which
the performance and certification will be based.

49. The SUBSEC endorsed:

I. the recently approved CXC Assessment Policy with its provisions for enhancing
assessment design;

II. the proposal for discontinuing the use of optional questions in CXC examinations; and

III. the proposal to extend the use of multiple choice papers and alternate to SBA papers.

50. Dr McLean thanked Dr Wright for her presentation and registered her acceptance of the
proposal going forward. She however enquired whether the Assessment Policy had gone through
the process of discussion and approval by the appropriate committee. Dr McLean also raised the
issue of the bulletin sent out to stakeholders indicating changes which were made as it relates to
optional questions. She informed SUBSEC that the bulletin created great dissatisfaction among
stakeholders in Jamaica who felt that they were not given adequate notice. Dr McLean enquired

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