Page 14 - 2020 CXC Annual Report

CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2020

World Class Exams

Examinations Administration and Security (EAS)

38. The distribution process for semi-secure material was 42. The Council also established a Bring-Your-Own-Device
interrupted as national lockdowns took effect in Barbados (BYOD) policy which allowed candidates to use their own
and Jamaica. The printing of the candidates’ individual devices during the examinations. This policy included
timetables was delayed furthered awaiting the finalised stringent guidelines to ensure that this adoption would not
timetable dates. Fortunately, the timetables were printed facilitate fraud. To this end, candidates wishing to make
in adequate time for distribution. Similar to last year, about use of this policy were required to present their device
half of the printing activities was assigned to the Western for inspection prior to the examination and were required
Zone Office. to consent to the possible removal of any unauthorised
materials. It should be noted that during the examination,
Electronic Testing the activation of the Safe Exam Browser (SEB) would
39. In keeping with the Council’s strategy of expanding its prevent candidates from accessing other materials. Only
e-Testing programme, orientation and training sessions one centre in Jamaica utilised this facility.
were held for new Ministry officials and Chief Invigilators.
Due to the restrictions brought on by the pandemic 43. Local Registrars in the territories in which Thin Client
most of the training was conducted virtually. There was technology is currently deployed: Guyana, Jamaica,
one onsite session held in March in Barbados. CXC® Trinidad & Tobago participated in a webinar designed to
management is very pleased with the interest generated demonstrate the use of this technology with the e-testing
in the e-testing modality as the first webinar on e-testing platform. However, this modality was not used in 2020.
conducted attracted more than 10 000 registrants.
44. Table 6 shows the distribution of test sessions and
40. There was continued improvement in the test publication territories that participated in e-Testing for the July-August
process between the e-QBank and the e-Testing platform cycle by Level. There was 31% decrease in the number of
this cycle, and all tests were deployed as planned and examinations sat in electronic mode when compared to
started on schedule. the May-June 2019 period. It should be noted that there
were four subjects which all candidates were required to
41. During the July-August 2020 session, the LIVE e-Testing write electronically: CAPE® Animation & Gaming, CAPE®
platform performed well. A version control issue with the Digital Media, CSEC® EDPM and CSEC® Information
Safe Exam Browser (SEB) proved to be a major challenge Technology Paper 3/2.
for some territories. This problem arose because of a
change made by the software provider without prior
notification. Minor challenges with failed infrastructure
(power, internet and devices) were compensated for by
allocating ‘incident extra-time’. In a few cases, candidates
reverted to the paper examination.

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